Preamble: On November 8, 2006 the Manitoba Minister of Conservation made a request to the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) to investigate the environmental stability of hog production in Manitoba.  

The Minister released the report of the CEC on March 3, 2008, at the same time announcing a further halt to industry expansion in:

• Southeastern Manitoba
• The Red River Valley Special Management Zone:  This area includes the Capital Region of the province. 
• The Interlake:  This region borders on Lake Winnipeg to the east and Lake Manitoba to the west.   

On October 9, 2008 Bill 17 received Royal Assent and became law, changing The Environment Act and imposing a permanent ban on the expansion of the number of hogs in the Red River Valley Special Management Area and the municipalities of Armstrong, Bifrost (and the Town of Arborg and the Village of Riverton), Coldwell, De Salaberry (and the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys),  Eriksdale, Fisher, Gimli (and the Town of Winnipeg Beach), Grahamdale, Hanover (and the City of Steinbach and the Town of Niverville), La Broquerie, Rockwood (and the Town of Teulon), Rosser, Siglunes, Springfield, St. Andrews (and the Village of Dunnottar), St. Clements, St. Laurent ,  Ste. Anne (and the Town of Ste. Anne), Tache, and Woodlands. 

As a result of this process, the entire Interlake has been portrayed as environmentally sensitive, not just for hog farms but for businesses generally. However, the region possesses a very diverse soil, drainage and environmental profile. This variation can have a great impact on the suitability of each farm and business operation in the area and many are environmentally well suited to the Interlake.     

Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba rehabilitate the image of  southeastern Manitoba, the Red River Valley Management Zone and  the Interlake by publishing confirmation that these areas have a variety of environmental capacities, some which are well suited to a variety of farms and other businesses.  

Resolution Report:  

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce produces Resolution reports as part of its commitment to be accountable to its members. The reports are updated as matters unfold and have two components:

MCC Advocacy: Specific activities the MCC has done to help make this Resolution a reality. 

Developments:  All other information (e.g. government action, media coverage, reports) that relates to Resolution. 

Advice, comments, and information sharing are welcome; simply enter a reply at the bottom of this post.

MCC Advocacy: 

May 11, 2010: The 2010-2011 Resolutions were posted on the MCC website, listed as part of a comprehensive Report on AGM 2010 and then notice of this story was circulated through the MCC E-Update is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 16, 2010: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• The Minister of Conservation
• The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Developments:

May 11, 2010: Bill Blaikie, Manitoba’s Minister of Conservation, answered a question on this issue during his participation in the MCC’s Speakers Series:

August 25, 2010: The Honourable Bill Blaikie, Minister of Conservation, wrote to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on this matter. This is what he said:

“The Environment Act amendment in 2008 introduced a permanent ban on the building or expansion of hog facilities in the Interlake, the Red River Valley Special Management Area, and areas of Southeastern Manitoba. This moratorium is exclusive to the construction, expansion, or modification of a confined livestock area for pigs or a pig manure storage facility. It does not apply to other livestock operations or other businesses. Your suggestions about making it more widely known that other activities continue to be possible and encouraged, is a good one.”

August 18, 2010: The Honourable Stan Struthers; Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives; wrote to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on this issue, advising as follows:

“Regarding Rehabilitating The Image Of The Interlake, Southeastern Manitoba and the Red River Valley Management Zone, your resolution emanates from concerns about hog production expansion. Clean Environment Commission actions involving this issue should not impede the goal of MAFRI and that of the government to promote agriculture production in Manitoba that is economically viable and also environmental and socially responsible. 

Forty (40) MAFRI GO offices located throughout the province have staff available to assist producers, communities and entrepreneurs to build capacity that will sustain rural communities and rural Manitoba. My department’s Farm and Business Development Specialists are available to offer advice about programs and services available through MAFRI.”