The environmental assessment of the Canadian Premium Sands project, which has been approved near Hollow Water First Nation, is being questioned by a group opposed to the sand mine. Tangi Bell, a spokesperson for Our Line in the Sand, stated that the process was “shoddy.”
We Oppose the Assessment Process
Tangi Bell, a spokesperson for Our Line in the Sand, expressed concerns about the environmental assessment process. The group presented a petition with nearly 600 signatures to the NDP government, calling for improvements to its oversight process. “We know in the past with the previous government, they failed to meet with us,” Bell said. “We’re hoping that this government is different.”
Our Line in the Sand presented the petition to security at the legislature after failing to secure a meeting with the government. The environmental assessment and licensing process was deemed “shoddy” by Bell. A Petition with 600 Signatures
The petition, which was presented to the government, highlights the concerns of the group regarding the environmental assessment process. With nearly 600 signatures, the petition demonstrates the strength of opposition to the project. Canadian Premium Sands Inc. (CPS) has regulatory approval for the plant and the mine, with the environmental licence for the facility issued in May 2023. Environmental Minister Mike Moyes defended the province’s environmental assessment process. He stated that the province has high standards and is always looking to improve. “We have high standards across all different areas but we’re always looking to make things better,” Moyes said. “We always want to work with all different groups and ensure that we have a very transparent and straightforward process.”
However, the opposition to the project continues to grow. Canadian Premium Sands chief executive officer Glenn Leroux described the review process as “very thorough” and stated that the company was held “fully accountable.”
A Thorough Review Process
Leroux pointed to the “significant cost” of a drainage study that the company paid for to satisfy “a vocal special interest group.” He described the process as “shoddy” to the company, but not to the dedicated professionals who manage the environmental assessment licensing application process. The company has regulatory approval for the plant and the mine, with the environmental licence for the facility issued in May 2023. Environmental Review
The Canadian Premium Sands project has been approved near Hollow Water First Nation, 190 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. The project involves the construction of North America’s only patterned solar glass manufacturing facility in Selkirk and the mining of silica sand close to the First Nation. The company has set out to raise capital to build the plant and its associated quarry in the communities of Hollow Water and Seymourville. Background on the Project
The Manitoba government endorsed the Canadian Premium Sands Inc. plan to construct North America’s only patterned solar glass manufacturing facility in Selkirk and mine for silica sand close to Hollow Water First Nation in early 2024. The Calgary-based company has regulatory approval for the plant and the mine, with the environmental licence for the facility issued in May 2023. A Costly Drainage Study
The company paid for a drainage study to satisfy “a vocal special interest group.” Leroux described the process as “shoddy” to the company, but not to the dedicated professionals who manage the environmental assessment licensing application process. The company’s statement highlights the controversy surrounding the project. Controversy Surrounding the Project
The Canadian Premium Sands project has been surrounded by controversy since its approval. The opposition to the project has been growing, with Our Line in the Sand expressing concerns about the environmental assessment process. “We’re hoping that this government is different,” Bell said. “We know in the past with the previous government, they failed to meet with us.”
The company has regulatory approval for the plant and the mine, with the environmental licence for the facility issued in May 2023. A Conflict of Interest
The controversy surrounding the Canadian Premium Sands project also raises questions about a potential conflict of interest. In January 2024, the NDP accused then-Tory leader Heather Stefanson and former cabinet minister Jeff Wharton of breaking conflict of interest laws in an attempt to approve the proposed Sio Silica sand mine after the party lost the election. While the proposed mine was never approved, questions remain about whether there was an attempt to violate ethics rules during the caretaker period before the NDP government was sworn in. The Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor is currently investigating the complaints. A Report Expected by Late May
Schnoor stated that his report is expected by late May, and he will provide it first to the subjects of the complaint and to the Speaker, Tom Lindsey.
- Environmental assessment of the Canadian Premium Sands project has been questioned by a group opposed to the sand mine.
- The group presented a petition with nearly 600 signatures to the NDP government, calling for improvements to its oversight process.
- The company has regulatory approval for the plant and the mine, with the environmental licence for the facility issued in May 2023.
- Environmental Minister Mike Moyes defended the province’s environmental assessment process.
- Our Line in the Sand expressed concerns about the environmental assessment process.
Key Facts
The Canadian Premium Sands project involves the construction of North America’s only patterned solar glass manufacturing facility in Selkirk and the mining of silica sand close to Hollow Water First Nation. The Manitoba government endorsed the Canadian Premium Sands Inc. plan in early 2024. The Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor is investigating the complaints and is expected to provide his report by late May.
Our Line in the Sand spokesperson Tangi Bell stated that the environmental assessment of the Canadian Premium Sands project was “shoddy.” The group presented a petition with nearly 600 signatures to the NDP government, calling for improvements to its oversight process.
The opposition to the Canadian Premium Sands project is growing, with concerns about the environmental assessment process being raised by Our Line in the Sand.
Key Takeaways
* The Canadian Premium Sands project has been approved near Hollow Water First Nation, 190 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. * Our Line in the Sand has expressed concerns about the environmental assessment process. * The opposition to the project is growing, with a petition presented to the NDP government calling for improvements to its oversight process.
* Environmental Assessment: The process of evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a project. * Regulatory Approval: The approval of a project by the relevant regulatory authorities. * Conflict of Interest: A situation in which an individual’s personal interests conflict with their professional or public duties.
