The Mayor of Tache is looking for safety improvements for what he calls a "very, very dangerous intersection."

Armand Poirier is referring to the intersection at Provincial Road (PR) 206 and the Trans Canada Highway as traffic turns south towards Landmark. 

Poirier says his Council recently met with Manitoba Transportation Minister Doyle Piwniuk and his team of experts to discuss traffic concerns in the municipality. He notes they placed particular emphasis on the PR 206/ Trans Canada intersection. Poirier says the big concern is that traffic is crossing a very busy highway where motorists are travelling at 100 kilometres per hour, if not faster. 

"For the traffic that's exiting that intersection or entering that intersection, they have to do so while challenging traffic that is coming at full highway speed," he notes. "And that is deadly."

Poirier admits he is not sure what needs to be done there.

"I'm not qualified to make a decision on what should be done there," adds Poirier, noting the information is now in the hands of traffic experts. 

Meanwhile, Poirier says another issue currently staring at Council, is this year's budget which needs to be finalized and approved. He notes the problem is that inflationary pressures and interest rates will play a role. 

"With interest rates going up, that means it's going to cost manufacturers more to provide a product to us, which in turn creates inflation," he explains.

Poirier says he remains very committed to holding the line on taxes but stresses the challenges that await if the municipality is expected to continue providing services at the current level.

And finally, Poirier says 2023 should see the continuation of Tache partnering with neighbouring municipalities. He notes partnerships are more important than ever before when it comes to projects such as the regional wastewater treatment facility or even sharing fire protection services. He gives the example of a ladder truck for their fire department, which could be purchased as a partnership with neighbouring municipalities.

"We're definitely better off having a regional mindset to be able to share the costs of providing these services to our citizens," he notes.