Disgruntled Manitoba town wants to secede

SOURIS, MAN. — A disgruntled rural municipality in southwestern Manitoba wants to secede from the province and join Saskatchewan.

The RM of Glenwood doesn’t agree with the Manitoba government’s plan to save money by amalgamating municipalities with fewer than 1,000 residents.

Walter Finley, a municipal councillor, says the RM’s administration costs are already low, and amalgamation would drive them up.

Finley says Glenwood has more in common with Saskatchewan than with the government in Winnipeg and feels the province doesn’t care much about the western half of Manitoba.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says it’s an interesting idea, but there would be a catch.

“Here’s the big one — they’re going to have to decide on whether or not they’re prepared to change football teams.

“They’re going to have to give a pledge of allegiance, if they were come, to a big green flag with a white ‘S’ on it and maybe they’re not that interested in that,” Wall said.

Wall also acknowledges that it could be a challenge getting to the RM after learning it’s not on the boundary with Saskatchewan.

“Well, that would be really uncomfortable getting there, wouldn’t it really, and I’m not sure if we’d need sort of border patrols or not,” he said, laughing.

“Maybe they could convince their neighbouring RM to make it a two-municipality movement.”