Six local municipalities collectively lost over 4.2 million dollars after Manitoba Hydro withdrew promised funding, and the reeves are fighting back.

“We were promised almost a million dollars, which is a huge amount of money,” indicates La Broquerie Reeve Lewis Weiss, “knowing it's coming and then having it taken away from you is devastating.”

Weiss explains that the funding came as compensation for the Manitoba to Minnesota transmission project, and while the project is ongoing, the money is not. He says he made a point of meeting with other RM’s at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities a few weeks ago to discuss the issue.

“We spoke briefly with different affected municipalities about this matter and they are very interested in doing something,” Weiss notes.

Stuartburn Reeve David Kiansky feels that “something” will likely be sending a joint letter off to Premier Brian Pallister.

“It may be futile to ask for it, but I’d like to see what everyone else thinks and approach Pallister to see what our future is with this, if any.”

Kiansky willingly admits they may not regain all of the promised funds, but is hoping the clout of six municipalities banding together will at least get noticed and result in a tax break of some kind.

Meanwhile, the Reeve for the RM of Ste. Anne, Paul Saindon, is not quite as optimistic.

“As much as it may be a gallant effort in trying to secure these gifts of money, I think they may be poking at a dead horse.”

Saindon says the last time Manitoba Hydro willingly gave out funds, it was because the NDP government was trying to encourage voters in their direction. He does not believe the Progressive Conservatives currently in power will bend as they are far too concerned about dealing with the provincial deficit.

Nevertheless, Saindon says he will hop on the bandwagon if the other RMs continue to take initiative.

“We certainly wouldn't shy away from joining the cause,” notes Saindon, “because if, by some chance, it reversed and the funds were allocated we would be kind of silly to have sat out and not shown some support.”

Saindon acknowledges that there is power in numbers: “The bigger the group, the better the effort.”

Considering all of the money in question, Saindon agrees with Weiss and Kiansky and feels it is, at the very least, worth looking into.

Read more: Manitoba Hydro Cancels Payout To Local Municipalities