Chris Lorenc, MHCA President & CEO, Nicole Chabot, chair, MHCA’s Aggregate Producers Committee, Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, Felicia Wiltshire, MHCA Vice-President, and Scott Aikman, co-chair, Quarry Rehabilitation Advisory Council.
On June 25, MHCA met with the Hon. Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, to reaffirm our longstanding collaborative relationship with the Mines Branch and discuss a range of industry issues.
The industry values the relationship and recognizes the critical enabling role the Branch plays in Manitoba’s infrastructure and construction economy, MHCA said.
From issuing quarry leases and casual permits to oversight of the quarry rehabilitation program, the Branch’s decisions directly impact the industry’s ability to plan projects, bid competitively, employ Manitobans, and deliver work that drives economic activity.
During the meeting, MHCA highlighted three key concerns: delays in permitting, a lack of communication, and inconsistent application of policies and regulations.
Permitting timelines
The timelines to obtain or renew private quarry permits, quarry leases, and casual permits can be both unpredictable and long. In some cases, applications have been left unresolved for three to five years, despite being submitted in full and on time. These delays affect planning and execution of multi-year contracts and create major challenges for companies trying to deliver critical infrastructure projects on schedule.
Communication and transparency
Better communication and transparency are needed. Applicants often receive no updates on the status of their files, and follow-up inquiries frequently go unanswered. In some instances, regulatory requirements have changed retroactively—such as the sudden enforcement of landowner agreements—with no formal notification or explanation to industry. MHCA stressed the importance of consistent, proactive communication, suggesting the implementation of regular bulletins or industry advisories to keep stakeholders informed.
Policy clarity and regulatory enforcement consistency
Industry has seen long-held lands unexpectedly sterilized or withdrawn without notice or explanation. Enforcement approaches can vary significantly depending on the inspector involved, leading to confusion and uncertainty. Clarity is needed on the status of previously discussed initiatives, like the pre-clearance of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure aggregate sites. Early communication is needed on any regulatory changes planned for 2025 and beyond.
The Mines Branch staff work hard to address these concerns, but the MHCA noted that many key positions remain unfilled, which continue to constrain progress.
As a next step, MHCA proposed a joint working group with the department to identify short-term actions, noting that major improvements likely won’t start until the 2026 construction season.
MHCA will continue to work with the Minister’s office to ensure that Manitoba’s regulatory environment supports timely permitting, consistent decision-making, and sustainable industry growth.
