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What is the Manitoba Water Council?

The Manitoba Water Council is a statutory body established under the authority of the Water Protection Act (Section 24). Its members are appointed by Order-in-Council of the Lieutenant Governor for Manitoba.

The Council is the senior advisory board reporting to the Minister of Water Stewardship. It coordinates and oversees the work of all provincial advisory bodies on water protection, and is an important consultative mechanism for government on province-wide water issues.

The Council advises the Minister on policies, programs, plans and legislation to achieve he government's goal of the best water for all forms of life and lasting prosperity. The Council represents the regional diversity of Manitoba, and includes local government, agricultural, and environmental perspectives. The Council helps to build consensus among Manitobans on sustainable solutions to the province's challenges for the protection and management of water quality and quantity.

The Manitoba Water Council provides a vital link between existing stewardship and advisory bodies such as the Lake Manitoba Stewardship Board and the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board.

Public Consultation

SEEKING MANITOBANS?
PERSPECTIVES ON WETLANDS

Wetlands are a vital part of our environment and economy. The Manitoba Water Council wants to know how you feel about the management and conservation of wetlands in Manitoba. Sharing your views will help the council in advising the Minister of Water Stewardship.

Open house meetings will be held at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in:

The Pas June 9 Kikiwak Inn, Hiway 10
Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Dauphin June 10 Legion Hall 309, Main Street North
Winnipeg June 14 Finish Line Banquet Room,
Assiniboia Downs
Thompson June 17 Thompson Wildlife Association Hall,
Thompson Drive Recreation Grounds
Lac du Bonnet June 26 Legion Hall, 45 McArthur Street
Arborg July 5 Arborg Bifrost Recreation Centre,
409 Recreation Centre
Steinbach July 6 Studio A Steinbach Arts Council,
304 2nd Street
Winkler July 8 Winkler Library, 160 Main St. South
Shoal Lake July 12 Community Hall, 315 The Drive
Melita July 13 Legion Hall, 95 Main Street
Brandon July 14 Riverbank Discovery Centre,
#1 - 545 Conservation Drive

The public will have the opportunity to make short, verbal submissions as well as time to complete a Wetlands questionnaire and review a Wetlands workbook. If you wish to pre-register to make a verbal submission at your community meeting or receive an advance copy of the Wetlands questionnaire and workbook visit our website at www.manitobawatercouncil.ca or email water.council@gov.mb.ca.

Hardcopies of the questionnaire and workbook are available by calling 945-1007. You can also submit your ideas in writing by August 15, 2010 to:

Mail: Manitoba Water Council
Re: Wetland Public Consultations
Box 11, 200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3

Public Consultation

SEEKING MANITOBANS?
PERSPECTIVES ON WETLANDS

Wetlands are a vital part of our environment and economy. The Manitoba Water Council wants to know how you feel about the management and conservation of wetlands in Manitoba. Sharing your views will help the council in advising the Minister of Water Stewardship.

Open house meetings will be held at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in:

The Pas June 9 Kikiwak Inn, Hiway 10
Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Dauphin June 10 Legion Hall, 309 Main Street North
Winnipeg June 14 Finish Line Banquet Room
Assiniboia Downs
Thompson June 17 Thompson Wildlife Association Hall,
Thompson Drive Recreation Grounds
Lac du Bonnet June 26 Legion Hall, 45 McArthur Street
Arborg July 5 Arborg Bifrost Recreation Centre,
409 Recreation Centre
Steinbach July 6 Studio A Steinbach Arts Council,
304 2nd Street
Winkler July 8 Winkler Library, 160 Main St. South
Shoal Lake Manitoba July 12 Community Hall, 315 The Drive
Melita July 13 Legion Hall, 95 Main Street
Brandon July 14 Riverbank Discovery Centre,
#1 - 545 Conservation Drive

The public will have the opportunity to make short, verbal submissions as well as time to complete a Wetlands questionnaire and review a Wetlands workbook. If you wish to pre-register to make a verbal submission at your community meeting or receive an advance copy of the Wetlands questionnaire and workbook visit our website at www.manitobawatercouncil.ca or email water.council@gov.mb.ca.

Hardcopies of the questionnaire and workbook are available by calling 945-1007. You can also submit your ideas in writing by August 15, 2010 to:

Mail: Manitoba Water Council
Re: Wetland Public Consultations
Box 11, 200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3

Responsibilities of the Manitoba Water Council

As set out in the Water Protection Act:

  • To monitor the development and implementation of watershed management plans in the province
  • To review regulations respecting water quality management zones, and provide advice to the Minister
  • To advise the Minister about matters relating to water generally
  • To coordinate the activities of advisory boards and similar entities that perform functions relating to water, including advisory boards and other entities specified by regulation
  • To assist in reporting sustainability indicators relating to water
  • Any other duties assigned to it by an Act or regulation

Purpose and Mandate

The Council brings together the expertise and experience of its members, under a consensus-based partnership, for the purpose of:

  • advising the Minister on a broad spectrum of matters relating to water
  • providing direction and advice of a consensus position to the government, stakeholders and the public on water-related issues
  • assisting in reporting sustainability indicators relating to water
  • monitoring the development and implementation of watershed management plans in the province
  • reviewing regulations respecting water quality management zones and providing advice to the Minister
  • coordinating the activities of advisory boards and similar entities that perform functions relating to water, including advisory boards and other entities specified by legislation
  • performing any other duties assigned to it by an Act or regulation
  • as per clause 28, acting on any Ministerial request within their responsibilities and in accordance with the terms of reference, considering the matter and providing a written report of findings and recommendations

Guiding Principles

Council members, as individuals and as an assembly, are:

Supportive
of the vision, mission and principles adopted by the department of Water Stewardship.

Trustworthy
Council will earn public trust as an independent advisory body to government, stakeholders and the public, supported by credible data and information.

Fair
Members agree to deliberate in the best interest of the citizens of Manitoba and to do their best in representing the provincial mandate from their own unique perspective and background, and in so doing shall not advocate their own organizational interests or mandates.

Transparent
Council will be visible and accessible with established processes to bring issues forward and to communicate Council activities.

Timely
The Council will respond to priority issues in a reasonable fashion.

Innovative
The Council will bring together expertise and experience to find the best solutions to provincial water management issues.

Collaborative
Council will identify common initiatives and recommend collaboration where it is beneficial.

Consensus Building
Recognize that building a consensus perspective is mandated for the advisory aspects and roles of the Council. It is also recognized that it may perform as an appeal body and is responsible to come to make a decision in an acceptable time frame and may need to use other democratic mechanisms to achieve such.

Duties of the Manitoba Water Council

The Water Council has, subject to the direction of the Minister, the following duties:

Providing advice to government, stakeholders and the public on water issue priorities and policies

Council will review issues, identify priorities and maintain a list of existing and emerging water issues. Council will make recommendations based on consensus to government, stakeholders and public on the solutions to these issues. Council will provide policy advice to government and stakeholders.

Advocating for education and awareness

Council will raise the awareness and understanding of Manitobans about water issues facing the province and encourage Manitobans to show leadership and to take action to improve water management in the province.

Advocating for water conservation

Council will investigate options to improve water conservation in Manitoba, including economic instruments, improved knowledge sharing, and development and implementation of best practices.

Advising government, stakeholders and the public on provincial research priorities

Council will gather research requirements from others, examine current research, identify research needs and advise on research priorities and funding requirements.

The Council is required to make formal presentation and report to the Minister on an annual basis. Further it is to provide interim reports or presentations as required by issue to the Minister or Deputy Minister.