Steinbach to join Eastman Regional Municipal Committee

The City of Steinbach will join the new southern sub-committee of the Eastman Regional Municipal Committee (ERMC) following a unanimous decision on Aug. 20.

Coun. Jac Siemens introduced the idea after attending the second meeting of the ERMC on Aug. 12 at the RM of Tache office.

While the ERMC has been around for a decade, operating in the northern part of the Eastman region, the southern sub-committee is new.

It has sparked interest however, as the City of Steinbach was joined by the Town of Ste Anne, Village of St Pierre and RMs of Hanover, Ste Anne, Montcalm, Piney, Stuartburn, and Tache at the meeting.

The ERMC serves the southern Eastman region made up of all municipalities south of the Trans-Canada Highway and east of Highway 75.

In a report to council Siemens said the group has a mission to lobby the provincial government on regional issues, such as provincial policies and programs, inclusive of funding on infrastructure, healthcare services, education, and public safety.

Siemens supported Steinbach joining the ERMC but wasn’t clear on what the benefits could be.

“The short answer would be the ERMC potentially has more to gain from Steinbach supporting all the initiatives than it would be for the RM’s to support our initiatives,” he wrote in his conclusion. “We do have common concerns, condition of our highways, waterways, waterway crossings, intersection upgrades, downloading of roadways adjacent to highways (road from MHV to Integrity), permission for bike lanes in highways jurisdictions and potentially other areas.”

He added that if Steinbach joined, they would build relationships with RMS, build a stronger voice for regional projects and potentially a louder lobby at the provincial level.

Council had questions before agreeing with Siemens’ motion.

Some, like Coun. Susan Penner questioned why the group existed, and Mayor Earl Funk expressed uneasiness about spending time on issues that benefit other municipalities.

“My only concern there is we’re again taking our eyes off of what we need in Steinbach and putting them on what’s needed elsewhere,” he said. “Maybe that’s part of being a good neighbour, but I just know what we’re facing in Steinbach.”

Siemens told fellow councillors there could be value in committing to a year on a trial basis.

Coun. Michael Zwaagstra seconded the motion.

“Obviously any opportunity that we have to strengthen advocacy with the province I think makes sense,” he said. “There are some areas of common concern.”

One of those Zwaagstra gave as an example was the goal of having Highway 59 twinned all the way to the border.

He added being on the ERMC would also give them a voice.

“Because we’re the largest centre in the region we have the ability then to influence what things are being prioritized by this group,” he added.

Council agreed to pay $250 to join for the remainder of this year and a further $750 to be a member until the end of 2025. Councillors who attend the monthly meetings will make a report to council.

The experience will be assessed by council before committing to remain a member after 2025.