Alice Chambers Memorial Library - Public Registry

What is the public registry?

Under the Manitoba Environment Act any developments in the province that may have significant environmental impacts must go through an environmental assessment. Through the Public Registry, information is made available to the public on proposed developments, their environmental assessments and final licences to proceed.

The main Public Registry is located at the Conservation and Environment Library. Many files in the Public Registry can also be accessed at various sub-registries through out the province. The Manitoba-Eco-Network maintains one of these sub-registries.

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Background

The Public Registry (PR) has come to hold a wealth of information that provides a window into events that have shaped and continue to shape Manitoba’s environmental landscape. As one begins to dig around in the PR, it is not long before the hidden gems are revealed. For example, the maps and facility diagrams could stand on their own as unique documents, each striking an interesting balance of style and purpose. The PR is also thick with letters from the public, government officials and industry spokespersons. The letters range from those in support to those in opposition of proposed developments, not to mention the strong vein of letters from environmental activists in Manitoba. The PR also serves as the contact point to various environmental impact statements (EIS), management plans, reports from technical advisory committees and verbatim transcripts and reports on public hearings held by the Clean Environment Commission.

The establishment of the Environmental Public Registry is found in the Environment Act* section 17.

17. Public registry - Subject to section 47*, the director shall maintain or cause to be maintained a public registry, containing for each proposal received
(a) a summary, prepared by the proponent in form and detail approved by the department;
(b) the disposition and status of each proposal;
(c) a copy of the environmental licence, where applicable;
(d) a copy of the assessment report;
(e) justification for not accepting the advice and recommendations of the commission, where applicable;
(f) justification for refusing to issue an environmental licence, where applicable;
(g) such other information as the minister or director may from time to time direct.

*47. Information confidential
Where proprietary information is provided to any official of the department under this Act, that official shall not without the consent in writing of the person by whom the information was provided
(a) communicate or allow to be communicated to any person; or
(b) allow any other person to inspect or have access to the information except for the purposes of administration and enforcement of this Act, or as otherwise required by law.

Core Principles of Environmental Assessment

•    EA should be an open, accountable and independent process
•    EA should be done early and before any decisions are made and address need alternatives at this early stage
•    EA should apply to every undertaking that may have environmental significance
•    Environment should be defined broadly in an EA
•    EA should result in a binding decision
•    EA should be efficient and integrated with other planning processes
•    The public should be involved in a significant and effective way

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