Springfield residents take silica sand project into their own hands

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This article was published 21/08/2023 (679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two councillors in the RM of Springfield have taken matters into their own hands with the launch of a referendum in hopes to slow down or stop the construction of a controversial silica plant in Vivian.

Led by Coun. Mark Miller and Andy Kuczynski, the referendum is meant to allow input from residents on whether they want the Sio Silica project to go forward or not. There are concerns that water may be contaminated for more than 100,000 people.

Many believe the warnings published in the Clean Environment Commission’s report released earlier this summer are a reason the Alberta-based company should not go ahead with its sand processing plant or mining operations in the area.

“These uncertainties along with the public outcry warrant us to go further,” Miller said. “We believe a private referendum will show and allow those residents to also have a voice going forward.”

The two councillors tried to get a referendum through council, but were not supported by Councillors Melinda Warren and Glen Fuhl or by Mayor Patrick Therrien.

The choice to go private means the movement will not be funded through tax dollars but instead from a GoFundMe page. Miller said the estimated cost could be as low as $2,000. Now, the referendum is running on volunteers along with four independent scrutineers.

Residents in the RMs of Springfield, Hanover, La Broquerie, Ste Anne, Taché, Brokenhead, Reynolds and St Clements and the City of Steinbach have the opportunity to phone in and vote whether they are for the project or against it.

“We’re hoping of course that we get people who also vote ‘yes’. We’re not restricting it, we’re not eliminating or we’re not taking away from the ‘yes’ or the ‘no’ side,” Miller said. “It’s going to be pretty much as transparent and honourable as possible.”

The councillors say they have a method of filtering out repeat calls and calls from irrelevant areas to ensure people are not calling multiple times to sway the tally.

Miller said as of Monday, the initial poll showed that most people are saying no to the project with roughly 300 voting against it and 20 voting for it.

Mayor Therrien said during a phone interview that the referendum is not supported by the RM of Springfield or council, adding that a statement on the situation was released on the municipal website.

“This referendum wasn’t authorized by the council. We were against the referendum and we articulated that in the chambers and that’s where it should have stayed,” Therrien said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a waste, but it’s a redundant thing that is going to be skewed. I feel strongly that it will be a skewed number that’s going in there.”

Therrien said he does not think the tactic will be effective and that “referendum surveys are synonymous with being unreliable.”

Miller said the referendum results will be given to Springfield council and the Manitoba Municipal Sand Advisory Committee, saying it will show the sentiment toward the project.

The results will also go to the province, where the final decision will be made.

Those wanting to participate can call 204-515-1252 from Aug. 13 until Sept. 18 to cast their vote. More information can be found at saveourwaterspringfield.com.