April 29, 2009
Environmental Protection Would Be Strengthened Under Environment Act Amendments: Struthers
– – –Eight New Environment Officers to be Hired, Enforcement Resources Would be Added
Environment officers would have expanded powers of intervention, environmental licensing would be improved and protection measures would be strengthened under amendments to the Environment Act, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said today, after introducing the proposed legislation.
In addition, Struthers announced the province will be hiring eight new environment officers, building on the additional seven environment officer positions created last year. These officers are being put into priority areas to protect the environment, focusing on water protection.
The province will also acquire a $200,000 emergency-response trailer stocked with equipment, monitoring instruments and supplies that can be deployed to a variety of critical environmental incidents.
“Improved protection and enforcement for Manitoba’s environment, pollution prevention, and effective and timely environmental assessments build on Manitoba’s green strategy,” said Struthers.
Key provisions of the proposed amendments would result in:
· Providing stronger environmental protection: Enforcement powers of environment officers would be expanded, allowing them to inspect and to intervene earlier and more effectively in situations posing a serious threat to the environment, rather than responding to emergency situations.
· Enhancing pollution protection: A new provision that supplements existing sections of the act would be expanded with the addition of an offence for releasing a pollutant that causes significant damage to the environment. This change would bring Manitoba in line with similar legislation in other provinces such as Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
· Improving licensing: The legislation would ensure clear, timely and thorough consideration of clean-energy projects and other developments by taking into account pre-licensing public consultations and by providing for terms of reference for Clean Environment Commission hearings.
· Addressing climate change: Greenhouse gas emissions from a proposed project would be automatically considered before a licence is issued.
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