Payments for quarry rehabilitation work approved and completed in 2018 are being processed through the required provincial departments, the Government of Manitoba says.
“We are relieved – and happy – that contractors who completed approved work last year to rehabilitate spent quarries finally will see cheques in their hands,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said. Lorenc said he has had email and verbal communications with provincial officials, including in political offices, indicating that the processing of cheques is nearing completion.
The MHCA has received calls and communications from members and other contractors who have waited a year or more for payment. In total, some $800,000 in payment is outstanding, according to figures provided by contractors to MHCA.
The Quarry Rehab Program, and the fund that pays for work to return quarried lands to conditions more amenable to community use, was the subject of an internal departmental investigation, which began in 2018. The results of the investigation have been turned over to the Auditor General for review.
Despite the payments being halted, aggregate producers have continued to pay their per-tonne fees toward the provincially administered quarry rehab fund.
“A number of rehab contractors have seen their businesses impaired by the halt to payments. Everyone saw their payments held up, even though the work they completed was approved and inspected by the province,” Lorenc noted.
The MHCA is continuing to monitor the program status and will keep contact with the province, especially as it relates to outstanding payments.