Open and Democratic Review of Hog Production in Manitoba

Whereas, the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) will investigate the environmental sustainability of hog production in Manitoba; and

Whereas, a moratorium on new and expanded hog barns will be put in place until the CEC public review is complete; and

Whereas, 17 or so hog barn proposals are currently in process and at least one of these proposals involves the probable degradation of a local aquifer that supplies drinking water to the Swan Lake First Nation and Town of Swan Lake; and

Whereas, source water protection plans are a cornerstone of Manitobas new Water Protection Act and a key element in ensuring a communities healthy water supply; and

Whereas, OlyWest plans to build a slaughterhouse in Winnipeg capable of killing 2.25 million hogs per year and is currently going into a CEC hearing process.

Be it resolved that, all hog barn proposals currently in process be immediately suspended and included in the moratorium, and that this moratorium include the suspension of the CEC hearings called for OlyWest.

Be it further resolved that, the CEC investigation for hog production be in the form of a full hearing, governed by the Manitoba Evidence Act and allow for motions, cross examination, powers of subpoena and participant funding.