Editor’s Note: The Blueprint for Growth
Good morning to our readers across the Red River North, Eastline, and Boreal Boundary. As we move into the first full week of March 2026, the transition from winter recreation to municipal "building season" is officially underway. Our councils are no longer just planning; they are awarding contracts, selling land, and drawing the literal lines on the map that will define our region for the next decade.
In the Red River North, the focus is on affordability and local autonomy. The City of Selkirk recently unveiled its 2026 budget, achieving a balanced plan with a 2.99% tax increase—significantly lower than major urban centers like Winnipeg or Brandon. This "Selkirk Model" of growth-funded infrastructure is allowing for record investments in transportation and the reopening of the Garry Theatre, all while keeping the mill rate on a downward trend. Meanwhile, a wave of localism is sweeping through our RMs; St. Clements and West St. Paul have formally moved to withdraw from the Capital Planning Region, joining nearly half of the area's municipalities in a push to return land-use authority to local hands.
Moving to the Eastline, infrastructure is the headline. Niverville is entering a transformative phase following its March 3 council meeting, where a $10-million contract was awarded for the reconstruction of Highway 311, including the highly anticipated western roundabout. Further east, the province has begun active consultations with Steinbach and the RM of Hanover regarding the further twinning of Highways 52 and 59. While the "Twinning of the 52" has been a topic of kitchen-table talk for years, seeing provincial engineers on the ground for functional design studies suggests this is finally moving from a dream to a blueprint.
In the Boreal Boundary, the narrative is a mix of high-speed energy and fundamental community planning. Beausejour is currently center-stage as the 64th Annual Canadian Power Toboggan Championships kick off this weekend, bringing the roar of world-class ice oval racing back to the region. However, behind the scenes, the "heavy lifting" of governance continues. The RM of Reynolds is preparing for a pivotal three-day public hearing starting March 11 to address the new Proposed Zoning By-law, a document that will dictate the shape of local development for years to come. From Lac du Bonnet’s "Monthly Matters" roadmap and their search for a modernized digital presence to the RM of Alexander’s ongoing work with the Winnipeg River Planning District, our eastern municipalities are deep in the work of future-proofing their communities. Whether it’s the return of the Southeast Farmer’s Market in Sunrise Corner or the opening of bursary applications for the Class of 2026, the pulse of the Boreal region remains strong and forward-looking.
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RM of St. Clements Withdrawals from Capital Planning Region:
The RM of St. Clements has passed a unanimous resolution to formally withdraw from the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region/Capital Planning Region (CPR). Council moved to act before the October 2026 provincial deadline to ensure that the next term of council maintains full autonomy over land-use and financial planning decisions.
Source: RM of St. Clements
RM of St. Andrews: Court Injunction Sought Over 76-Unit Development:
A local resident has launched legal action against the RM of St. Andrews to halt a proposed 38-duplex development. The lawsuit alleges that the council approved the subdivision despite a planning report suggesting the project was inconsistent with the Planning Act and regional lot-size requirements.
Source: CTV News
Selkirk 2026 Budget Prioritizes Infrastructure and Transit:
The City of Selkirk’s 2026 budget includes significant investments in asphalt overlays for McLean Avenue and Morrison Avenue, as well as the ordering of new low-emission transit vehicles. A major highlight is the launch of free transit for youth to improve access to schools and recreation.
Source: Manitoba News 101
St. Clements: New Service-Sharing Agreement with East St. Paul:
Municipal officials have released an FAQ regarding a new service-sharing agreement between St. Clements and East St. Paul. The partnership aims to streamline the delivery of utility services and reduce administrative costs for residents in bordering communities.
Source: RM of St. Clements
St. Andrews: Public Hearing for McLennan Road Subdivision:
A public hearing is scheduled for March 10 regarding a proposed zoning amendment at 8 McLennan Road. The proposal involves subdividing a large parcel into smaller residential lots, which has sparked discussions among neighbors regarding the preservation of the area's rural character.
Source: Red River Planning District
Lord Selkirk School Division: Discussions Over Regional Pool Future:
The school division is in active talks with regional municipalities regarding the future of the Selkirk pool. With aging infrastructure at the current site, officials are exploring cost-sharing models for a potential new facility that would serve students and the public.
Source: Manitoba News 101
City of Selkirk: Strong Development Keeps Tax Increase at 2.99%:
The City of Selkirk has unveiled its 2026 budget, which includes a 2.99% increase to the municipal tax levy—one of the lowest rates in the province this year. This controlled increase is largely attributed to a significant surge in new residential and commercial development, which added $2.4 million in new assessment value to the city's tax base. The budget allows the city to continue record-level infrastructure investments, including $5.5 million for capital projects like street renewals and a new regional recreation campus, without placing a heavy burden on existing taxpayers.
Source: Penticton Herald
City of Selkirk: Free Transit for Youth to Launch in 2026:
As part of the new fiscal year’s initiatives, Selkirk Transit is launching a "Free for Youth" pilot program. This move aims to increase mobility for students attending high school and community centers, while also aligning with the city's long-term GHG reduction and climate sustainability goals.
Source: Winnipeg Sun
RM of West St. Paul 2026 Financial Plan Public Hearing Announced:
Council has scheduled a public hearing for March 17, 2026, to present the municipality's financial plan for the year. Residents are encouraged to review the draft documents at the municipal office to understand how tax dollars will be allocated for local services and infrastructure.
Source: RM of West St. Paul
RM of St. Andrews: Spring Ditch Opening Program Started March 2:
The St. Andrews Public Works Department has officially launched its annual "Spring Ditch Opening" as of Monday, March 2, 2026. Crews are steam-cleaning culverts and clearing main drains to ensure snowmelt can move freely, a critical step in preventing localized residential flooding during the spring thaw.
Source: RM of St. Andrews
St. Clements: Planning Meeting for New Residential Subdivisions:
The RM has scheduled a dedicated planning meeting for March 24 to review several new subdivision applications. The meeting will allow for public input on how these developments will affect local traffic and existing school capacities.
Source: RM of St. Clements
West St. Paul: Cowley Street Road Closure (Effective March 5):
A "full-time" closure of Cowley Street (between Addis and Rossmore) begins today for sewer and watermain work. While it's daytime-only today and tomorrow, it moves to 24/7 closure starting Monday, March 9 for up to five weeks.
Source: RM of West St.Paul
Selkirk: Reopening of the Garry Theatre Scheduled for 2026:
As part of the 2026 budget, the City has allocated funds for the final renovations and reopening of the historic Garry Theatre. The venue is expected to serve as a cultural hub for the downtown area, hosting films, live performances, and community meetings.
Source: boringnews
East St. Paul: Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Strategy:
The RM is moving into the third phase of its Climate Change Plan, focusing on an Implementation Strategy for infrastructure resiliency. This phase assigns specific staff to oversee the completion of 20+ actions designed to mitigate flood and storm risks for local residents.
Source: RM of East St. Paul
Town of Ste. Anne: Hospital Pauses Most Surgeries Due to Staffing:
Ste. Anne Hospital has officially announced a minimum six-month pause on almost all surgeries, except urology, due to severe staffing shortages. Southern Health has redirected patients requiring general day surgeries to Steinbach’s Bethesda Regional Health Centre or Winnipeg facilities until at least late 2026.
Source: The Carillon
RM of Taché: Public Works Strike Halts Snow Clearing Operations Public Works employees in the RM of Taché, represented by Operating Engineers of Manitoba Local 987, walked off the job on February 23, 2026, after negotiations for a new two-year contract stalled. The strike includes 22 workers from utilities, solid waste, and public works, leaving municipal snowplows idle during recent snowfall.
Source: The Carillon
Southeast: Province Considers Further Twinning of Highways 52 and 59:
Manitoba’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure is meeting with local municipal leaders this week to discuss the potential for further twinning of Highway 52 and Highway 59. While the province recently completed a twinning project on Highway 59 near Mondor Road, local councils in Steinbach and the RM of Hanover are pushing for the expansion to continue toward Mitchell and south toward St. Pierre. The discussions focus on addressing increasing traffic volumes and improving commuter safety on these vital regional routes, though specific timelines for construction have not yet been set.
Source: Steinbach Online
Hanover School Division: 2026–27 Budget Approved:
The Board of Trustees officially approved a $146.7 million budget yesterday, March 4. It includes a 7.4% increase in spending to account for nearly 300 new students expected this fall. While provincial funding rose by 4.1%, the local school tax levy is a key point of interest for Hanover and Steinbach homeowners in this budget.
Source: Hanover School Division
Niverville: $10M Highway 311 Project Awarded to Maple Leaf Construction:
The Town of Niverville has awarded a $10-million contract to Maple Leaf Construction for the reconstruction of Highway 311, which will include a new roundabout to facilitate access to the Highlands West development.
Source: The Niverville Citizen
Town of Ste. Anne: Public Hearing Set for 2026 Financial Plan:
Ste. Anne has issued a formal notice for a public hearing regarding the 2026 Financial Plan, scheduled for March 25th. The town council will present the draft budget, which includes allocations for local infrastructure and the ongoing impact of healthcare staffing on municipal services.
Source: Town of Ste. Anne
RM of De Salaberry: Public Hearing for St. Malo Water Rate Hikes:
The RM of De Salaberry has applied to the Public Utilities Board to increase water and wastewater rates for the St. Malo Utility over the next three years. Residents have until March 13, 2026, to submit formal comments regarding the proposed quarterly service charge increase from $8.70 to $28.20 by year three.
Source: Manitoba Public Utilities Board
Steinbach: Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Sectors Announced:
The City of Steinbach has identified six priority sectors for the 2026 immigration pilot, adding natural resources and agriculture to its existing list. The program aims to streamline permanent residency for international candidates with job offers in health, manufacturing, and transport to address local labor shortages.
Source: CIC News
Niverville: Council Approves $1M Lagoon Land Sale for Regional Plant:
Niverville Council has approved the sale of its 160-acre lagoon site to the Red-Seine-Rat (RSR) Wastewater Cooperative for $1 million to serve as the future home of the $235-million regional wastewater treatment facility.
Source: The Niverville Citizen
Town of Ste. Anne: E-Transfer Disruption Scheduled for Late March:
Residents are advised that the Town of Ste. Anne will be unable to receive e-transfers between March 18 and March 23, 2026. The interruption is caused by banking system updates resulting from the merger between Caisse Financial Group and Assiniboine Credit Union.
Source: Town of Ste. Anne
RM of Hanover: RSR Wastewater Cooperative Announces Interim Rates:
The RSR Wastewater Cooperative, serving parts of the RM of Hanover and RM of Ritchot, has released its initial interim wastewater rates for 2026. The notice, posted this week, outlines the new fee structure for households connected to the cooperative's expanded regional lagoon system.
Source: RM of Hanover
Steinbach: Community Safety & Housing Report:
A new report released yesterday highlights that affordable housing and mental health supports are now the top-ranking concerns for Steinbach residents. This is a significant shift in local public discourse that may influence the upcoming 2026 municipal election cycle.
Source: CTV News
RM of Piney: Woodridge Vintage Ride to Support Community Center:
The annual Woodridge Vintage Ride is scheduled for March 7, 2026, inviting snowmobile enthusiasts to tour the Sandilands Provincial Forest trails. Proceeds from the event go directly toward the volunteer-run Woodridge Community Center for facility maintenance and youth programming.
Source: RM of Piney
RM of Hanover: Spring Road Weight Restrictions Now in Effect:
The RM of Hanover has officially implemented its 2026 spring road weight restrictions to protect municipal roads during the seasonal thaw. All affected roads are now posted with signs, and the municipality’s by-law enforcement is actively monitoring "No Truck Routes" to prevent structural damage.
Source: RM of Hanover
Steinbach: Winter-Spring Newsletter Outlines 2026 Utility Changes:
The City of Steinbach has released its first quarterly newsletter of 2026, providing residents with an updated waste collection schedule and details on a new lead sampling program. The newsletter also urges residents to sign up for e-billing for utility services to streamline municipal administration.
Source: City of Steinbach
Livestock Inventories Shift for Southeast Producers:
A new Statistics Canada report released March 2 shows a slight increase in cattle and sheep inventories in Manitoba as of early 2026, while hog numbers have dipped. Southeast producers are adjusting to strong export demand while managing the rising costs of feed and labor in the manufacturing and utility sectors.
Source: Steinbach Online
Beausejour: CPTC Power Toboggan Championships Kick Off:
The 64th Annual Canadian Power Toboggan Championships are underway this weekend (March 7/8), drawing thousands of spectators to the town for world-class ice oval snowmobile racing.
Source: CPTC Official
RM of Reynolds: Zoning By-law Public Hearing Set for March 11:
The Municipal Board of Manitoba has scheduled a three-day public hearing starting March 11 at the Reynolds Civic Centre to address objections to the new Proposed Zoning By-law No. 04-2025. This hearing is a critical step for residents to provide feedback on land-use regulations that will govern future development in the municipality.
Source: Manitoba Municipal Board
RM of Lac du Bonnet: Monthly Matters Highlights March Priorities:
The RM released its "Monthly Matters" report on March 2, 2026, outlining key priorities for the month, including the transition to spring maintenance and the launch of new community engagement initiatives. The report serves as the primary roadmap for municipal operations heading into the 2026 construction season.
Source: RM of Lac du Bonnet
RM of Brokenhead: Public Hearing for Zoning By-law No. 2269-25:
A formal public hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2026, at the Brokenhead River Community Hall, where Council will hear representations regarding the comprehensive amending by-law for regional land use and development.
Source: RM of Brokenhead
RM of Reynolds: 2026 Seine Rat Roseau Watershed Tree Giveaway:
Registration is currently open for the annual tree giveaway program, specifically for Reynolds residents, in partnership with the SRRWD. This initiative allows homeowners to secure free tree seedlings for spring planting to bolster the local canopy and improve watershed health.
Source: RM of Reynolds
RM of Piney: Vita Easter Market Set for March 21:
The RM of Piney has announced the Vita Easter Market will take place on March 21 at the Vita Hall, featuring local vendors and artisans. The event is a key spring economic driver for small businesses in the Sunrise Corner region.
Source: RM of Piney
LGD of Pinawa: March 10 Council Meeting Agenda Released:
The LGD of Pinawa has published the agenda for its upcoming regular council meeting on March 10, 2026. Key items include reviews of local utility rates and updates on the Waterfront Secondary Plan implementation.
Source: Pinawa.com
RM of Lac du Bonnet: Council Meeting Recap Published:
The RM published a recap of its February 24 council meeting on February 25, 2026, detailing the latest decisions on local variations and community grants. This summary ensures residents who missed the live meeting stay informed on council's legislative actions.
Source: RM of Lac du Bonnet
RM of Lac du Bonnet: Website and Economic Development RFP:
The RM has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a new municipal website and a dedicated economic development site. The project is aimed at improving digital transparency and attracting new residents and investors to the region.
Source: RM of Lac du Bonnet
Winnipeg River Planning District Development Plan Update:
The RM of Alexander continues to work with the Winnipeg River Planning District on its multi-year Development Plan. Recent February updates focus on long-term sustainability and land-use strategies for the cottage communities along the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg.
RM of Alexander: March 10 Council and Governance Meetings:
The Municipality of Alexander has scheduled its next set of council meetings for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the municipal office in St-Georges. The Governance Council Meeting will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by the Regular Council Meeting at 1:00 PM, where local infrastructure and zoning variations are on the agenda.
Source: RM of Alexander
RM of Reynolds: Class of 2026 Bursary Program Applications:
The municipality is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Bursary Program, which provides financial assistance to graduating high school students from the RM. Applications are due this spring to support local youth entering post-secondary education.
Source: RM of Reynolds
Sunrise Corner: Southeast Farmer’s Market Returns March 28:
The Pine Grove Seniors Centre will host the first Southeast Farmer’s Market of the spring on March 28. This market serves as a vital community hub for residents in the RM of Piney and Stuartburn to access local produce and handmade goods.
Source: Sunrise Corner Tourism
Do you have an event you'd like to share? If you are hosting a community market, fundraiser, festival, or public meeting in the River North, Eastman, or Boreal & Boundary regions, please send us the details (Event Name, Location, Date, Time, and a brief description) to be featured in an upcoming issue! Email [email protected].
Please confirm all dates, times, and locations with the organizing body or municipality, as events are subject to change
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