RM of Ste Anne officially bilingual

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This article was published 13/06/2024 (338 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With a round of applause from council, the RM of Ste Anne officially became a member of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) on June 12.
The Franco-Manitoban flag first unveiled in 1980 was brought into the RM’s council chambers for the occasion.
Reeve Richard Pelletier said Manitoba is a bilingual province, and this was an exciting moment that brings opportunity to the municipality and its people.
“Being bilingual to me, it’s an asset. It’s a talent like being able to play music,” said Pelletier.
He and council believe the bilingual designation will hit the right note with other levels of government when it comes to getting grants.
“There is a cost to join… but we get a grant that’s much greater than the amount we put in. This is not going to be a burden on taxpayers, let me put it that way,” said deputy reeve Randy Eros.
“Nothing but a positive step forward.”
Money from the AMBM will go to helping francophones in the RM access services in their first language.
It does not mean all staff or new hires need to brush up on their French.
“We will have enhanced services but in no way does that limit us in who we hire. It’s not like you have to hire bilingual staff,” explained Eros.
He said the timing was right because the AMBM presented to council just as they were looking for different ways to expand business opportunities in the RM.
“I think of particular interest to us is we have identified the need for business in our community, so they’re certainly working towards francophone immigration into Canada,” said Eros.
“One of the things we were focusing on this term was increased business in the RM, and we think this will help us do that.”
The RM of Ste Anne joins Southeast neighbours who have already become member of the AMBM including the Town of Ste Anne, Tache, De Salaberry, Saint-Pierre-Jolys, Ritchot, and La Broquerie, whose reeve Ivan Normandeau is its president.