Ottawa / Winnipeg - March 5, 2007 - The Honourable John Baird, Federal Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, and the Honourable Stan Struthers, Minister of Manitoba Conservation, today announced the signing of the renewed Canada-Manitoba Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation.
Under the bilateral agreement, projects that require a review under both federal and provincial environmental assessment legislation will undergo a single, cooperative assessment, meeting the legal requirements of both governments while maintaining their respective existing roles and responsibilities.
"The renewal of this agreement with Manitoba continues to ensure a more effective and efficient cooperative environmental assessment process," said Minister Baird. "It demonstrates the willingness of both governments to work together to achieve a collaborative approach to environmental assessment."
"The cooperative approach represented by this agreement will continue the timely assessment process by the two governments," said Minister Struthers. "We can reduce duplication while ensuring environmental issues are dealt with fairly and efficiently."
The agreement provides the framework for federal-provincial cooperation for the environmental assessment of proposed projects subject to both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and The Environment Act of Manitoba.
Projects that are subject to both federal and provincial environmental assessment legislation include municipal and provincial projects that require federal environmental approvals, permits, licences, or involve federal funding, such as infrastructure projects.
This renewed bilateral agreement will replace the 2000 agreement between Canada and Manitoba, which expired in May 2005. The draft renewed agreement was subject to a 30-day public consultation from November 15 to December 16, 2005. Comments received from the public were considered in the preparation of the final text.
The agreement is available on the Web site of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency or from Manitoba Conservation's Web site at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation. A backgrounder along with questions and answers are also available.
Printed copies of the agreement can be obtained from the following:
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Prairie Region Office
Tel.: 204-983-5127
Manitoba Conservation and Environment Library - Winnipeg
Tel.: 204-945-7100
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For more information, media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
Paul White
Public Affairs Branch
Communications Services Manitoba
Tel.: 204-945-8124
