Appeals dismissed and company able to move forward with construction
Premier Wab Kinew and Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt joined Mayor Larry Johannson to announce the solar glass manufacturing facility planned for Selkirk is moving forward.
“Today, we are moving forward with Canadian Premium Sands (CPS) to mine critical minerals here in Manitoba. They will mine silica sand that will be used to manufacture solar glass panels at a brand new facility right here in Selkirk,” said Kinew
He said that this project would position Manitoba as a leader in the low carbon economy of the future.
“We will support CPS to establish Impact Benefit Agreements with First Nations and Métis governments. We want to ensure that our commitment to economic reconciliation is brought to life and how we carry this project to fruition,” said Kinew.
The Manitoba government has released information stating that this glass facility is projected to produce up to 800 tonnes of solar glass per day. The Manitoba Bureau of Statistics has assessed the overall economic impact of these projects which it reports would create 250 direct jobs for Manitobans as well as 600 to 700 jobs during the construction phase. The extraction project is estimated to create another 30 jobs near Hollow Water First Nation.
Schmidt said, “Manitoba has an opportunity to become a leader in clean energy and this project will move us forward towards that goal by helping us meet our net zero targets. Today’s announcement helps us do just that. It comes after months of careful review of the appeals by our government and this is over and above the lengthy review done by our departmental experts who issued the licenses first in 2023. Dismissing these appeals removes the final unknown for the company as they continue moving forward with the goal of having shovels in the ground this summer.”
The project received Environment Act licence approvals between 2019 and 2023.
Mayor Johannson called this announcement fantastic.
“We know the importance of a new clean green future for the generations of Manitobans to come. With this plan, and with Manitoba Hydro electricity, this green initiative will lead to Manitoba what oil and gas was to Alberta in the past. This is going to be the future,” said Johannson.
By Staff
