Current Issues:

Notice of Environment Act Proposal

Manitoba Conservation
Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch

Attn: Ryan Coulter, Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch

Re: Notice of Environment Act Proposal, file #3741.10: Louisiana Pacific Corporation, dated January 29, 2009

The Green Party of Manitoba (GPM), on behalf of all Manitobans, is contesting Louisiana Pacific Canada Limited's request of January 29, 2009, to alter the Environment Act so as to allow the discontinuing of their use of Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs) for the control of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions and other toxic substances. Louisiana Pacific is also seeking an increase in their allowable emissions limits, in the processing of oriented strand board (OSB) at their plant located in Rural Municipality of Minitonas, Manitoba.

The GPM is calling for the Government of Manitoba to act in a transparent manner on this issue, by ensuring that public Clean Environment Commission (CEC) hearings take place across Manitoba regarding the use of RTOs in the manufacturing of OSB products at Louisiana Pacific Canada's Swan River plant. Furthermore, the Government of Manitoba needs to grant intervenor funding to all interested parties, to ensure first and foremost that the public is able to protect its interest. We are also calling for an independent overview of the efficacy of RTOs as well as an exhaustive account of the public health and ecological risks associated with VOC emissions.

Until these hearings are concluded, the GPM is also calling for an immediate revocation of the interim approval unilaterally granted by Minister Stan Struthers (January 8, 2009) to Louisiana Pacific to cease the use of RTOs.

James R. Beddome
Leader: Green Party of Manitoba

<< < March 2010 > >>

About the Green Party of Manitoba:

The Green Party of Manitoba was officially established in 1998. The aim of the Green Party is to educate the public and government about the fallacy in believing that the "environment" is a separate issue from the other issues that Manitobans are concerned about. A truly sustainable society requires a fundamental acknowledgement of all the social, economic and ecological factors that are involved when implementing government policy and evaluating its outcomes. Green Party of Manitoba policies can be found Here.