A coalition of concerned citizens wants the province to hold a public hearing into the Maple Leaf Meats plant being built at Brandon, Man.
The Westman Community Action Coalition believes a hearing is the best place to probe issues related to the giant hog processing plant Maple Leaf has planned for the city and its impact on the area.
“This is a very big project for a city this size,” said Janet Brady, a coalition spokesperson. “We have to look beyond the immediate goal of creating jobs.”
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Manitoba Environment decided last month that a clean environment commission hearing wasn’t needed before issuing a licence for construction of the $112 million slaughtering plant.
However, anyone wanting to appeal that decision had until July 19 to do so.
Brady said her coalition filed its appeal.
Manitoba Environment also received an appeal from a private Brandon resident.
The appeals will go through a formal review, said Doug Peterson of Manitoba Environment, but it’s too early to say when that review will be complete.
Manitoba Environment has two main options if it decides to hold a hearing, Peterson said. It can hold a hearing without halting construction at the Maple Leaf plant, or it can rescind the licence for construction until the hearing process is complete.
“We believe we would prevail at such a hearing,” said Pat Jones, executive vice-president of operations for Maple Leaf Meats. “The issue really becomes one of delays – delays of construction.”
Construction of the processing plant is on schedule. Maple Leaf Meats has committed close to $40 million to the project, Jones said. There has been no discussion about looking for a different location if construction delays interfere, Jones said.
