‘It needs to be taken seriously’ Manitoba Environment Act changes to protect waterways welcome

The province has announced changes to the Environment Act that will allow quicker action when it comes to spills and practices that may jeopardize the province’s lakes and waterways and for those with a deep love of these water bodies, they say tougher measures are needed.

“It’s probably a good thing for the lake. Anything they can do for the lake, but it’s going to take time and it’s more than just the sewage,” said Stephan Maclean. 

“This stuff is poisonous and it can kill you and it needs to be taken seriously.” 

Maclean is a former sailing instructor and seasonal camp-spot holder on Lake Winnipeg. He has spent his fair share of time on the water. He’s been sailing since 2003 and for almost a decade, he taught others to sail on the massive body of water just north of the city.

As someone who both camps and sails the lake, he says he’s pleased to hear the province is taking action to protect water bodies in the province like Lake Winnipeg, saying the situation is dire. 

“This past Fall was terrible.” 

Maclean says it’s not just the sewage that is contributing to poor conditions, as the lake serves as a massive catch basin for agriculture runoff in the region, and while any action is welcome, he doesn’t know if it’ll go far enough, as the lake’s current condition, ravaged by blue-green algae growths and other pollutants, is enough to make a person sick. 

“In our lifetime, I don’t know if we’ll see any change.” 

The strengthening of the Environment Act, announced Wednesday, comes after more than 228 million litres of raw sewage leaked into the Red River after wastewater infrastructure failed near the Fort Garry Bridge, causing alarm and outrage.

The changes will allow conservation officers to intervene on spills sooner with fines, as opposed to only after an investigation, the commitment also bringing with $10 million in funding for the city to improve wastewater infrastructure. 

In the legislature Wednesday, Interlake-Gimli PC MLA Derek Johnson accused the governing NDP of failing to act on the spill and putting both Lake Winnipeg and the province’s fishing industry at risk.

As she announced the changes, Environment Minister Tracy Schmidt fired back, alluding to the PC’s freezing of municipal operating grants during its time as the government contributed to past spills affecting the province’s water bodies. 

“All Manitobans are very concerned about this government’s failure,” said Johnson. “We’re here to work with our partners, unlike the previous government.” 

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, welcomed the announcement, saying in a statement Thursday. 

“We appreciate the province’s funding, and our Water & Waste department will provide options to put these resources to use immediately to protect the health of our rivers. Our goal is to continue investing in our multi-billion dollar plan to renew sewer infrastructure, and enhance our capabilities to resolve emergency situations quickly,” said Gillingham.

For Maclean, he says all levels of government, provincial, federal, and municipal, need to come together to protect the province’s waterways, saying they should be examining surrounding land-use practices and trying to restore wetlands — a natural filter — to keep pollutants out of the lake. 

“It’s more than just changing the water treatment in Winnipeg.”