April 23, 2026
Manitoba Water Services Board Moves to Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations
– – –Department Realignment in Response to Stakeholder Request Will Better Serve Municipal Needs: Simard
BRANDON—The Manitoba government is realigning the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) to improve efficiency and address municipal infrastructure needs, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced here today at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities’ (AMM) annual spring convention.
“As Manitoba communities continue to grow and prosper, they need access to safe, sustainable water infrastructure,” said Simard. “By bringing the MWSB into the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations, we will be able to simplify processes, improve services and partner more effectively with municipalities to support their communities.”
The MWSB works with rural municipalities to develop safe and sustainable water and wastewater systems. The Manitoba Water Services Board Act is administered by the municipal and northern relations minister and the deputy minister of the department chairs its five-member board of directors.
To create a more streamlined reporting structure, the Manitoba government has transferred MWSB staff to the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations. The move will simplify processes, improve efficiencies needed to address municipal infrastructure needs and help co-ordinate funding programs with other levels of government, the minister noted.
The change is based on feedback from the AMM.
“The AMM supports the Manitoba government’s decision to house the MWSB within the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations,” said Kathy Valentino, president, AMM. “Given the department’s understanding of municipal priorities and processes, this alignment will help improve co-ordination and efficiency in the planning and delivery of water and wastewater projects.”
The MWSB was established in July 1972 as a Crown corporation under the Manitoba Water Services Board Act to help provide water and sewer facilities for Manitobans living outside Winnipeg.
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