Presentation to the Manitoba Government
on Bill 33
June 6, 2005

You can't have it both ways

This government wants us to believe it is serious about protecting water quality. Manitoba is the first province to have a Department of Water Stewardship and a Water Protection Act. This government wants to be seen as leaders in environmental advocacy, fighting to protect Lake Winnipeg from our American neighbours (Manitoba Praised for fight against Devils Lake, Winnipeg Free Press, June 6, 2005). This government wants to be seen as leaders in empowering the public to assist in the clean up of Lake Winnipeg; this is a key component of the mandate of both the Water Stewardship Board (Our Collective Responsibility, Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board) and clearly, the Government of Manitoba (Clean Water; A hands-on guide to keeping Manitoba's water clean and healthy.) This government challenges farmers, municipalities, homeowners, cottage owners and industry to participate in the restoration of Lake Winnipeg. You challenge all of us to properly dispose of waste, especially hazardous waste, to reduce water usage, to limit fertilizer and pesticide use, especially within 30 metres of waterways, to repair potential leaks to prevent contamination, and to put pet waste “in the trash, not on the grass where it can contaminate surface or groundwater.” Pet waste.

Is it a bad thing that the government wants to place the onus on us to protect our water resources? No. It's fine and it's right. You are right to enlist our opinion, advice, assistance, and financial support to protect the lake. It belongs to all of us and we are all responsible for both the condition it is currently under and the condition it will be under in the future. “Doing nothing is not an option” the government tells us. Okay. Let us do something. Let us all work together to clean it up. Great.

However, if this government wants the public to live up to our shared responsibility, it will have to lead by example. If this government wants our opinions for the Water Stewardship Board, it had better be prepared to listen to our opinions about Intensive Livestock Operations. You are not going to fool anybody. Changing the name of this legislation from Bill 40 to Bill 33 does not hide what you are attempting to do. Demands for public participation in the planning process are not going to go away. The people of Manitoba do not profit from mass-produced livestock being exported out of this province and out of this country. The people of Manitoba do not want Intensive Livestock Operations in our backyards. Human health, environmental health, and water quality must become priorities over industry pressure to expand ILO's in Manitoba.

You can't have it both ways. Expect us to do our part, fine. But do your part, too. Prove to us that you mean what you say. As a parent, I learned that “Do as I say, not as I do” never worked. This government needs to walk the talk. Start using compost instead of fertilizer on all Crown property; stop using pesticides within 30 metres of waterways (or better yet, altogether) and finally, prove to us that you really care about public concern over the quality of our water by coming up with a planning act that includes meaningful public participation. Because one way or another, we will be heard.

Thank you.