Hearings
Crystal Springs Colony Wastewater Treatment Lagoon Proposal
On September 12, 2025, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, asked the Clean Environment Commission to conduct a public hearing to consider the potential environmental and public health effects of the proposal.
Terms of Reference
A link to the terms of reference can be found below. Further details regarding the review and the hearing will be posted as they become available.
Background Information
Panel Members
Aimée Craft - Chair
Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. Previously, Craft was the 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. Some of the honours Craft has received include the Faculty of Law’s Distinguished Service Award, University of Ottawa’s Knowledge Mobilization Award, Canadian Bar Association’s President’s Award, Order of Ontario and numerous book awards. Craft has a Master of Law and society from the University of Victoria, Bachelor of Law from the University of Ottawa (French Common Law Program), and Bachelor of Arts jointly from the University of Manitoba and Université de Saint Boniface.
Lydia Carpenter – Commissioner
Owns and operates a cattle and livestock business near Belmont, Manitoba. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors and provides facilitation, mediation, conflict resolution and farm transition coaching to farms and ranches across Canada and the USA with Farm Family Coach Inc. Ms. Carpenter has worked and volunteered for various food and farm organizations in Manitoba. Her past appointments include serving on the board of Direct Farm Manitoba, as committee chair for Holistic Management Canada, as a La Via Campesina delegate at COP22 in Marrakech, as Vice President of policy for the National Farmers Union, and as a Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmer Alumni. Ms. Carpenter holds a Master of Natural Resources Management from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She has additional training in mediation, negotiation and dispute resolution and executive coaching.
Donald Labossiere - Commissioner
Formerly the Director of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement at Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship. Previously, Labossiere held various roles as Assistant Director, Supervisor, Officer and Chemist in environmental organizations.
Public Sessions
The hearing has been scheduled to take place on April 21, 22 and 23, 2026 in Fraserwood and the Fraserwood Community Hall. Tentative daily hearing schedules are posted below.
Become a Presenter
There is an evening session scheduled for April 22 for public presentations. If you, your group, or organization is interested in making a presentation at this hearing session hearing sessions, please register by April 15. All presentations are limited to 15 minutes unless prior arrangements have been made with the commission office. The Chair may reduce this time limit based on the volume of registrations received to ensure that everyone who registers can speak. To register please complete a presenter registration form available below and submit to the commission via email or postal mail.
If you wish to make your presentation in French or an Indigenous language, please let us know when registering.
You may also make a written submission. Written submissions are welcome until April 7. Submissions can be sent to cec@cecmanitoba.ca or by postal mail.
Become a Participant
The hearing Panel is accepting applications for Participants until four weeks before the commencement of the hearings. A date will be provided once the hearing dates are set. If you want the ability to question the proponent, provide expert evidence or bring your own expert opinion please apply to be a participant. A link to the participant application form can be found below. Completed applications should be sent to cec@cecmanitoba.ca. Participants should also become familiar with the hearing process guidelines. A specific hearing directive will also be developed and must be followed.
Presentations
H-001 Environmental Approvals Branch - Department Presentation
H-002 Proponent Presentation
H-003 CEC Advisor Presentation
H-004 RM of Gimli – Mayor Presentation
H-005 RM of Gimli – Expert Presentation
Transcripts
Transcript April 21, 2026
Transcript April 22, 2026
Transcript April 23, 2026
Written Submissions
WS – 01 Inga Thorsteinson
WS – 01a Inga Thorsteinson
WS – 02 Tanya Mishtak
WS – 02 Tanya Mishtak - Attachments
WS – 03 Susan Champagne Shapiro
WS - 04 Kathleen Booth-Smith
WS – 05 Sheri Flores
WS – 06 Ron and Patricia Scott
WS - 07 Sheri Flores – Lagoon and Trail
WS – 08 Grace Van Mil
WS – 09 Barbara A Smith
WS – 10 Laura Smith
WS – 11 Sam McLean
WS - 12 Rob Tkach
WS – 13 Felipe Flores