Bill 37: The Environmental Statutes Amendment Act

This bill primarily affects Manitoba businesses that handle hazardous or dangerous goods, operate waste disposal facilities, seek environmental approvals or permits, or generate waste subject to recycling levies — think trucking companies hauling dangerous goods, industrial operators with environmental licences, construction firms, manufacturers, and landfill operators. Day-to-day activities touched include regulatory inspections of facilities, submitting compliance reports and environmental documents to the province, and paying levies tied to waste disposal volumes. The new fee authority means businesses could face charges not just for permits but for routine inspections and document reviews that were previously covered by government. Waste disposal operators also face a change in how their recycling support levy is calculated, shifting to a formula or tariff set by regulation.