The Mayor of Niverville fears commercial development in much of southeastern Manitoba will stop abruptly if the provincial and federal governments do not soon take action.

In saying that, Myron Dyck is referring to an ambitious regional wastewater project which needs government funding from both levels to become a reality. Forecasting growth back in 2019, Niverville joined the Rural Municipalities of Hanover, Taché, and Ritchot in pushing for a new regional wastewater collection system and plant. The group of municipalities call themselves the Red-Seine-Rat Wastewater Cooperative and each member has slightly different reasons why they believe the facility would be an asset. To Dyck, it is a significant economic driver.

In addition to meeting new environmental standards and ensuring affordable utility rates for rural and urban taxpayers, Dyck believes the new plant would make the region increasingly appealing to commercial enterprises. If the plant does not move forward, however, he believes there would be substantial losses in the local business sector.

“I’m going to hammer this point,” emphasizes the mayor. “This is imperative. If we don’t get this, we are going to have significant businesses leave southeastern Manitoba and go to other provinces.”

By way of example, Dyck refers to the ten-year-long moratorium in Landmark; development could not occur in any significant way for more than a decade because the community’s water system was completely maxed out. He does not want a similar situation to eventually stifle growth throughout the entire region.