Bipole Hearings: Weeks Three & Four: October 15-26, 2012

The CEC is conducting public hearing, as requested by the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship, about the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of constructing and operating Bipole III. Using information gathered from hearings, the CEC will prepare a report for the minister, with recommendations regarding the project, potential licence standards and other matters.

Individuals, groups, and organizations can register with the CEC to make presentations at the hearings.

Hearings were held in Thompson on October 15 & 16.

View October 15 & 16, 2012 Transcript of CEC Bipole III Hearings in Thompson

Hearings in Thompson began with public presentation on the evening of October 15, 2012.

Jason Cook, a Metis Harvester and Tapper, delivered a presentation on behalf of the community of Thicket Portage.

Norman Bignell, also a member of the Thicket Portage, delivered a presentation to the CEC.

Solomon Parenteau and Julyda Lagimodiere, then made a presentation to the CEC on behalf of the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) Northwest Region.

View October 15, 2012 Solomon Parenteau presentation (PPTX)

On the morning of October 16, 2012 Shannon Johnson, Manitoba Hydro Department Manager of Environmental Licensing and Assessment, delivered a presentation that provides an overview of the Bipole III project.

Participants and members of the public were given opportunity to ask questions of Ms. Johnson and Manitoba Hydro, but no questions were asked.

Next Robert Parenteau, a Metis elder and trapline holder, delivered a presentation with the assistance of Jason Cook and Julyda Lagimodiere.

View October 16, 2012 Robert Parenteau presentation (PPT)

Hearings in Thompson concluded with a presentation by Anita Campbell on behalf of the Metis Women of Manitoba.

View October 16, 2012 Anita Campbell presentation (PDF)
View MMF Bipole III Transmission Project Updated Position Paper

Hearings were held in The Pas October 17 & 18.

View October 17 & 18, 2012 Transcript of CEC Bipole III Hearings in The Pas (PDF)

Hearings in Thompson began with public presentation on the evening of October 17, 2012.

Darrel Ferland, an MMF Board Member who is also the MMF co-minister for Hydro delivered a presentation.

Edwin Jebb, a resident of Opaskwayak Cree Nation resources user, trapper, and recreational fisherman presented next.

The evening of the October 17, 2012 concluded with questions from public in attendance being asked of Manitoba Hydro.

The morning of October 18, 2012 began with a presentation by Opaskwayak Cree Nation Councillor Phillip Dorion and Opaskwayak Cree Nation Natural Resources Manager Mary Head.

Next, Katherine Joyal, a Metis women who owns land that will be crossed by the proposed Bipole III transmission line, delivered a presentation to the CEC.

Hearings in The Pas concluded with the CEC panel directing questions towards Manitoba Hydro.

• October 18, 2012 presentation by Opaskwayak Cree Nation Councillor Phillip Dorion and Opaskwayak Cree Nation Natural Resources Manager Mary Head

One day of hearings was held in Dauphin October 22, 2012.

View October 22, 2012 Transcript of CEC Bipole III Hearings in Dauphin (PDF)

Hearings in Dauphin began with Shannon Johnson, Manitoba Hydro Department Manager of Environmental Licensing and Assessment, delivering an overview presentation on the Bipole III project. Members of the public were then given an opportunity to ask questions of Ms. Johnson and Manitoba Hydro.

There were numerous presenters from Pine Creek First Nation at the Dauphin CEC hearings. This included:

• the current Chief of Pine Creek First Nation, Chief Charles Bushie;
• Pine Creek Elders Gordy Bass, Francis Nepinak, George Munro, Reg Nepinak, and Donal Catcheway;
• Pine Creek Trappers Louis Chartrand and Willy Beauchamp;
• as well as Pine Creek employees Marvin MaKay, Rene Gambler and Calvin Meekish.

Questions asked on behalf of Pine Creek First Nation also resulted in the release of a presentation Manitoba Hydro had previously delivered to Pine Creek First Nation members in regards to the impact Bipole III would have the local watershed of Pine Creek First Nation.

View Manitoba Hydro Pine Creek Watershed study presentation (PDF)

Camperville Chief Billy Delaronde and Vice-Chief David Chartrand, MMF northwest region board member John Parenteau, and West Region Tribal Council employee Cindy Mckay also delivered presentations.

One day of hearings was held in Portage La Prairie October 24, 2012.

View October 24, 2012 Transcript of CEC Bipole III Hearings in Portage La Prairie (PDF)

The morning began with Gerald Neufeld, Manitoba Hydro Division Manager of Transmission Planning, providing an overview presentation on the proposed Bipole III project. Participants and members of the public in attendance were then given the opportunity to ask questions.

In the afternoon presentations were made by:

• Blaine Pederson, Member of the Manitoba Legislature for Midland
• Barry Pugh, a farmer from west of Portage whose land will be traversed by Bipole III
• Jim Pederson, a farmer from near Elm Creek whose land will be traversed by Bipole III
• Ray Franzmann, a Councillor for the Rural Municipality off Grey.
• John Fleury, an elected board member of the MMF
• Calvin Penner, a farmer southeast of Elm Creek whose land will be traversed by Bipole III
• Monique Graafland and Helen Graafland whose property will be traversed by Bipole III
• Ted Tkachyk, a member of the public

In Portage la Prairie speakers for the Long Plain First Nation indicated there are routing problems with respect to both endangered plants, and historic sites which Manitoba Hydro has not responded to.

Portage la Prairie presentations are now available on the CEC Manitoba website on both page 3 and page 4 of the presentations

View October 26, 2012 Transcript of CEC Bipole III Hearings in Niverville (PDF)

It appears there were 15 presentations in Niverville but none are posted on the CEC website as of November 2, 2012. See the CEC Manitoba website to view presentations from other locations on the CEC Bipole III hearings tour.

Return to Bipole III Proceedings and Hearings Listing