Investigation Report: Ombudsman Act –  Manitoba Sustainable Development and Manitoba Water Services Board

2017-10-25

Summary

We received complaints from ten individuals and the chief administrative officer of the Rural Municipality of Argyle, who alleged they were not provided with adequate notification about a proposed water project by the Town of Pilot Mound and therefore were unable to formally register their concerns with Manitoba Sustainable Development’s Environmental Approvals Branch. We determined that the public bodies involved with the implementation of the water project met legislative and regulatory requirements regarding public notification of the project. However, we are of the view that improvements can be made to ensure a more comprehensive notification process to allow individuals to fully participate in the review process. In addition, we suggested improvements to the communication and administrative coordination between the branches of Sustainable Development and the Manitoba Water Services Board with respect to providing information about projects.

Case 2014-0478