St. Boniface councillor launches website to fight smell

WINNIPEG — City Councillor Matt Allard is continuing his efforts to tackle the smell in St. Boniface and Windsor Park.

On the Morning News On Global Winnipeg, Allard outlined a new website launched yesterday. Its goal is to gather feedback and complaints from residents about the odor.

The single page form is a copy of what’s required by Manitoba Conservation for complaints. It asks residents to document specific information in their complaint, such as date, time, possible source and how it personally impacts them.

“These operations are allowed with a license from the provincial government. It’s an environmental license that they need,” said Allard. “The license complies with specific requirements.”

Allard said when he initially raised the issue a few months ago, Manitoba Conservation officials basically confirmed a mushroom plant and meat processing plant appeared responsible for most of the smell.

Conservation staff evaluate the complaints as they come in, then meet with licensed companies to discuss potential improvements.

“My understanding is that there have been substantial upgrades to the mushroom plant,” said Allard, referring to Loveday Mushroom Farms on Mission Street.

The plants aren’t new to the area, neither are the smells. But the warm weather brings families outside, noted Allard, so it’s more noticeable.

Allard first brought up the St. B smell issue at a council meeting in January, before he realized it was a provincial issue and not a city issue.

To fill out a complaint form visit www.stbsmell.ca.