Kinew Government Must Listen to Municipal Councils, Local Residents on Plan 20-50
STONEWALL — Wab Kinew’s NDP government needs to step in and direct the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) to pause Plan 20-50 until a regional public consultation process has been developed to allow for engagement by all stakeholders within the region, Lakeside MLA Trevor King, PC Critic for Municipal Affairs, said today.
“Manitobans and municipalities know and value coordination amongst municipal governments, whether it is economic, environmental, or infrastructural,” said King. “However, what they also value, and what the Kinew government has to recognize, is the protection of local decision making.”
Several municipalities have expressed concerns with the Plan, including whether it will veto local planning decisions, or impose density requirements that will impact the semi-rural nature of the municipalities.
“The NDP government, as the final authority, needs to take responsibility,” added King. “People are clearly engaged and want to be part of the process, so two public hearings are not enough. The municipal affairs minister must schedule additional public hearings throughout the region so that citizens can share their perspectives.”
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