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Almost nine months ago, Manitoba’s NDP government initiated an investigation into allegations of potential wrongdoing involving the Sio Silica mining project. The investigation focuses on claims that members of the outgoing Progressive Conservative Party attempted to fast-track the project’s approval after their defeat in the October election.
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A formal investigation into the conduct of the Progressive Conservatives stemmed from complaints lodged by the NDP.
“The investigation is ongoing,” said Jeffrey Schnoor, the Ethics Commissioner for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, via email to the Winnipeg Sun.
Former cabinet ministers, Kevin Klein and Rochelle Squires said former Economic Development Minister Jeff Wharton asked them to approve the Sio Silica mining project before the NDP government were sworn in on Oct. 18. Both Klein and Squires have stated that they refused to approve the project, which remains under review.
Jeff Wharton has denied the allegations, stating that his intent was only to gather information about the project for the incoming NDP government. He also rejected claims by Squires that outgoing Premier Heather Stefanson was involved in the matter, explaining that Stefanson could not authorize the project due to a potential conflict of interest. Despite multiple inquiries, Stefanson has not publicly addressed the allegations, and her staff has declined requests for interviews. A statement from the Progressive Conservative caucus asserted that Stefanson respected due process and left all major decisions, including the Sio Silica project, to the incoming government.
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Since the investigation began, the Manitoba NDP government has rejected a proposal by Sio Silica to mine ultra-pure silica sand in southeastern Manitoba. This decision came two days after the province approved a different silica mining project near Lake Winnipeg. Premier Wab Kinew and Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt stated previously that the province would not issue an environmental license for the sand extraction project near Vivian, in the rural municipality of Springfield.
The province’s decision was based on expert reports, including findings from the Clean Environment Commission, and consultations with affected communities and First Nations. The Commission’s report raised significant environmental concerns about the project, which would have involved extracting sand through aquifers that provide drinking water to approximately 100,000 Manitobans.
The Premier’s office said the government continues to wait for the ethics investigation into the conduct of the former Progressive Conservative government to be released.
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