Manitoba government appoints new chair and members to Clean Environment Commission

The Manitoba government has appointed a new chair and board members to the Clean Environment Commission (CEC), a provincial government agency which focuses on a range of initiatives such as providing resources and oversight to projects that impact the environment, programs for sites impacted by development, forest management approvals, and regional cumulative effects assessments.

“The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission plays an integral role in informing our government on matters related to environmental issues and licensing,” said Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes. “We rely on the opinions of experts and public input to help guide our environmental policies and the commission helps to facilitate this work. I look forward to the important contributions our new chair and new members will make to the commission and ensuring our environment is protected for generations.”

Aimée Craft will serve as chair of the CEC. Craft is an associate professor in the faculty of law at the University of Ottawa. A respected legal scholar and advocate for Indigenous and environmental law, Craft has long been a leader in advancing reconciliation, water governance, and sustainable decision-making. Previously, Craft served as director of research for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the director of research for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Aimée Craft, Chair, Manitoba Clean Environment Commission. Credit: KC Adams/University of Ottawa.

“The future and the environment matter to all Manitobans,” said Craft. “The CEC helps ensure that principled recommendations about past, ongoing and potential environmental impact are made through fair processes and that diverse types of knowledge can inform environmental decision-making in the province.”

Established under the Environment Act, the CEC offers advice and recommendations to the minister of environment and climate change on environmental policies and licensing. Additionally, the CEC provides opportunities for Manitobans to play a part in ensuring the protection of our environment, the minister noted.

The new board members include:

• Nora Casson (Winnipeg);
• Danika Bilie Littlechild (Winnipeg);
• Jennifer L. Schulz (Winnipeg);
• Glennis Lewis (Brandon);
• Deborah Smith (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation);
• Durdana Islam (Winnipeg);
• John Sinclair (Winnipeg);
• Laura Rempel (La Salle);
• Elaine McIvor (Wabowden);
• Cameron Armstrong (Winnipeg);
• Mark Hudson (Winnipeg);
• Alan Diduck (Winnipeg); and
• Donald Labossiere (Winnipeg).

Newly appointed members will join Serge Scrafield and Laurie Streich, who have been re-appointed to the board, the minister noted.

The minister thanked outgoing members for their service to the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission and Manitoba government.

For more information on the CEC, visit www.cecmanitoba.ca.

Featured image credit: Getty Images