July 7, 2023
Manitoba Government Grants more than $15 Million for Community Projects in Bilingual Municipalities
The Manitoba government is once again supporting bilingual municipalities throughout the province with more than $15 million in grants from the 2023-24 Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) and the Urban/Hometown Green Team programs, Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith and Families Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for francophone affairs, announced today.
“Our government knows that locally developed projects allow communities to address their own unique needs and opportunities, which creates a stronger, more prosperous Manitoba,” said Smith. “We are pleased that a significant portion of the funding allocated through the BSC and Green Team programs is supporting projects in bilingual municipalities this year.”
Nearly 40 per cent of the BSC program’s overall $25-million budget was allocated to 136 projects in bilingual municipalities, including $8.9 million for 107 projects in Winnipeg and nearly $1.1 million for 29 regional projects.
The Urban/Hometown Green Team program granted $5.2 million for 321 projects in Winnipeg and nearly $400,000 for 37 regional projects, representing nearly 60 per cent of the program’s $9.6-million budget.
“Our government remains committed to promoting the vitality, sustainability and resilience of francophone communities,” said Squires. “These investments will help build thriving sustainable communities that provide a high quality of life for Manitobans.”
“We applaud the Manitoba government's ongoing and significant investment to support our bilingual municipalities and their local partners,” said Ivan Normandeau, president, Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities and reeve of the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie. “This investment helps create the winning conditions to build increasingly prosperous, sustainable and welcoming francophone and bilingual communities.”
The BSC program was launched in 2019 to provide municipalities and non-profit organizations with a streamlined process to apply for grants, noted Smith. The program supports planning activities, community and regional initiatives, and capital infrastructure projects to build thriving sustainable communities that provide a high quality of life for Manitobans.
The Urban/Hometown Green Team program creates summer employment opportunities for youth while supporting projects that improve neighbourhoods, promote community involvement, and stimulate local economic activity.
For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/grants/index.html.
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