The MHCA’s request to meet with Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen has been put off until the completion of the department’s internal investigation into the Quarry Rehabilitation Program fund.
“We respect there is an investigation proceeding, but the MHCA wants to proceed with what we see as necessary updates and improvements to the Quarry Rehabilitation Program,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said.
The program levies a per-tonne fee on aggregate producers who draw aggregate materials from pits and quarries around Manitoba. The fees are put into the Quarry Rehabilitation Fund, to pay for work to return the spent pits and quarries back to a more natural or recreational state.
Lorenc said the industry is anxious to see the investigation wrapped up as well because the department has halted the payments to contractors who have done rehabilitation work at pits and quarries.
This summer, all flow of funds from the program were halted pending the completion of the department’s investigation, but no other details were released.
The MHCA sent a letter to Pedersen November 14, requesting the meeting. Deputy Minister Dave Dyson replied this week, who said all matters relating to the program are on hold.
“Should you wish to follow up on the status of the program/review, please feel free to contact Jennifer Rogers, A/Manager of Aggregate Resources and Quarry Rehabilitation at 204-945-5325.”