Copy and paste these emails into your email's "To:" field for quick contact.

City of Winnipeg

mayor@winnipeg.ca, mattallard@winnipeg.ca, jbrowaty@winnipeg.ca, markuschambers@winnipeg.ca, readie@winnipeg.ca, sdobson@winnipeg.ca, cgilroy@winnipeg.ca, eduncan@winnipeg.ca, jlukes@winnipeg.ca, bmayes@winnipeg.ca, rwyatt@winnipeg.ca, jorlikow@winnipeg.ca, srollins@winnipeg.ca, vsantos@winnipeg.ca

City of Selkirk

CitizenSupport@cityofselkirk.com, mayor@cityofselkirk.com, councillorasmith@cityofselkirk.com, councillorkcook@cityofselkirk.com, councillorlfiddler@cityofselkirk.com, councillorjbuffie@cityofselkirk.com, councillordswiderski@cityofselkirk.com, councillordpoirier@cityofselkirk.com

Town of Niverville

feedback@whereyoubelong.ca, myron.dyck@whereyoubelong.ca, chris.wiebe@whereyoubelong.ca, kevin.stott@whereyoubelong.ca, john.funk@whereyoubelong.ca, nathan.braun@whereyoubelong.ca

Town of Stonewall

info@stonewall.ca, ssmith@stonewall.ca, pbullivant@stonewall.ca, wbadger@stonewall.ca, rmaryniuk@stonewall.ca, knewman@stonewall.ca

Rural Municipality of Cartier

info@rmofcartier.ca, reeve.vannmitchell@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.krahn@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.nixon@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.lachance@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.bouchard@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.laramee@rmofcartier.ca

Rural Municipality of East St. Paul

info@eaststpaul.com, carla.devlin@eaststpaul.com, brian.imhoff@eaststpaul.com, orest.horechko@eaststpaul.com, brian.duval@eaststpaul.com, charles.posthumus@eaststpaul.com

Rural Municipality of Headingley

info@rmofheadingley.ca, jrbsn106@gmail.com, roche4headingley@gmail.com, yolandef@shaw.ca, greimer@shaw.ca

Village of Dunnottar

info@dunnottar.ca, rosalynhoward@dunnottar.ca, jimkotowich@dunnottar.ca, kathymagnusson@dunnottar.ca

Rural Municipality of Macdonald

info@rmofmacdonald.com, brad.erb@rmofmacdonald.com, michael.blight@rmofmacdonald.com, dennis.dumas@rmofmacdonald.com, jeffery.milian@rmofmacdonald.com, dwayne.toews@rmofmacdonald.com, jim.wilks@rmofmacdonald.com

Rural Municipality of Ritchot

info@ritchot.com, chris.ewen@ritchot.com, shane.pelletier@ritchot.com, janine.boulanger@ritchot.com, ron.mamchuk@ritchot.com, curtis.claydon@ritchot.com

Rural Municipality of Rockwood

admin@rockwood.ca, wes.taplin@rockwood.ca, grant.shepell@rockwood.ca, doug.oliver@rockwood.ca, eric.mcpherson@rockwood.ca, bill.brooker@rockwood.ca

Rural Municipality of Rosser

admin@rmofrosser.com, frances.smee@rmofrosser.com, kirk.barteaux@rmofrosser.com, howard.mcdougald@rmofrosser.com, barry.mazur@rmofrosser.com, george.gray@rmofrosser.com

Rural Municipality of Springfield

info@rmofspringfield.ca, patrick.therrien@rmofspringfield.ca, andy.kuczynski@rmofspringfield.ca, scott.aitchison@rmofspringfield.ca, michelle.reilly@rmofspringfield.ca, brent.main@rmofspringfield.ca

Rural Municipality of St. Andrews

info@rmofstandrews.com, joy@rmofstandrews.com, chris@rmofstandrews.com, ken@rmofstandrews.com, tracy@rmofstandrews.com, rob@rmofstandrews.com, justinf@rmofstandrews.com, laurie@rmofstandrews.com

Rural Municipality of St. Clements

info@rmofstclements.com, debbie@rmofstclements.com, glen@rmofstclements.com, scott@rmofstclements.com, sandra@rmofstclements.com, robert@rmofstclements.com, horbas@rmofstclements.com, david@rmofstclements.com

Rural Municipality of St. François Xavier

info@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, reeve@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward1@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward2@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward3@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward4@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca

Rural Municipality of Taché

Info@rmtache.ca, apoirier@rmtache.ca, sbowker@rmtache.ca, gmcgregor@rmtache.ca, dbraden@rmtache.ca, cjolicoeur@rmtache.ca, sstein@rmtache.ca, mmanaigre@rmtache.ca, nlapeire@rmtache.ca

Rural Municipality of West St. Paul

reception@weststpaul.com, peter.truijen@weststpaul.com, peter.campbell@weststpaul.com, giorgioward2@gmail.com, mike.pagtakhan@weststpaul.com, klybr1@gmail.com

✅ Copy and paste these emails into your email's "To:" field for quick contact. Let me know if you need any modifications! 🚀

Template for Persuasive Letter to Municipal Councils

📌 This template can be copied and pasted into an email or printed as a formal letter. Encourage residents to personalize it before sending it to their local councils.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]

To: [Mayor/Reeve’s Name]
[Municipality Name]
[Municipal Office Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]

Subject: Urgent Action Required – Withdrawal from the WMR & Opposition to Plan20-50 and Bill 4

Dear [Mayor/Reeve Name] and Council Members,

I am writing as a deeply concerned resident of [Municipality Name] regarding the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR), Plan20-50, and the restrictive measures introduced under Bill 4 (The Planning Amendment Act).

While Bill 4 was initially promoted as a “Freedom Bill”, allowing municipalities to opt out of the WMR, a closer review reveals that it imposes severe bureaucratic hurdles, unrealistic deadlines, and legal entrapments that make withdrawal nearly impossible.

Key Concerns

1. Bill 4 Creates an Unfair 180-Day Deadline for Withdrawal

   • As of December 31, 2024, municipalities have only 180 days to complete complex procedural steps to exit the WMR, including public hearings and Ministerial approval.

   • If our municipality fails to act within this period, we will be locked into the WMR indefinitely.

2. Public Hearings & Procedural Barriers Slow Down the Process

   • Bill 4 mandates public hearings and extensive documentation, delaying municipal decision-making while providing no clear path for approval.

   • Ministerial approval is not guaranteed, and the province retains the power to deny withdrawal requests without appeal.

3. Plan20-50 Overrides Local Authority

   • Plan20-50 forces municipalities to follow global urban development and net-zero mandates that do not reflect local needs.

   • Affordable housing, infrastructure investment, and public services are being pushed aside in favor of high-density urban planning and restrictive climate policies.

4. Municipalities Must Act NOW – Waiting is Not an Option

   • The WMR may delay sending withdrawal notices, forcing councils into a time crunch with little room for public debate.

   • Municipalities that fail to pass a resolution and submit a withdrawal request within the 180-day window will be trapped in the WMR permanently.

Call to Action: Take Immediate Steps to Withdraw

To protect the autonomy of our municipality and preserve local decision-making, I urge you to take the following actions immediately:

1. Pass a Formal Resolution to Withdraw from the WMR

   • We must demand immediate withdrawal from the WMR and reject Plan20-50 before the 180-day deadline expires.

   • A pre-drafted resolution is available here: [Link to Resolution].

2. Schedule and Publicize a Mandatory Public Hearing ASAP

   • The timeline for compliance is already running. Waiting risks losing our chance to opt out entirely.

   • I urge council to schedule the public hearing as soon as possible and ensure residents have ample opportunity to voice concerns.

3. Demand Amendments to Bill 4

   • We must pressure the Province of Manitoba to remove the unnecessary procedural barriers and ensure a fair and transparent withdrawal process.

4. Keep Residents Informed & Provide Transparency

   • Many residents are unaware of the risks posed by Plan20-50 and Bill 4.

   • I urge council to publish a clear statement outlining the municipality’s stance and next steps.

Final Thoughts

This is not just about regional planning—it’s about defending the right of our municipality to govern itself. If we fail to act, we risk becoming permanently subject to bureaucratic mandates that strip local councils of decision-making power.

I respectfully request a formal response from council outlining the immediate steps our municipality will take to withdraw from the WMR and reject Plan20-50.

I look forward to your leadership on this critical issue and hope to see swift action before it is too late.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Instructions for Use on the Website

• Residents should copy and personalize this letter before sending it to their mayor and council members.

• A list of municipal contacts will be provided for easy email submission.

• A downloadable PDF version of this letter will be made available.

✔ Attach the resolution to campaign emails and send it to municipal councils.🚀

SAMPLE MUNICIPAL RESOLUTION

Resolution to Withdraw from the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) and Oppose Plan20-50 & Bill 4

[Municipality Name]
Date: [Insert Date]

WHEREAS the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) was created under The Capital Planning Region Regulation, 2023 (M.R. 90/2023) without meaningful public consultation and imposes regional planning decisions that do not reflect the unique needs of our municipality;

AND WHEREASThe Planning Act (C.C.S.M. c. P80), Section 8(3) previously allowed the Minister of Municipal Relations to modify the WMR’s membership by regulation without requiring public hearings, strict timelines, or ministerial approval for withdrawal;

AND WHEREASBill 4: The Planning Amendment Act now imposes rigid procedural requirements and a 180-day withdrawal deadline (Bill 4, Section 11) that significantly hinder municipalities’ ability to exit the WMR;

AND WHEREAS Bill 4’s enforcement is retroactive from December 31, 2024, as per Section 11(3) of Bill 4, meaning municipalities were subject to its terms before it was formally passed, violating principles of procedural fairness;

AND WHEREAS Plan20-50 embeds global urbanization policies, net-zero targets, and regional sustainability mandates that limit local flexibility on critical municipal issues, including housing affordability, infrastructure investment, and economic development;

AND WHEREASBill 4, Section 7(2) removes municipal discretion by requiring ministerial approval for withdrawal and grants the province authority to deny withdrawal requests with no clear appeal mechanism;

AND WHEREASThe Planning Act, Section 168 mandates public hearings and extensive procedural requirements before withdrawal, placing an administrative burden on small municipalities with limited resources;

AND WHEREAS municipal autonomy is a fundamental principle of local governance, and the ability to plan, develop, and manage municipal affairs should rest with locally elected representatives, not external regional bodies;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. The Council of [Municipality Name] formally declares its intent to withdraw from the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) in accordance with The Planning Act and directs municipal administration to begin the withdrawal process immediately.

2. The Council calls upon the Minister of Municipal Relations to approve our withdrawal request without unnecessary delays and to uphold municipal autonomy as per Section 92(8) of the Constitution Act, 1867, which vests local matters in the jurisdiction of municipalities.

3. The Council directs administration to schedule the required public hearing, as mandated under The Planning Act, Section 168, and submit the withdrawal resolution within the imposed timeline of 180 days.

4. The Council opposes the implementation of Plan20-50 within our municipality and urges the Province of Manitoba to repeal any statutory obligations that enforce compliance with the plan.

5. The Council formally requests that the Manitoba Government amend Bill 4 to:

   • Extend the withdrawal timeline beyond 180 days, allowing municipalities sufficient time to complete procedural requirements.

   • Remove the requirement for ministerial approval of municipal withdrawals from the WMR.

   • Restore the pre-Bill 4 framework that allowed municipalities to voluntarily opt in or out of the WMR.

6. A copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Premier of Manitoba, the Minister of Municipal Relations, our local MLA, and all municipalities within the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.

Moved by: [Councillor Name]
Seconded by: [Councillor Name]
Vote: [Passed/Defeated]

Legal Justification for the Resolution

• C.C.S.M. c. P80 - The Planning Act(Section 8(3), Section 168): Governs municipal participation in regional planning bodies.

• Bill 4: The Planning Amendment Act(Section 7(2), Section 11(3)): Imposes restrictive procedural barriers and grants the province authority to deny withdrawal requests.

• M.R. 90/2023 - The Capital Planning Region Regulation: Established WMR as a statutory regional body.

• Constitution Act, 1867 (Section 92(8)): Grants municipalities authority over local governance.

✔ Attach this resolution to campaign emails and send it to municipal councils.