Conservation and Environment Library
Library Services
Introduction to the Public Registry
The Manitoba Environment Act proclaimed on March 31, 1988, replaced the Clean Environment Act of 1968. The Act is designed to improve environmental protection in Manitoba by anticipating and preventing environmental problems. All actions which may significantly affect the environment must be carefully scrutinized before construction or operation of a development in order to identify and deal with environmental impacts during the planning stages. A process is provided for issuing environmental licences for new developments which may have significant environmental impact. Public participation in this process is encouraged.
The Public Registry was established pursuant to Section 17 of the Environment Act. Through the Public Registry system, information concerning proposed developments is collected and made available to the public.
What is the Public Registry?
The Public Registry is a collection of development proposals filed under the Environment Act, located in the Conservation and Environment Library and in other Sub-Public Registry locations throughout the Province. Proposal summaries and licences are also available electronically through the e-registry.
Over time, the Public Registry has expanded to include files that are of interest to Manitobans, but are not necessarily proposals for development. Examples of these files include File 4189.00 : Environmental Legislation - Enforcement Reporting, File 4444.00 : Canada Manitoba Agreement for Environmental Assessment, and many others. File 4257.00 contains files pertaining to contaminated sites as designated under the Contaminated Sites Remediation Act.
How does the Public Registry work?
When a proposal for a development is filed with Manitoba Conservation, a client/registry file number is assigned. A notice is advertised in the local newspaper in the vicinity of the proposed development. The Public Registry locations where the files will be located are noted in the advertisement. Information about the proposal is regularly updated in the Public Registry as a proposal moves through the review process.
Contents of each Public Registry file
The following information, if applicable, is contained in each print file:
- proposal
- Environmental Impact Statement guidelines
- Environmental Impact Statement
- letters of public objection/concern; and departmental responses
- all Technical Advisory Committee correspondence
- approval summary
- Clean Environment Commission transcript
- Clean Environment Commission report
- Licence
The Main Public Registry
The Conservation and Environment Library at 160 - 123 Main Street has been designated as the main Public Registry and receives all documents filed with the Province. Files are arranged numerically, and a master client index is prepared for reference.
The Sub-Public Registries
To make information more accessible, Sub-Public Registries have been established around the Province. Currently, there is a network of over 20 Sub-Public Registries.
Most Sub-Public Registries are located in a public library with the hope that their extended hours of service will facilitate access to the information. These Sub-Public Registries have complete files for their local area, and a master index of developments for the entire province. This index contains information on file number, client name, location, date application was received, development class, operation type, licence number, date licence was issued, department contact name and telephone number, and Sub-Public Registry locations.
Other locations with information on the Public Registry
In addition to the network of Sub-Public Registries, Manitoba Conservation’s regional and district offices also receive and display a copy of the index.
The Approvals contact responsible for maintaining the files also informs the Secretary/Treasurer of the affected Municipal Offices and District Community Clerks when new applications are filed with the Department.
E-Registry
The Electronic Public Registry contains summary information and licences for several files from 1996 to the present. E-Registry files can be located by browsing the listing of files by year, or by searching the public registry database. More information on the finding aids are available on the main Public Registry page.
