When corporate interests trump the human right to clean drinking water - a case of concern in Manitoba, Canada.

by Don Sullivan - Canadian Dimension 

Don Sullivan (above) is the spokesperson for What The Frack Manitoba, the former director of the Boreal Forest Network and special adviser to the government of Manitoba on the Pimachiowin Aki UNESCO World Heritage site. He's a research affiliate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and a Queen Golden Jubilee medal recipient.

Two corporations, both Alberta-based, are in the midst of seeking Government of Manitoba approval to build and operate silica sand mines and processing facilities that would extract and process some 2.6 million tonnes of silica sand per year. Story here.

RELATED:

"Is Manitoba's Brokenhead River about to become a dumping ground for an Alberta-based sand-mining company?"

Canadian doctors link fracked natural gas to cancer and birth defects

straight

A protest sign in a window in Halifax.
Photo by Tony Webster.

MDs also call attention to fracking-associated links to pollution and global warming. Story here.

RELATED:

Is the "Dubious Duo" of Fracking & Earthquakes More Common in Canada Than we Know? Planet In Peril Wonders...

We’re Just Starting to Learn How Fracking Harms Wildlife

EcoWatch

A PinP photo.

Spills highlight the dangers that come with unconventional fossil-fuel extraction techniques that go after hard-to-reach pockets of oil and gas using practices like horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing (otherwise known as fracking). Details here.

The research is in - stop fracking ASAP!

By Barbara Gottlieb | OTHERWORDS

Over 1,500 reports show there’s simply no safe way to do it — and it’s harming us all every day it goes on. Story here.

Peace camp set up in Manitoba's Hollow Water First Nation to oppose sand mine project

APTN national news.

A proposed silica sand mine project on Lake Winnipeg has one First Nations community divided. Story here.

Related: Frack sand mining coming to Manitoba. And soon.

Buckle Up Folks - Getting to the East Side of Lake Winnipeg is Going to be a Lot More Dangerous by Road.

by Don Sullivan

Story here.

Jack Pine

I would encourage you all to take a few minutes out of your day today and email the Manitoba Minister of Sustainable Development at; minsdev@leg.gov.mb.ca and send a similar email that I have sent below. If necessary copy and paste the one that I sent below and add your name.

Dear Minister of Sustainable Development,

I am writing to address an urgent matter and seek clarification from you on this matter regarding File: 5991.00 - Canadian Premium Sand Inc. - Wanipigow Sand Extraction Project.

In its Environmental Act Proposal Submission, Canadian Premium Sand (The Company), indicates that they will, prior to receiving a Class 2 Licence for the entire project, undertake site clearing and infrastructure construction sometime in February/March 2019. ( EAP submission Part 1 Executive Summary)

The Company will need to receive works permits issued under the Crown Lands Act under Section 7(1)(c).

For the record I am strongly opposed to any such permit being issued to the Company for any such activity prior to an issuance of a Class 2 Licence under the Manitoba Environment Act.

We therefore seek clarification and a guarantee from you, as soon as possible, that no such permits will be issued by the government of Manitoba under any circumstance until the Company has obtained its Class 2 Licence under the Manitoba Environment Act.

Respectfully,

Consultation or Coercion – You Tell Me

Is a controversial “frac sand mine”about to go ahead on the east side of Manitoba's Lake Winnipeg without proper consent?

by Don Sullivan

Whenever there is an activity or development, such as the frac sand mine and processing facility being proposed adjacent to Hollow Water First Nation (“HWFN”), that may have an impact on Treaty Rights, the Crown not only has a duty but a legal obligation to consult with the affected First Nation community. Story here.

Don Sullivan has worked on, and written about issues affecting the East Side of Lake Winnipeg for almost 27 years.

The sand mine referred to here would supply fracking operations with a product needed for them to thrive and survive. Is this what the world needs? Please also read:

The Natural Gas Industry has a Leak Problem.

Please also read: The World is Running Out of Sand - the Smithsonian.

Man's demands on Earth's resources are nothing new. This painting depicts
sand miners in Poland - circa 1867. Courtesy the National Museum in Warsaw.