Responses to environmental candidate survey for the 2019 Manitoba provincial election.

Full question: The Manitoba government just issued an environment act licence for an oil-and-gas frack sand mine in Hollow Water First Nation territory, even though the company still hasn’t filed 15 essential management plans. Will you rescind the environment act licence until the 15 missing management plans have been publicized and peer-reviewed?

Manitoba Liberal Party

The Manitoba Liberal Party central office sent a response on behalf of most Liberal candidates. See exceptions below.

“A fine line must be catered between the environment and the sovereignty and decision-making process of First Nations communities in which both must be respected. Beyond environmental concerns, silica mining has been also known to have adverse health effects to nearby communities. In order to ensure the safety of the environment, but also the safety of nearby First Nations communities and residents, Manitoba Liberals will order a temporary injunction on the project until health, safety, and environmental concerns can be fully met by the company involved.”

Dr. John Gerrard, Liberal Party, River Heights

 I believe we need to review that situation and the actions that are needed to protect the environment and the health of people in the area of the mine on an urgent basis should we have a Liberal government elected on Sept 10.   

Green Party of Manitoba

The Green Party of Manitoba central office sent a response on behalf of most of their candidates. See exceptions below.

The license will be revoked and a ban on fracking will be put in place as part of the move to reduce our use of fossil fuels and emission reductions.

Liz Clayton, Green Party of Manitoba, Agassiz

Our platform calls for a ban on fracking, and a reduction, not expansion, in our use of fossil fuels. We would revoke the license.   

Martha Jo Willard, Green Party of Manitoba, Notre Dame

No license can be put in place if the critical environment management plans are not in place.  That is just a recipe for disaster.  They essential management plans are well researched and must be complied with as part of the policy for granting the license.  Cancelling the license until the paperwork is completed is the only option.

Janine Gibson, Green Party Manitoba, Steinbach

The Manitoba government issued a disgraceful environment act licence for an oil-and-gas frack sand mine in Hollow Water First Nation territory, even though the company still hasn’t filed 15 essential management plans. I would work to immediately rescind the environment act licence until the 15 missing management plans have been publicized and peer-reviewed. This is NOT the kind of development we need in Manitoba.

Andrea Shalay, Green Party of Manitoba, Union Station

The licence should be revoked. The Green Party of Manitoba intends to ban fracking, as a part of our plan to reduce emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels.

David Nickarz, Green Party Of Manitoba, Wolseley

Yes, I will rescind the environment act licence until the 15 missing management plans have been publicized and peer-reviewed?  I would also prevent the granting of the EA licence for any fossil fuel infrastructure projects like a frac sand mine.  I would also work to improve the Environment Act licence in consultation with groups like the WCWC.  There's a lot to be improved in the EA. 

PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF MANITOBA

No response.

Manitoba NDP

The Manitoba NDP central office sent a response on behalf of all of their candidates.

No environment act license will be granted, nor will any license be allowed to persist, if the conditions of the license are not properly respected. It is the responsibility of government to ensure the conditions of any environment act license are respected.