Seniors Forum, every Oct 1st, 2pm at Pat Porter
Six Key Duties of a Councillor — and Why Full-Time EFFORT Can Make a Difference
City by-laws give every councillor essentially the same responsibilities. I am not seeking additional authority or pay. I am making a commitment to dedicate significantly more time and effort toward carrying out those responsibilities. Not because we are failing, but because we are growing.
Steinbach has become one of Manitoba's success stories because of the hard work of residents, businesses, volunteers, non-profit organizations, City staff, and successive leaders.
As our city continues to grow, I believe additional councillor time and involvement can help strengthen communication, improve follow-through, accelerate progress, and better prepare our community for future opportunities and challenges.
Residents deserve a councillor who is visible, available, and actively engaged in community concerns.
Steinbach has benefited from dedicated staff, volunteers, and community-minded leaders who have helped maintain good quality of life.
Growth creates more resident concerns:
Flooding
Water pressure
Street conditions
Transportation
Development impacts
Neighbourhood concerns
Quality-of-life issues
Pet safety and tagging
These require ongoing listening, follow-up, relationship building, and advocacy.
Public listening sessions
Resident follow-up
Community meetings
Better communication
Stronger intergovernmental coordination
Greater accessibility and visibility
Public Activity log
Digital Tag and Lost Pet Notification
Community issue tracker
Community Area Connectors (CAC)
A city where residents feel informed, respected, and heard
Good decisions require preparation, research, and long-term thinking.
Steinbach has generally planned responsibly and made investments that supported growth and community development.
Councillors must:
Study reports
Ask questions
Understand implications
Research best practices
Evaluate alternatives
These activities require significant time outside regular meetings.
Growth management
Housing planning
Development compatibility
Recreation planning
Transportation planning
Long-term community priorities
Property Improvement Abstract system
Development impact scorecards
Best-practice reviews from other municipalities
A city that plans proactively rather than reacting after problems occur.
Large projects deserve strong oversight and long-term thinking.
Steinbach has invested in recreation, utilities, and infrastructure that position towards growth.
Growth brings increasingly complex projects:
Infrastructure investments
Event Centre operations
Utilities
Drainage systems
Recreation facilities
Economic development initiatives
These projects require ongoing review and oversight.
Event Centre sustainability
Grant opportunities
Project monitoring
Financial oversight
Long-term capital planning
Value-for-money reviews
Parking Partnership Program
Enhanced grant tracking
Project progress dashboards
A financially strong city that continues investing in its future while protecting taxpayers.
Many of the issues residents care about require partnerships beyond City Hall.
Steinbach has built strong regional relationships and established itself as South East Monitoba economic hub.
Many priorities depend upon continuous advocacy:
Senior housing
Healthcare access
Transportation
Provincial highways
Flood assistance
Affordablity and homelessness
Relationships and advocacy require time and persistence.
Regional partnerships
Senior advocacy
Transportation solutions
Provincial relationships
Economic development partnerships
Financially sustainable on-demand public transit
Senior Housing & Healthy Aging Initiative
Regional transportation partnerships
Exploring Steinbach as a Canadian pilot community for electric vehicle (EV)
Collaboration with local automotive businesses on future mobility opportunities
A city that maintains its identity as Manitoba's Automobile City while embracing practical transportation choices and future economic opportunities.
Growth should strengthen neighborhoods, honor our heritage, and welcome new opportunities.
Steinbach's heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, volunteer culture, and openness to newcomers have helped make it one of Manitoba's success stories. The extraordinary work performed by local non-profit organizations and volunteers continues to strengthen Steinbach every day.
As well-known past President of Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) Gerhard Enns observed:
"The old boundaries are disappearing, and we are learning to see that there is good in others as well."
Growth creates pressures involving:
Development compatibility
Parking and Traffic
Noise and Air Quality
Community character
Recreation needs
Neighbourhood expectations
These issues require time, relationship building, and ongoing engagement.
Neighbourhood consultation
Development compatibility
Respect for heritage
Volunteer and non-profit recognition
Youth, Sports and Hockey initiatives
Recreation opportunities
Mobile safety camera trailers
Non-Profit Grant & Resource Roundtable (GRR)
Lawn Angels volunteer program
Enhanced transition-zone planning
A city that respects its history, values its volunteers, appreciates its diverse residents, and continues growing while preserving the character that makes Steinbach special.
Residents should know what their councillor is working on and how decisions are being made.
Steinbach benefits from professional administration and increasingly modern municipal services.
Municipal government is becoming increasingly complex.
Keeping informed requires time dedicated to:
Research
Learning
Reviewing reports
Understanding emerging issues
Communicating with residents
Transparency
Better online services
Service improvements
Faster permit processes
Public reporting
Open communication
Accountability platform
Public project dashboards
AI-assisted resident information tools
Steinbach Quick Assist Listing
A modern, transparent, accountable local government that residents can easily understand and engage with.