Input Needed from Manitobans to make Impact Assessment Better
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
[March 11, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB] In partnership with the University of Winnipeg and the Public Interest Law Centre, the Manitoba Eco-Network is pleased to announce the public launch of our Impact Assessment Reform project, Empowering the Community: Environmental Assessment Reform in Manitoba.This project is focused on gathering Manitobans’ insights on our current provincial process under The Environment Act and identifying community priorities to make impact assessment better. We are seeking to gather a diverse range of views from both urban and rural Manitoba.
Team member, Dr. Patricia Fitzpatrick (University of Winnipeg), explains, “impact assessment is an important process that helps government decision-makers learn from communities and experts about how a project may affect their communities – before irreversible damage occurs. It is our chance to ‘look before we leap’, and make decisions that work for the people and the environment.”
Over the next three months, the project team will gather feedback from Manitobans through a public survey and a series of in-person community workshops. Background materials and information about opportunities for public participation will be available on the Manitoba Eco-Network website here: https://mbeconetwork.org/impact-assessment/
“Manitobans have been asking for reform of the Act for decades, so we’re looking forward to hearing everyone’s ideas and better understanding the public’s interests and needs to create a process that works to protect the environment, safeguard people, and provide the best value to Manitobans,” says project team member, Heather Fast (Manitoba Eco-Network).
A public survey is now live and will be available until April 2, 2025. The purpose of this survey is to understand what factors the public thinks should be considered by decision-makers during the provincial environmental assessment process, and who they want to be involved. The survey is available here: https://uwinnipeg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5PGFjRwfE9CFE2
Three public workshops will be conducted in April 2025 in Brandon, The Pas, and Winnipeg. The goal of these workshops is to increase public knowledge of environmental impact assessment and to understand the community’s reform priorities. An additional workshop for experts and community members with experience participating in impact assessment processes will also be held in Winnipeg.
The outcomes from this project will be published in Summer 2025. “We hope this project leads to improvements that both consider the positive impacts projects can have on communities including in terms of employment opportunities, while also better protecting the environment and the health of Manitobans.” says team member, Katrine Dilay (Public Interest Law Centre). “We need a provincial impact assessment process that meets modern standards for environmental protection and public participation.”
Funding for this work has been provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (892-2024-1048) and the Manitoba Law Foundation.
-30-
CONTACT:
Heather Fast, Manitoba Eco-Network Policy Director
C: 1-204-770-2358
James Beddome, Manitoba Eco-Network Executive Director
C: 1-204-995-2637
