Late last week, the Government of Manitoba announced it was merging some regional offices in an effort to reduce administrative costs.
The Province says it will “consolidate” offices and restructure and use staff and existing office space "more effectively and efficiently." They also claim the “changes will not negatively impact the critical front-line services on which Manitobans rely,” as the mergers won’t result in any layoffs.
However, MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky says it will be rural Manitobans who will be most impacted by these changes.
“Honestly, it’s sad for small communities,” says Gawronsky. “The end result will be more well-paying jobs moved into larger centres and anyone living in those smaller communities will now have to travel further to provide and access those provincial services.”
Offices affected immediately include the departments of:
• Local Government
Thompson - planning office space to be downsized; and Brandon and Selkirk - mapping expertise to be consolidated in these communities.
• Conservation and Water Stewardship
Winnipeg - conservation library services to be merged with Manitoba Legislative Library; Leaf Rapids - district office space to be downsized, some services to be merged in Thompson office; Mafeking - district office to be merged in Swan River office; Grandview - district office to be merged in Roblin and Dauphin office; and Deloraine - water stewardship office to be merged in Brandon office.
• Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Fisher Branch - GO office to close, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp office will remain; and Starbuck - GO office to be merged with Carman office.
The Province claims cost savings from the office mergers in rural Manitoba are expected to be over $140,000 each year and in Winnipeg to be over $210,000.