The Municipality of Montcalm is asking the Federal and Provincial Governments for recommendations on future infrastructure in the community. Earlier this month the 2017 Census release reported a loss in population for the Municipality and Reeve Derek Sabourin feels the decline is connected to the loss of the St Jean Baptist Bridge removed four years prior.

"We feel some what abandoned by the previous government and we still have no traction with this current government, about the concerns and impact it's had on our largest community of St Jean and surrounding area. From the Ontario Border all the way west to the Pembina Valley, if you want to point to one place that has lost population it's our Municipality," explained Sabourin.

Sabourin went on to say that the province conducted a transportation study in 2015 and that council is still waiting to see the report that was supposed to be released last fall. Sabourin hopes the transportation study will shed some light on a future plan.

"A long-term plan helps people work around the issue, it's not knowing that is frustrating. With the current government I know they have priorities and budget constraints, but there was an urgency to destroy something that could have been used on a light vehicle basis in the mean time to accommodate a long-term plan," said Sabourin.

MLA Cliff Graydon joined this months council meeting to lend a ear to the communities concerns over population and future infrastructure. Graydon agreed with Sabourin in the council meeting, noting before the bridge was removed there was a great deal of opportunity for growth on the east side of the river.

"Because it's close to Winnipeg and people of course were looking for river property, but now there is no opportunity of that at all. I don't believe having a cabin out there will grow the community. The census indicates there has been a drop in population for Montcalm and that is defiantly part of the picture," explained Graydon.

Graydon went on to say that we need a bridge south of St Jean to facilitate a number of things like business access and students wanting to attend the communities school or vocational programs, noting there is never a simple answer to these types of things or a cheap fix.

The decline in population connected to the St Jean Bridge was certainly a main topic of this meeting. However Sabourin said we are also waiting on federal funding approval for a new lagoon that is currently an environmental hazard and no longer meets regulation also causing a population concern.

"Until the federal government steps up with their portion nothing can happen. We've applied to all the grants, and it seems there has been a delay in the funding announcement for these types of projects. We have a shovel ready project and have done everything we need to do. We are relaying our concerns to MLA Cliff Graydon because the province wants to see this done to. So we are hoping this will help get some answers from the federal government as to when we can expect these funds to come in," said Sabourin.

Sabourin continued by saying that with the forecast for a potential flood in the region, the current Lagoons pose serious environmental concerns.

" Without a new Lagoon the province will put a hold on population growth and sub-divisions in the future," explained Sabourin.

Graydon said he feels the Municipality of Montcalm has done it's due diligence for the lagoon project.

"The Municipality has come forward with it's plan and it was accepted, the Federal Government in this instance again has not come to the plate and they need them to do that, " said Graydon.

Adding some of these issues have existed sine the last flood in 2011 and agreeing with Sabourin that without a new lagoon the province will not allow the community to grow or issue any new sub division permits.

"The takeaway today was that the Municipality is willing to cooperate and has, they have also been patient. At the same time we have to get the Federal government at the table to accept their part and responsibilities."