Winnipeg Metro Region (WMR) is again TRYING to take over Springfield to become a Suburb of Winnipeg

Springfield Community Update
October 2025📣

Important Public Town Hall Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 7:00 PM (doors open 6:30)
Location: Cooks Creek Community Centre
 Hosted by: Councillors Mark Miller & Andy Kuczynski

Springfield is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families. But it is also a community at a crossroads. Important decisions are being made by Mayor Therrien and council that will affect our future — from the safety of our drinking water to the way our municipality is governed, to how much debt and taxes our residents will carry.

This Town Hall is an opportunity for all of us to come together, ask questions, and hear directly from experts and community leaders.

🌊Presentation #1:
Protecting Springfield’s Water

Speakers: Tangi Bell & Georgina Mustard

Sio Silica has reapplied to the Province of Manitoba for approval to mine silica sand in the Vivian area — directly in Springfield’s aquifer. This proposal raises serious concerns about the long-term safety of our drinking water. Bell and Mustard will provide the latest updates and explain what it could mean for Springfield residents.🏘️

Presentation #2:
Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR)

Speaker: Ken Drysdale, Independent Expert

Last year, more than 3,500 Springfield residents (98% of votes cast) said NO to the WMR Plan 20-50 — a plan that many believe threatens Springfield’s rural identity and local decision-making. Mayor Therrien refused to acknowledge the results! He did admit, on the record in Council, that 99% of the people he spoke to were against WMR. Yet, Mayor Therrien still plans for Springfield to join Plan 20-50!

Mr. Drysdale will explain:

• What WMR’s goals are
• Why Springfield’s autonomy and land use decisions are at risk
• What’s at stake if Springfield is forced into this regional framework

❓Springfield Residents Need Answers:

• Mayor Therrien represents Springfield on the WMR and sits as one of only 10 directors of JohnQ, a company spun off from WMR. He refuses to brief Council or seek their input, claiming WMR meetings are confidential and declining to hold public “All Questions Answered” sessions.

• Therrien also became a JohnQ Director during the period when the company was linked in the news to large payouts to Tory organizer Marni Larkin. This coincided with Stefanson and PC Ministers’ attempts to pass legislation approving Sio Silica mining in Springfield’s aquifer — actions for which they were fined.

Key question: What responsibilities does Therrien hold as a JohnQ director?

 ⚠️ Infrastructure & Debt Concerns
Property Taxes about to Skyrocket?

Council is considering major projects including a new water treatment plant and wastewater upgrades — with costs projected at up to $100 million. Plus the borrowing costs of interest payments over 20 years. Much of this debt would be carried by Springfield taxpayers. Over 20 years, 200 new small, serviced lots (serviced by municipal sewer & water) are planned per year for the Oakbank and Dugald corridors. Land zoning and planning are proceeding to accommodate this enormous land grab venture.

Important questions remain unanswered:

• Over 70% of residents live on farms/rural acreages and have already paid up to $50,000 for their wells and septic fields. Small lot owners have already paid for piped water and wastewater (for some, additional levies too). Why should they pay more?

• The new Water Treatment plant and Wastewater Plant costs should be borne by the Developers/Builders and new property owners by way of a “Local Improvement District.” User pay is how costs should be allocated in any new development, not by taxing the entire municipality!

• How will this impact our property taxes?

• Will developers and new residents share the costs fairly?
• What will this mean for our schools, roads, and services if population growth accelerates?

• Dugald & Garven Rds are already congested at peak times. How can they handle the new traffic?

Springfield residents deserve full transparency and responsible financial planning before moving forward.

🤝 A Call for Respectful, Informed Dialogue

This meeting is about protecting Springfield’s future together. Residents will have an opportunity to ask respectful, constructive questions directly to presenters and councillors.

📢 Why Your Voice Matters

Springfield’s residents have shown before that when we speak up, we are heard. Over 3,500 people stood together last October. That unity made a difference.

Now we need to do it again — by showing up, staying informed, and ensuring that our council is accountable to its residents.

💡 Springfield Strong
Our municipality is growing, and change is inevitable. But growth must be responsible, transparent, and respectful of our rural way of life. Together, we can safeguard what makes Springfield such a great place to live, while planning wisely for the future.