WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government wants to make sustainable development a way of life in the province.
Environment minister Glen Cummings has drafted an act to ensure the health of the environment, economy and people are all considered when government decisions are made. He wants comments from Manitobans before he introduces it in the legislature.
The act provides for a streamlined process for getting permission for large developments in the province.
A business would go to only one office to apply for a sustainable development licence. The office would make sure the proposal meets all regulations. Cummings said the office would be a way to reduce red tape while making sure all approvals are met.
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“I want to emphasize this act does not change our high level of environmental protection,” Cummings said.
When it comes to livestock operations, he said 99 percent of proposals would not be affected by the Sustainable Development Act.
The act would also establish an independent sustainable development commission that could hear appeals of local government decisions.
“There was a rumor that government was looking to have a political override on the decisions of municipalities. That is not the case,” Cummings said, explaining the commission would respect local plans and variances.
Willing to listen
But the minister said when developers have no avenue for appeal, the commission could be an option. He stressed he wants to hear more from municipalities on the idea.
Under the proposed act, the provincial government would review new laws and revise existing laws to make sure they respect the principles of sustainable development.
The government would develop a sustainable development code for its own operations, and write a report every four years reviewing its performance.
