The Mayor of Steinbach says more bodies are needed to work out of provincial Planning Branch offices in Steinbach and Beausejour.

"There is a severe shortage of staff at the provincial level," notes Chris Goertzen(above) who is also Urban Director for the Eastern District with Association of Manitoba Municipalities. "I believe they've had a hiring freeze for some time."

Goertzen notes considering the growth of the region, that's a challenge. "We want to continue growing," he says. "We want to continue to prosper like the Eastern District has." But he says in order to do that, they need the appropriate people in these offices.

A resolution was voted on by municipal officials at this month's Eastern District meeting of AMM. It came forward from the RM of La Broquerie asking AMM to lobby the provincial government on behalf of Manitoba municipalities.

Goertzen admits he's not sure how many employees there are at either of the offices. "The staff that are there are really doing their best," he says. "But they are under staffed and we need that improved so that we can continue to have growth in our region."

He says this is a challenge right across the board, not only in Steinbach and Beausejour. Goertzen adds so far Steinbach has been able to cope and this shortage hasn't stunted growth in any way.

"We put adequate staff in place in the growth areas," notes Goertzen. "We ask that the province do the same."