Friday, April 24, 2026
The province of Manitoba is realigning the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) in order to “improve efficiency and address municipal infrastructure needs,” according to the provincial minister of municipal and Northern relations.
Provincial minister Glen Simard made the announcement on April 23 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. 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,” Simard said.
The Manitoba government has transferred MWSB staff to the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations, which will “simplify processes, improve efficiencies needed to address municipal infrastructure needs and help co-ordinate funding programs with other levels of government,” Simard noted.
The change is based on AMM feedback, a government of Manitoba release said.
“The AMM supports the Manitoba government’s decision to house the MWSB within the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations,” AMM president Kathy Valentino said.
“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,” she added.
The MWSb was created in 1972 as a Crown corporation under the Manitoba Water Services Board Act to help provide water and sewer facilities for Manitobans living outside Winnipeg, the release said.
