EMO Conference In Portage

Municipal leaders from across the province, as well as Manitoba government representatives are gathered at the Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie today to discuss emergency measures. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities and provincial government are hosting the conference, which focuses on how municipalities can best prepare for any potential disasters. Coldwell Reeve Brian Sigfusson is one municipal leader in attendance, and says he's hoping to discuss how any future flooding or other incidents should be handled.

"I want to learn what's new and how they're going to approach different things. Also, what they're going to do if we see another disaster, which I hope we don't"

AMM President Chris Goertzen says part of the focus of the event will be one the changes seeing in municipalities, as well as across the country. Both climate change and changes to municipal demographics will be two of the topics discussed during the meeting.

Goertzen, who's also the mayor of Steinbach admits it's easy for municipal governments to get caught up in their day-to-day operations, focusing in issues such as infrastructure or sewer and water needs. However, he says it's vital that all municipalities have a comprehensive emergency plan in place.

"Municipalities have many responsibilities, whether it's roads, recreation or sewer and water infrastructure. One of our most important responsibilities is to make sure we're prepared for emergencies. We hope to never use the plans we have in place, but this conference is to really talk about what the future holds for those plans, to make sure we're prepared for when things happen such as floods, fires, and other natural disasters."

Opening remarks at today's event were made by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton, whose portfolio also covers emergency measures. During his speech he discussed how climate change has resulted in variable whether conditions over the last several years, leading to issues such as tornados and flooding.