May 27, 2019
Province Advises Planning, Zoning and Permitting Review Report Findings to be Released Tomorrow
The final findings on the planning, zoning and permitting review being undertaken by Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) will be publicly released by the Manitoba government tomorrow, Premier Brian Pallister has announced.
The comprehensive report summarizes the primary findings of TBS, including its findings of best practices across Canada, the learnings from the approximately 50 individuals interviewed by TBS staff, as well as the economic modelling work conducted with the Department of Finance Fiscal Research Division and the Manitoba Bureau of Statistics.
“This is a critically important report, as its findings are aimed at ensuring that red tape and inefficiencies are not driving business and investment away. At the same time, this report is expected to cover a significant range of issues, all of which are complex and inter-related,” said Pallister. “We want to give key stakeholders enough time to read through the report in advance of its release. As a result, we are hosting invite-only embargoed sessions tomorrow for media and stakeholders.
“We have also invited elected officials and public servants from the City of Winnipeg and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, including Mayor Brian Bowman, to also receive a private, advance briefing.”
These two embargoed sessions will be hosted by public servants from TBS and senior leadership from other key areas of the provincial government, the premier noted.
“We have been advised the report will not include any recommendations. While TBS has undertaken a robust and intensive review process, we all agree the best process would be to release the findings first and allow stakeholders a period of time to react, before TBS makes specific recommendations,” said Pallister. “Afterward, we expect that this will commence a series of collaborative and constructive engagement sessions with all municipalities and other stakeholders. We will all work together to create a solution that is best for Manitoba, and reflects the best practices from across Canada.”
“We are confident that all parties will see the benefit of collaboration and access the legislative powers of the province to assist Manitoba Hydro, the Office of the Fire Commission, municipalities and municipal planning regions make generationally significant improvements to the way we do business in Manitoba.”
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