The Government of Manitoba has launched public engagement on its first ever water strategy action plan. “We’re inviting all Manitobans to provide feedback and help identify the priorities for our province’s first water management strategy action plan,” said Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks Jeff Wharton in a news release. To access the survey, go to https://engagemb.ca/water-strategy. The survey will close on February 15, 2023. The water strategy action plan is expected for release in spring, 2023, according to the release.
Concerns raised over process to renew local water taking permits
Believing they were misled by the Ministry of Environment, local advocacy group Wellington Water Watchers wants an extension on public input into the current water permit renewal applications for Aberfoyle and Hillsburgh. Triton Water, who purchased the Nestle Waters division earlier this year, has applied for renewals of their water taking permits at the two locations. Arlene Slocombe, executive director of WWW said she met with ministry representatives on April 7, and it was understood that ministry staff would notify WWW when Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc.’s request to renew the permit to take water would be posted. Permits include a 30 day public consultation period.
Calgary’s water likely safe following coal policy changes, High River area a concern
Following public uproar of the Alberta government quietly pulling the 1976 coal policy, opening up more areas of the province for coal mining, a Calgary committee has started work to find out how those changes could affect the city on the Bow and Elbow Rivers. “The good news is, we found out today that although there’s different (land use) categories, the main category of the national parks and everything for our river system in the Bow is not affected with this policy,” Ward 1 Coun. Ward Sutherland said. “Obviously we’re very pleased with that.”