A plan to expand the borders of Ste. Anne, Manitoba, is moving forward after the deadline for public objections passed without sufficient opposition. The proposal will now head to the provincial government for a final decision on annexing approximately 215 hectares of land from the surrounding rural municipality.
The Manitoba Municipal Board issued a decision on February 20, 2026, confirming that both the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne and the Town of Ste. Anne have reached an agreement on the expansion. Because fewer than 25 voters filed formal objections by the April 24, 2026 deadline, the Board will submit a recommendation to proceed directly to the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, Glen Simard, without holding a public hearing.
This annexation involves 21 properties owned by 11 different individuals or groups. The land is located north of the current town boundary, stretching between Highway 12 and Provincial Road 210. As part of the transition, the Town of Ste. Anne has agreed to remit property tax revenue collected from these specific lands back to the rural municipality for a period of 15 years. This ensures that there will be no immediate changes to tax bills for the affected landowners.
The expansion is designed to support long-term growth in the community, which saw 53 new building permits issued in 2023 alone. A primary focus of the new land is the development of a regional high school led by the Seine River School Division. The project is expected to see construction begin in 2027, with a target to open the doors in September 2028. The land transfer will also allow the town to take responsibility for Caledonia Road, which will be paved and improved to provide necessary access to the future school site.
