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 Aerial and ground level photos taken August 16-19 (click here) To see all EBCC photos (click here) |
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POSTED FEBRUARY 24, 2011
The EBCC is pleased to announce that on February 16, 2011, Bill Blaikie, Minister of Conservation, notified the EBCC of the decision of Manitoba Conservation that the parcels of land that have the caveat against them "should not be considered for permanent development of any type and should remain as an undeveloped recreational public beach area”. The province will NOT remove the non-development caveats despite extensive efforts by the Rural Municipality of St. Clements (RM). This means the Beaconia Beach land is now essentially worthless to any developer. |
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The parcels of land compose the parking lot area at Beaconia Beach that is the only non-water access point to the beach itself. The removal of the non-development caveats were crucial to the RM and Jeff Sopko, who were involved in a convoluted land swap/sale with the apparent aim of developing Beaconia Beach for non-public use (click here and here and see previous entry “What is Going On at Beaconia Beach? Update of March 30, 2010” for further background). |
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The RM was advised of Manitoba Conservation’s decision on December 7, 2010, yet did not include any documentation on this decision in their response to a Freedom of Information (FIPPA) request made by a private citizen. |
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The RM response to the FIPPA request discloses only some financial aspects regarding the land swap/sale. The EBCC leaves it to the reader to make their own judgements regarding the taxpayer costs of the six-figure “deal” - and the transparency of the RM actions. However, large amounts of correspondence were not provided, such as all contacts and records of negotiations that led to the land swap/sale. |
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Note that the RM response states the RM will not release a letter dated December 7, 2010 as it was reviewed by Council “in-camera”. December 7, 2010 is the date of the Manitoba Conservation letter advising the RM that the non-development caveats would not be removed. Coincidence? The RM also refers to Section 25(1)(n) of FIPPA, which states that information can be withheld if it could “be injurious to the conduct of existing or anticipated legal proceedings”. Perhaps the RM anticipates legal action from Jeff Sopko, as the RM was unable, despite extensive overt and covert attempts, to have the non-development caveats removed? |
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The RM appears to have abused the privilege of “in-camera” in many aspects surrounding the Beaconia Beach land swap/sale as well as the Beaconia Marsh canal excavation. |
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As such, the EBCC is not surprised to learn that the private citizen who requested information via FIPPA has subsequently filed a formal complaint with the Provincial Ombudsman. The complaint includes, but is not limited to, the RM’s obligation to adhere to FIPPA legislation and the possible misuse of the privilege of “in-camera”. The EBCC will notify you of the investigation results once they have been released. |
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