Economic Development
| This page provides information about development decisions that affect Manitoba's public lands and water. Certain provincial government departments and agencies involved in development intentions are listed. Manitoba's environmental licensing mechanisms and processes are provided, with links. Watch News for stories about development intentions. See also Consultations/Legislation for a listing of what's going on in Manitoba. |
Budget Weakens Environmental Assessment The Canadian Senate passed the omnibus federal government budget bill (Bill C-9) on July 12, 2010, with previously deleted sections reinstated. Some environmental groups fear these sections weaken Canada's federal environmental assessment review process. The changes allow the Environment Minister discretion to define scope of environmental assessments.Government politicians praised the budget's passage as just what is needed for a healthy economy, while critics said the government has made it easier for corporations to submit environmental assessments with only limited scope, or to avoid assessment altogether. "This sets us back 20 or 25 years in terms of environmental assessment in Canada. It's a huge step backwards," commented Sierra Club Canada executive director John Bennett. Critics say changes will "gut" the Act, and particularly weaken environmental oversights for new energy projects. Assessments could be carried out, not by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, but by weaker, less experienced bodies. "The whole point of this, it's clear, is to push through major energy project. In the wake of the BP disaster, this is not the time to weaken environmental reviews of offshore oil and gas," said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party . "It will be a miracle if these changes don't result in a disaster in some part of the Canadian environment because of the weakening of the review process." One positive changes is that federal authority for environmental assessments rests with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, whose budget has been beefed up by 60% a year, or $11 million. View July 12, 2010 Hill Times articleView July 7, 2010 Winnipeg Sun article View July 6, 2010 Sierra Club article View July 8, 2010 Globe and Mail article View May 11, 2010 Ecojustice press release View July 12, 2010 Toronto Sun article View July 13, 2010 Toronto Star article View July 13, 2010 Globe-Net article Source: Winnipeg Sun, Globe-Net
After 30 Years - Water Power Licenses
Manitoba Water Stewardship and Manitoba Hydro have started steps for permanent water power licences to allow water use for several dams in the Churchill River Diversion (CRD). The CRD has only interim licences for water power, and the dams have no environmental licences. No cumulative impact assessment for 30 years operations has been done either. The same is true of other dams in the province - at Grand Rapids, and along the Winnipeg River. Surveys for water power reserves/ licences on Manitoba lakes and rivers are still incomplete or not public.
After the 2004 Wuskwatim environmental reviews and hearings Manitoba's Clean Environment Commission (CEC) recommended that: Recommendation 7.6: The Government of Manitoba require Manitoba Hydro to resolve all outstanding issues with regard to the Churchill River Diversion, the Augmented Flow Program and Lake Winnipeg Regulation. Following resolution of these issues, Manitoba Hydro should apply for the appropriate final licences for these three operations under The Environment Act and The Water Power Act as soon as possible. Recommendation 7.7: The application for the approval of final licences for Churchill River Diversion, Augmented Flow Program and Lake Winnipeg Regulation should include a review of the terms and conditions, an operational review and any required environmental impact assessments. Clear guidelines should be developed with respect to what constitutes conformance to and/or violation of the terms under these licences. Manitoba Wildlands, the Interfaith Task Force on Hydro Development, and northern communities believe the CEC recommendations mean both environmental and water power licenses and reviews must be undertaken. The CEC panel ultimately agreed with a public participants motion filed summer 2003, supported by public participants, that the Wuskwatim generation project area was insufficient, excluded impacts that would be felt elsewhere in the hydro (CRD) system. 
During the 2007 cabinet appeal of the Wuskwatim project licences, the director of environmental approvals under Manitoba's Environment Act confirmed that "The Minister of Water Stewardship has directed that outstanding issues related to the Churchill River Diversion project be addressed in order to allow for the consideration of the issuance of the CRD final licence under the Water Power Regulation under the Water Power Act." Water Stewardship Minister Melnick has confirmed that consultations with affected Aboriginal communities will begin soon, and that a public process for public comments and a public registry will be put in place. A September 17 meeting in Thompson, Manitoba, began the process with some potentially affected Aboriginal communities. A review of documents and correspondence shows that Manitoba Hydro is requesting the current interim water power licences be combined into one permanent licence, for 50 years. Currently Manitoba Hydro maintains that the generation stations in its system do not need any environmental permits or licences. The dams also were not grandfathered during the 1980s under Manitoba's Environment Act, as many other installations and plants were. No independant cumulative assessment of the CRD system, or generation stations throughout the province has been conducted. Manitoba Wildlands continues to expect the full intent of the CEC recommendation to be acted on.
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Environmental Licensing
 Environmental licensing in Manitoba occurs through The Environment Act. The Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch of Manitoba Conservation is responsible for all stages of environmental licensing in Manitoba. See their licence application details here.In Manitoba, most major projects and development undertakings require an environmental license. Typically, these projects also require various other licenses or permits or authorizations under other provincial and federal legislation. The level of scrutiny for development projects that must undergo environmental assessment depends on the classification or 'class' of the development. The Classes of Development Regulation 164/88 defines various development projects as Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 Developments and all developments described in the regulation require an environmental license. View Manitoba Environment Act Class 1, 2 & 3 Developments, Manitoba Wildlands Environmental Assessment and the Budget In winter 2008-2009 Canada's current Government prorogued Parliament, and re opened parliament introducing a budget that included amendments to the Navigable Water Protections Act that eliminated environmental assessments for development projects on Canadian waterways, with very few exceptions.In 2010, after proroguing Parliament December 30, 2009, the Government has again introduced a budget bill that reduces legal and regulatory provisions under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to protect Canada's natural environment. In a May 10, 2010 letter to the Canadian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, sixteen conservation and community organizations implore members of the Committee "...to object to these regressive changes that threaten Canada's environment." Changes include:
"By burying these significant changes deep within a towering, 900-page budget bill, the government has deliberately sought to hide these changes from public scrutiny, discussion or debate," says Josh Paterson, staff lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law in Vancouver. "That's why we're asking MPs on the Finance Committee to show environmental leadership by cutting these changes out of the Budget." View May 10, 2010 West Coast Environment Law press releaseView Bill C-9, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 4, 2010 and other measures View Save Canada's Environmental Laws! on Facebook View May 10, 2010 The Hook article View March 10, 2009 Manitoba Wildlands news item View May 12, 2010 The Mark article View January 21, 2010 Supreme Court of Canada Judgment View April 1, 2010 Liberal Party news release View May 18, 2010 The Globe and Mail article Source: West Coast Environment Law, Parliament of Canada
The Canada - Manitoba Agreement On Environmental Assessment Cooperation(PDF) mechanisms are part of licensing in Manitoba where there is federal responsibility identified as per provisions and regulations of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (See our Governments page for statutes, Manitoba, and Canada). The Cooperation agreement outlines the process by which a single environmental assessment occurs that addresses the assessment responsibilities of both levels of government (See section below for further details). The Manitoba Minister of Conservation can direct the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) to hold public hearings regarding environmental licenses for certain classes of development. The Minister responsible for the Act has the discretion to request public hearings for Class 2 and 3 developments under The Environment Act, such as:
Public registries hold public information and documents required in the licensing process. Public reviews, and comments are also held in the public registries. Applications, scoping documents, and final determinations on licenses are all part of the record. For a full listing of Manitoba public registries go to our Consultations/Legislation page. Manitoba Eco Net provides an electronic listing of public registry documents and file contents. Go to Public Registry on their home page. View more information on the Manitoba Environment Act Public Registry
CEAA 101: A Workshop on Environmental Assessment Download February 2009, CEAA 101: A Workshop for Citizens on Environmental Assessment (PDF)Canada - Manitoba Agreement On Environmental
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National Energy Board
 The National Energy Board of Canada (NEB) is an independent federal agency responsible for monitoring and regulating several aspects of Canada's energy industry. NEB responsibilities include the regulation of electricity exports to the United States, construction and operation of international transmission lines, and elements of the oil and gas sectors. The NEB also studies and monitors various aspects of the energy sector. The NEB's corporate purpose is to "promote safety, environmental protection and economic efficiency in the Canadian public interest within the mandate set by Parliament." It operates under the National Energy Board Act, with responsibilities under other sets of legislation as well. Visit the National Energy Board website View the National Energy Board responsibilities Manitoba Hydro has a series of NEB licenses that permit the company to sell electricity into the United States. (No NEB licenses are required for sale into Canadian provinces.) Manitoba Hydro also operates four transmission lines that connect with American markets. These also fall under the purview of the NEB. Export of energy to the United States is central to the operations of Manitoba Hydro. Between 1999 and 2004 Manitoba Hydro sold 30.5% of the energy it generated into American markets (measured by revenue rather than kilowatt hours). Between 2004 and 2008, that number slightly increased to 33%. Manitoba Hydro exports energy to dozens of American companies including Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy. Sources: National Energy Board and Manitoba Hydro Annual Reports |
Energy Development
Manitoba Forest Companies & Tenure
Mining
Manitoba's mineral industry is dominated by nickel, gold, and copper mines with specialty minerals like cesium being mined more recently. The peat, sand and gravel, and stone industries are also active in the province. Exploration for diamond have occurred in the last 10 years.In 1999, Manitoba's Minerals Guideline: Guiding Principles for Success was confirmed. Access the Guideline at ITM - Manitoba Minerals Guideline. Mining in Manitoba is governed by the Mines and Minerals Act - a relatively new piece of legislation. It was initially developed and enacted in 1991-92 and has been amended since then. The Act reflects some progressive environmental and social concepts such as sustainable development and acknowledges the rights of those who occupy lands (prior to any activity to secure mining tenure), and the public's right to access information. The Mines and Minerals Act includes a section that gives the Minister discretionary power to withdraw open Crown mineral land from exploration, staking and lease (Mines and Minerals Act, Section 14(1)). This is important because it gives the Minister considerable power to close areas of the province to mining (by issuing an order that results in a regulation). In most other jurisdictions, all lands are open to mining activity unless closed through other legislation (for instance legislation that prohibits mining activity in parks and/or protected areas). Through this Manitoba legislation, (Section 52(1)) Cabinet has the power to make regulations that designate areas for which mineral exploration licenses may not be given. 
The discretionary power for the Minister and Cabinet to say 'no' to mining activity is in keeping with the commitment to sustainable development principles that is clearly voiced in the Act, The object and purpose of this Act is to provide for, encourage, promote and facilitate exploration, development and production of minerals and mineral product in Manitoba, consistent with the principles of sustainable development.
Mines and Minerals Act, Section 2(1)
Some Crown land areas of the province are not open to (prospecting) license holders for mineral exploration and staking of claims (Mines and Minerals Act, Section 61(1), Section 160). These areas include:
1 "mineral disposition" means a claim, an exploration permit, a special exploration
permit or a quarry permit (Mines and Minerals Act) Manitoba Pressured Over Peat Mining
Public Pressure is building for the Manitoba Government to honour the spirit of its own laws and stop the rapid expansion of the peat industry, following the outcry over a proposed peat extraction project inside a provincial park.Sun Gro Canada has applied for an Environment Act license for the proposed "Hay Point Peat Mine Development (Public Registry file #5548.00)" inside Hecla / Grindstone Provincial Park. The proposed peat extraction project has not been approved and the public is being encouraged to submit comments to Darell Ouimet (darrell.ouimet[at]gov.mb.ca) at the Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch (EALB). EALB is required to consider the comments received when making a licensing decision. Comments must be submitted by February 3, 2012 and include a reference to Public Registry file #5548.00, Hay Point Peat Mine Development." The Liberal Party of Manitoba and Green Party of Manitoba held a joint press conference, with Manitoba Wildlands and the Wilderness Committee January 10, 2012 in response to the proposed peat mine in Hecla / Grindstone Provincial Park. Concerned public citizens gathered at the Robert A. Steen Community Centre in Winnipeg Manitoba January 11, 2012 to discuss how to best protect peat lands in Manitoba. Numerous Hecla / Grindstone cottage owners, representatives of affected first nations, representatives from several environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), and Manitoba Government aides were all in attendance. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has claimed, "The most important thing is to take a look at these applications and make sure there is no negative impacts on Lake Winnipeg." Yet the licensing process is still moving forward despite: 1) a new law, The Save Lake Winnipeg Act, enacted June 2011 that the Manitoba Government claimed would stop rapid expansion of the peat industry in Manitoba; and 2) concerns raised by Manitoba Conservation Parks & Natural Areas branch that the proposed peat mine at Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park could pose a fire risk for cottagers, damage the park's only road and harm habitat for Manitoba's dwindling moose population. According to information obtained by Manitoba Wildlands from the Manitoba Government, 184 peat quarry leases have been granted in Manitoba meaning that more than 30,000 hectares peat lands could potentially be subject to peat mining – almost twice as much as the 17,000 hectares of peat land currently in production across Canada. View January 6, 2012, January 10, 2012, January 12, 2012 Winnipeg Free Press articlesView January 11, 2012 Interlake Spectator article View January 11, 2012 CJOB 680AM (Winnipeg) coverage View January 10, 2012 CBC News article View January 10, 2012 Manitoba Green Party Leader James Beddome blog post View January 10, 2012 Manitoba Green Party press release View January 10, 2012 Manitoba Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard blog post View January 10, 2012 Liberal Party press release View Wilderness Committee, Write Wild - Provincial Park Threatened by Peat Mining Operation View Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd. - Hay Point Peat Mine Development (PR file #5548.00) Environmental Assessment Proposal (PDF) View Manitoba Wildlands Reality Check #32 – How Many Peat Leases in Manitoba? Source: Winnipeg Free Press, Government of Manitoba
Peat Mine Comments Deadline Extended
The comments deadline for an environmental proposal to mine peat inside Hecla / Grindstone Provincial Park has been extended till February 3, 2012. The previous deadline, as reported December 30, 2011 by Manitoba Wildlands, was January 16, 2011.Peatlands act as important water filters, reducing harmful nutrients that enter the lake. Peat bogs also serve as important carbon sinks, and mining them releases both carbon and methane into the atmosphere. "Peat mining has the distinction of disrupting water tables, removing our natural water filtration, and releasing vast stores of carbon. ... Peat bogs, then, are an essential climate change mitigation tool," said Manitoba Wilderness Committee Campaign Director Eric Reder. Cottagers and permanent residents in Hecla/Grindstone park are also concerned by the proposed mine. "It will leave a permanent scar in that area -- at least permanent within my generation for sure," said Heather Hinam, who owns a home in Hecla park. There are 201 quarry leases for peat in all of Manitoba. Most are clustered in the Interlake and southeastern Manitoba. Several are near Lake Winnipeg. In June, the province announced it was "banning the rapid expansion of peat extraction from wetlands" as part of its Save Lake Winnipeg Act. But all the government did was place a hold on granting new leases to peat producers. Those holding existing leases accelerated their environmental license applications. "Why are we mining in parks? Why would we want to do anything other than abide by the intent of the Save Lake Winnipeg Act?" said Manitoba Wildlands Director Gaile Whelan Enns. Chloe Burgess, manager of sustainable resource policy with Manitoba Conservation, said the province is developing a peatland-management strategy. The government plans to solicit input from the public in late February, 2012. View January 6, 2012 Winnipeg Free Press articleView December 30, 2011 Manitoba Wildlands news item View January 5, 2012 Wilderness Committee blog post View Wilderness Committee Map of Peat Leases incise Hecla /Grindstone Provincial Park View October 2011, Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd. - Hay Point Peat Mine Development Manitoba Environment Act Proposal (Public Registry File # 5548.00) Source: Wilderness Committee, Manitoba Wildlands, Winnipeg Free Press
Peat Mines Proposed Despite New Law
On November 1, 2011 Manitoba Conservation Environmental Assessment & Licensing Branch (EALB) received a new proposal from Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd. for an Environment Act license to harvest peat inside Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park. The approximately 531 ha targeted peatland is located approximately 21 km northeast of Riverton, MB. Public comments will be accepted until January 16, 2011.The Government of Manitoba enacted Save Lake Winnipeg Act June 16 2011, which placed a two-year moratorium on the granting of quarry licences and quarry permits for peat and peat moss under Manitoba's Mines and Minerals Act. Three Environment Act licenses for peat mines have been granted in Manitoba since passage of Save Lake Winnipeg Act on June 16, 2011.
In all three cases applications for the Environment Act license were made before enactment of Save Lake Winnipeg Act, with the licenses being issued after enactment. The current Sun Gro application and review is the first time an Environment Act license has been requested following the passage of Save Lake Winnipeg Act. "Potentially permitting peat mines inside a provincial park, less than six months after a moratorium on new peat quarry licenses and permits, is contradictory to the aims of Save Lake Winnipeg Act. How many other peat mines could become operational in Manitoba on the basis of historical Mines and Minerals Act licenses and permits?" questioned Manitoba Wildlands Director Gaile Whelan Enns. View December 28, 2011 Manitoba Conservation Proposals Open for Public CommentView Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd. - Ramsay Point Peat Mine Development License and Summary View Jiffy Canada Inc. - Peat Mining Development (Poplar Creek Bog, Haute Bog and Boggy River Bog) License and Summary View Berger Peat Moss Ltd. - Deer Lake Harvesting Development License and Summary View Manitoba Save Lake Winnipeg Act View Manitoba Wildlands, Lake Winnipeg page Presentation to Mines Ministers The National Mines Ministers Conference (MMC) was held in Winnipeg September 17, 18 2002. Each year all governments in Canada, represented by ministers responsible for mining, meet to discuss common challenges and policy initiatives. The theme conference was, "The Top Three Priorities: Sustainable Development of Mining in Canada".Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Director, Wildlands Campaign, Canadian Nature Federation made a presentation entitled, "Manitoba's Protected Areas Commitments, The Mining Sector Consultation - Working Toward Sustainability" . Her presentation provides background about the Manitoba Mining Sector Protected Areas Consultation. It provides a history of the consultation and describes the technical basis used, partners involved, and mechanism to rank areas for protection. View Presentation to Mines Ministers Conference (without maps) Download DOCDownload PDF Maps (4.6MB)View Canadian Mines Ministers Conference - Open Session Transcript (CNF presentation highlighted in red) Download DOC
Award for Protected Areas Consultation
During the September 2002 National Mines Ministers' conference in Winnipeg, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) presented Manitoba Minister Mihychuk its annual 'claim stakers' award. This award acknowledges Manitoba's multi year mining sector consultation for the establishment of protected areas. It also acknowledges the government of Manitoba for its participation in the mining sector's protected areas consultation. Each year the PDAC 'claim stakers' awards acknowledge government actions and public policy initiatives for the mining sector.Visit the PDAC website The Manitoba Geological Survey web site contains information about all current dispositions and properties in Manitoba. Their Map Gallerycan be accessed at ITM - Geological Survey - GIS map gallery. |
Transportation
Sustainable Development
 Manitoba's Sustainable Development Act includes a set of principles and guidelines. We are posting access to the Act, significant reports, public policies, and initiatives identified by government as being part of sustainable development for Manitoba. From 1997 to 1999 the Manitoba government undertook the Consultation on Sustainable Development Implementation (COSDI). Many of the recommendations from COSDI are the basis for current sustainable development policy and regulatory changes. It should be noted that environmental organizations did not sign off on COSDI. Also the intended public consultation regarding COSDI recommendations has not occurred. Please see our Links and Governments pages. View the Sustainable Development Act View the Sustainable Development Principles and Guidelines View the Consultation On Sustainable Development Implementation (COSDI) Report Download Provincial Sustainable Development Code of Practice (DOC)Download Sustainable Development Financial Management Guidelines (DOC)View 1993 NRTEE report, Building Consensus for a Sustainable Future: Guiding Principles Sustainable Development Links, |
2002-2011