If you need an official copy, use the bilingual (PDF) version. This version was current from June 2, 2017 to June 3, 2018.
Note: It does not reflect any retroactive amendment enacted after June 3, 2018.
To find out if an amendment is retroactive, see the coming-into-force provisions
at the end of the amending Act.
C.C.S.M. c. W80
The Water Rights Act
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:
In this Act,
"agricultural purposes" means the use of water at a rate of more than 25,000 litres per day for the production of primary agricultural products, but does not include the use of water for irrigation purposes; (« fins agricoles »)
"aquatic ecosystem" means the components of the earth related to, living in or located in or on water or the beds or shores of a water body, including but not limited to
(i) all organic and inorganic matter, and
(ii) all living organisms and their habitat,
and their interacting natural systems; (« écosystème aquatique »)
"construct", in relation to works and water control works, includes alter, reconstruct or improve; (« construire »)
"divert" includes block, dam, impound, obstruct, interfere with, remove, dispose of, alter or change the course or position of, or disturb, whether wholly or partially, any water whether flowing or at rest; (« dériver »)
"domestic purposes" means the use of water, obtained from a source other than a municipal or community water distribution system, at a rate of not more than 25,000 litres per day, for household and sanitary purposes, for the watering of lawns and gardens, and the watering of livestock and poultry; (« fins domestiques »)
"industrial purposes" means the use of water obtained from a source other than a municipal or community water distribution system, for the operation of an industrial plant producing goods or services other than primary agricultural products, but does not include the sale or barter of water for those purposes or the use of water for recreational purposes; (« fins industrielles »)
"irrigation purposes" means the use of water at a rate of more than 25,000 litres per day for the artificial application to soil to supply moisture essential to plant growth; (« fins d'irrigation »)
"licence" means a licence issued under this Act; (« licence »)
"licensee" means a person who holds a valid and subsisting licence; (« détenteur d'une licence »)
"maintain", in relation to works or water control works, includes keep in existence; (« entretenir »)
"minister" means the member of the Executive Council charged by the Lieutenant Governor in Council with the administration of this Act; (« ministre »)
"municipal purposes" means the use of water by a municipality or a community for the purpose of supplying a municipal or community water distribution system for household and sanitary purposes, for industrial use or uses related to industry, for the watering of streets, walks, paths, boulevards, lawns and gardens, for the protection of property, for the flushing of sewers, and for other purposes usually served by a municipal or community water distribution system; (« fins municipales »)
"officer" means
(a) an officer appointed under section 17.1, and
(b) a conservation officer appointed under The Conservation Officers Act; (« agent »)
"permit" means a permit issued under this Act; (« permis »)
"permittee" means a person who holds a valid and subsisting permit; (« détenteur d'un permis »)
"water" means all water on or below the surface of the ground; (« eau »)
"water body" means any location where water flows or is present, whether the flow or the presence of water is continuous, intermittent or occurs only during a flood, and includes wetlands and aquifers; (« plan d'eau »)
"water control works" means any dyke, dam, surface or subsurface drain, drainage, improved natural waterway, canal, tunnel, bridge, culvert borehole or contrivance for carrying or conducting water, that
(a) temporarily or permanently alters or may alter the flow or level of water, including but not limited to water in a water body, by any means, including drainage, or
(b) changes or may change the location or direction of flow of water, including but not limited to water in a water body, by any means, including drainage; (« ouvrages de régularisation des eaux »)
"well" means an artificial orifice in the ground constructed for the purpose of obtaining water; (« puits »)
"works" includes any excavation, well, structure, plant, operation or contrivance that diverts, or may divert, or is likely to divert water. (« ouvrages »)
S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 2; S.M. 2005, c. 26, s. 42; S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 2; S.M. 2015, c. 4, s. 29.
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, all property in, and all rights to the use, diversion or control of, all water in the province, insofar as the legislative jurisdiction of the Legislature extends thereto, are vested in the Crown in right of Manitoba.
Prohibition against use of water
Except as otherwise provided in this Act or the regulations, no person shall
(a) in any manner whatsoever use or divert water, unless he or she holds a valid and subsisting licence to do so; or
(b) construct, establish, operate or maintain any works, unless he or she holds a valid and subsisting licence to do so; or
(c) control water or construct, establish, operate or maintain any water control works, unless he or she holds a valid and subsisting licence to do so.
Subsection (1) does not apply
(a) to a person exercising a right under any other Act of the Legislature or any Act of the Parliament of Canada; or
(b) to a person using water for domestic purposes, where the person has lawful access to the water; or
(c) to a person who constructs a well to obtain water for domestic purposes.
Removal of unauthorized works or water control works
Where a person is using, diverting or controlling water or has constructed or established or is operating or maintaining any works or water control works in breach of section 3, the minister may make an order requiring the person, within a period of time stated in the order,
(a) to cease using or diverting the water; or
(b) to remove the works or water control works; or
(b.1) to cease controlling the water; or
(c) to repair or reconstruct or alter the works or water control works in a manner stated in the order;
as the case may be, and the order shall further state that if the person to whom it is directed fails to comply with the order, an officer or another person authorized by the minister may, without further notice or legal process and at the expense of the person, take or cause to be taken the steps set out in subsection (3).
An order made under subsection (1) shall be served on the person to whom it is directed
(a) by personal service; or
(a.1) by registered mail addressed to the last known address of the person to whom it is directed; or
(b) by leaving a copy of the order with an adult person on the affected land; or
(c) by posting a copy of the order in a conspicuous place on the affected land, if no adult person is found thereon.
Removing works or water control works
Where after service in accordance with subsection (2) of an order made under subsection (1) the person to whom it is directed fails to comply therewith, an officer or a person authorized by the minister may, without further notice or legal process and at the expense of the person, do or cause to be done such things as he or she deems necessary to stop the use, diversion or control of the water, or cause the works or water control works to be breached, blocked, filled, demolished or removed or to be otherwise dealt with as he or she deems necessary or advisable to enforce the order, as the case may be.
An officer or a person authorized by the minister may enter upon or cross any lands for the purpose of taking any of the steps authorized under subsection (3).
Any expense incurred in taking or causing to be taken the steps authorized under subsection (3) for the purpose of enforcing an order made under subsection (1) is a debt due to the Crown and is recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction from the person to whom the order is directed.
[Repealed] S.M. 2005, c. 26, s. 42.
[Repealed] S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 3.
S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40; S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 5; S.M. 2005, c. 26, s. 42; S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 3.
Subject to section 7, the minister may issue a licence to any person who applies therefor, authorizing
(a) the use or diversion of water for any purpose; or
(b) the construction, establishment, operation or maintenance of works for any purpose; or
(c) the control of water and the construction, establishment, operation or maintenance of water control works.
Terms and conditions of licences
Every licence is subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the regulations and such further terms and conditions as may be required by the minister.
[Repealed] S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40.
Every licence shall be in a form prescribed in the regulations or, where that form is not so prescribed, in a form prescribed by the minister.
S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40; S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 6.
An application for a licence shall be submitted to the minister and shall contain or have enclosed therewith such information, particulars and plans as may be prescribed in the regulations.
Form of application for licence
An application for a licence shall be in a form prescribed in the regulations or, where that form is not so prescribed, in a form prescribed by the minister.
Where, by reason of the scope and nature of the use, diversion or control of water or the construction, establishment, operation or maintenance of works or water control works proposed in an application for a licence and their possible impact on other persons, the minister so directs, the applicant shall, forthwith after submitting the application, publish or cause to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected, a notice of the application, and the notice shall state
(a) the nature of the licence applied for;
(b) that any person wishing to object to the application may do so in writing to the minister within 15 days of the publication of the notice; and
(c) any other information or particulars that the minister may require.
Upon expiry of the 15 days provided in subsection (3) in respect of any application, and before the minister determines whether or not to grant the application, a public hearing shall be held before the Municipal Board at which any person may make representations, either himself or through counsel, for or against the application.
Where it is necessary to carry out any preliminary work prior to the use, diversion or control of water or the construction or establishment of works or water control works, the minister shall not issue a licence authorizing the use, diversion or control of the water or the construction or establishment of the works or water control works until the preliminary work has been completed.
No person shall commence or carry out any preliminary work required under subsection (1) unless and until he obtains a permit authorizing the preliminary work.
The minister may issue a permit to any person who applies therefor, authorizing any preliminary work required under subsection (1), and the permit may also authorize the permittee to enter upon public or private lands to make surveys and do such other things as the minister deems necessary to carry out the preliminary work.
Terms and conditions of permits
Every permit is subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the regulations and such further terms and conditions as may be required by the minister.
An application for a permit required under subsection (2) shall be submitted to the minister and shall contain or have enclosed therewith
(a) such information, particulars and plans relating to the proposed use, diversion or control of water or the proposed construction or establishment of works or water control works as the minister may require; and
(b) if required by the minister, an agreement in writing, made between and executed by both the applicant and the owner of the lands to be affected, whereby the applicant undertakes to pay to the owner compensation for any damage that may result to the lands or any buildings or other improvements thereon in the course of and arising out of the preliminary work to be authorized by the permit.
[Repealed] S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40.
Form of permits and applications
Every permit and every application for a permit shall be in a form prescribed in the regulations or, where that form is not so prescribed, in a form prescribed by the minister.
S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40; S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 8.
Application of sections 8 to 11
Sections 8 to 11 do not apply to licences for the control of water and the construction, establishment, operation or maintenance of water control works.
S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 9; S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 4.
Licences have precedence in relation to one another according to the date of submission of the application for each licence.
For the purposes of subsection (1), the date of submission of an application for a licence, where no preliminary work is required prior to the issuance of the licence, is
(a) the date on which the application, together with such information, particulars and plans as may be required under section 6, is submitted to the minister; and
(b) where any information, particulars or plans, or a part of any information, particulars or plans, required under section 6 are not submitted to the minister together with the application but at a subsequent time, the date on which the information, particulars or plans or the part thereof are so submitted.
Where preliminary work completed
For the purposes of subsection (1), the date of submission of an application for a licence issued after the completion of preliminary work pursuant to a permit is
(a) the date on which the application for the permit, together with such things as may be required under section 7, is submitted to the minister; and
(b) where any thing, or a part of any thing, required under section 7 is not submitted to the minister together with the application for the permit but at a subsequent time, the date on which the thing or the part thereof is so submitted.
Where submission dates identical
Where the date of submission established under subsection (2) or (3) in respect of any licence is identical with the date of submission established under subsection (2) or (3) in respect of any other licence, the licences have precedence in relation to one another according to the priority of purpose established for each licence in the order of priority prescribed in section 9.
Where priority of purpose identical
Where the priority of purpose established in respect of any licence under subsection (4) is identical with the priority of purpose established in respect of any other licence under subsection (4), the licences have precedence in relation to one another as the regulations may provide.
Precedence of renewed licences
A licence that is renewed in accordance with the regulations retains the precedence originally established for it under this section.
The order of priority of the purposes for which water may be used or diverted, or works constructed, established or maintained, in accordance with this Act is as follows:
1. domestic purposes;
2. municipal purposes;
3. agricultural purposes;
4. industrial purposes;
5. irrigation purposes;
6. other purposes.
Protecting and maintaining aquatic ecosystems
In considering an application for a licence
(a) to use or divert water; or
(b) to construct, establish, operate or maintain works, other than works relating to the drainage of water;
the minister shall consider scientific and other information relating to the groundwater and water body levels, and the in-stream flows, that are necessary to ensure that aquatic ecosystems are protected and maintained.
The minister may refuse to issue a licence if, in the opinion of the minister, the action authorized by the licence would negatively affect an aquatic ecosystem.
Suspending licence for aquatic ecosystem purposes
The minister may suspend or restrict the rights under a licence for a specified period if
(a) in the minister's opinion,
(i) a groundwater level,
(ii) a water body level, or
(iii) an in-stream flow,
is insufficient to ensure that aquatic ecosystems are protected and maintained; and
(b) the minister's opinion is based on scientific information about protecting and maintaining an aquatic ecosystem of the type under consideration.
Application for use in the future
Where the minister is satisfied that an applicant for a licence does not intend to use, divert or control the water or to construct or establish the works or water control works to which the application relates, for at least 1 year from the date of the filing of the application, he or she may defer the granting of the licence or refuse to grant the licence.
Where an estate or interest in land is transferred, any subsisting licence relating to the estate or interest expires automatically as of the date of the transfer, unless the minister, upon the application of the transferee, transfers the licence to the transferee.
Subsidiary use for domestic purposes
Subject to the approval of the minister, a person who has a licence to use or divert water for industrial, agricultural or irrigation purposes may use or divert, or permit others, with or without a fee or charge therefor, to use or divert part of the water for domestic purposes.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the minister may reserve any unlicenced water
(a) in order that a survey may be made as to how the water may be used or diverted to the greatest advantage of the residents of the province; or
(b) for such uses and purposes specified by the minister as in his opinion will be of the greatest advantage to the residents of the province;
and may fix a period of time within which the reservation may be utilized.
Where water has been reserved under subsection (1), the minister shall not issue a licence in respect thereof except in accordance with the terms of the reservation.
Where a person applies to the minister for a licence to use or divert water at any place or point and all the water available for use or diversion at that place or point has already been allocated to other licensees or in the opinion of the minister further allocation would negatively affect an aquatic ecosystem, if the purpose for which the applicant will use the water is higher in priority in the order of priority established therefor under section 9 than that of the purpose of one or more of those other licensees, the minister may issue the licence to the applicant and, subject to section 19, may cancel or restrict the rights under the licence of any one or more of those other licensees ranking lower than the applicant in priority of purpose.
A person whose existing licence is cancelled or whose rights under his existing licence are restricted under subsection (1) in favor of a new applicant for a licence is entitled to receive from and shall be paid by the applicant compensation for any loss or damage suffered by him as a consequence of the cancellation or restriction.
Agreement respecting compensation
The minister shall not issue a licence to an applicant under subsection (1) until he receives from the applicant an agreement, executed by both the applicant and the person whose licence is cancelled or restricted under that subsection, containing the applicant's undertaking to pay to the person the compensation for which provision is made in subsection (2), and the amount of the compensation and the terms of the payment thereof shall be set out in the agreement or determined in accordance with subsection (4), as the case may be.
Where an applicant for a licence and a person whose license is cancelled or whose rights under a licence are restricted fail to agree on the amount of the compensation payable by the applicant under subsection (2), the amount thereof shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of The Arbitration Act.
Compensation where no renewal or transfer
Where a licensee applies for a renewal or transfer of his licence and the minister declines to renew or transfer the licence by virtue of an application for a higher priority use, compensation is payble by the new user as provided in this section.
Investigations re levels and in-stream flows
Using scientific methods, the minister may undertake investigations into groundwater or water body levels, or in-stream flows, anywhere in Manitoba, to determine whether aquatic ecosystems are being negatively affected by insufficient levels or flows.
Where a licensee fails to use or divert water under the authority of and for the purposes authorized by the licence, or fails to use or divert water to the extent authorized by the licence, for a continuous period of 1 year or more, the minister may, subject to section 19, make an order
(a) amending the licence to reduce the amount of water that may be used or diverted thereunder; or
(b) cancelling the licence.
Unsafe works or water control works
Where in the opinion of the minister works or water control works constructed, established or maintained under a licence are unsafe, the minister may make an order requiring the licensee
(a) to make repairs or additions to the works or water control works or any part thereof; or
(b) to demolish, or to demolish and reconstruct, the works or water control works or any part thereof;
to put the works or water control works in a safe condition and, if the licensee fails to comply with the order, the minister may, subject to section 19, suspend or cancel the licence in whole or in part.
Removal or acquisition of works or water control works
Where a licence authorizing the construction, establishment or maintenance of works or water control works
(a) expires, and the licensee fails to apply for its renewal in accordance with the regulations; or
(b) is cancelled by the minister under this Act;
the minister may
(c) make an order requiring the person who owns or is occupying the land in respect of which the licence was issued or on which the works or water control works are situated to breach, block, fill, demolish or remove the works or water control works; or
(d) for and on behalf of the government and in accordance with the regulations, assume ownership and control of the works or water control works.
Removal of works or water control works
Where a person fails to comply with an order made under subsection (1) in respect of any works or water control works, the minister may, subject to section 4, which applies with such modifications as the circumstances require, cause the works or water control works to be disposed of or removed, in such manner, and may impose such terms and conditions with respect to the works or water control works, as the minister deems necessary.
Where the minister assumes ownership and control of works or water control works under subsection (1) upon the expiry of a licence, the government shall compensate the licensee therefor.
Failure to agree on compensation
Where the parties cannot agree as to the amount of the compensation payable under subsection (3), the amount of the compensation shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of The Arbitration Act.
S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 12; S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 5.
The minister may appoint officers for the purpose of administering and enforcing this Act.
When reasonably required to administer or determine compliance with this Act, an officer or a person authorized by the minister may enter upon any land without a warrant at any reasonable time to inspect the land and any works or water control works that have been maintained or are being constructed there.
An officer or a person authorized by the minister must produce identification if requested to do so while conducting an inspection.
S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40; S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 13; S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 7.
Warrant for search and seizure
A justice, upon being satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that
(a) an offence under this Act is being or has been committed; and
(b) there is to be found in any place or premises any thing that will afford evidence of the offence;
may at any time issue a warrant authorizing an officer and any other person named in the warrant to enter and search the place or premises for any such thing, and to seize it and as soon as practicable bring it before a justice, or report on it to a justice, to be dealt with according to law.
Suspension and cancellation of licence
In addition to any suspension or cancellation of a licence that may be authorized under any other provision of this Act, the minister may, for cause,
(a) suspend a licence or permit for any stated period of time or until a condition is met;
(b) where in the opinion of the minister it is in the public interest to do so, cancel a licence or permit whether or not it has first been suspended under clause (a).
Notice and hearing before cancellation
A licence or permit shall not be cancelled under subsection (1) or any other provision of this Act until after notice and a hearing in accordance with subsections (3), (4) and (5).
The notice required under subsection (2) shall require the person to whom it is directed to attend before the Municipal Board upon a day specified in the notice which shall not be less than 30 days after the date of service of the notice, to show cause why the licence or permit should not be cancelled.
The notice referred to in subsection (3) shall be served personally, or by registered mail addressed to the last known address of the person to whom it is directed.
Where, after notice and a hearing, the minister cancels a licence or permit, he shall, by a notice in writing sent by registered mail, notify the person affected of the cancellation.
An officer or another person authorized by the minister may open up, remove or destroy, or cause to be opened up, removed or destroyed,
(a) any dam constructed by beaver; or
(b) any natural obstruction howsoever caused that diverts a flow of water existing prior to the obstruction;
and for that purpose may enter upon or cross any lands.
Interprovincial boundary waters
The minister, for and on behalf of the government, may enter into an arrangement or agreement with the government of any other province of Canada or with the Government of Canada or with the Government of Nunavut for the establishment and constitution of a board that, when established and constituted, shall, to the extent permitted by the legislative powers of the governments that are parties to the arrangement or agreement, have jurisdiction and such power and authority as is vested in it by the arrangement or agreement, to regulate and control the use of interprovincial waters, or the use of the boundary waters between the province and the Northwest Territories or between the province and Nunavut, or the use of waters in any stream or streams flowing through more than one of the provinces or through one or more than one of the provinces and the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint a representative or representatives of the government to the board established under subsection (1).
Agreements with other governments
The minister may enter into an arrangement or agreement with the government of any other province of Canada or the Government of Canada or any agency for the making of water measurements, the carrying out of investigations and the collection and publication of data respecting water resources and the best methods of utilizing them.
A person who contravenes or fails to comply with
(a) a provision of this Act or the regulations; or
(b) an order made under this Act; or
(c) a condition of a licence or permit issued under this Act;
is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $10,000. or to imprisonment for not more than three months or both and, where the person is a corporation, to a fine of not more than $25,000.
Any person who obstructs, hinders or interferes with an officer or other person exercising a power or performing a duty under this Act is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000. or to imprisonment for not more than three months or both and, where the person is a corporation, to a fine not exceeding $25,000.
Any person who defaces, alters or removes any survey monument, bench mark or water gauge or other instrument or device placed by a duly authorized person engaged in making surveys or levels in connection with any works or water control works authorized under this Act, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000. or to imprisonment for not more than three months or to both and, where the person is a corporation, to a fine not exceeding $25,000.
Each day's continuance of any act or default that is an offence under this Act constitutes a separate offence for the purposes of this section.
A prosecution under this Act may not be commenced later than two years after the day the alleged offence was committed.
S.M. 1989-90, c. 90, s. 40; S.M. 2000, c. 18, s. 14; S.M. 2006, c. 8, s. 10.
Any person who is affected by an order or decision of the minister under this Act may, within 30 days of the making of the order or decision, appeal the order or decision to the Municipal Board, and the decision of the Municipal Board, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in The Municipal Board Act, is final and not subject to further appeal.
An appeal of an order or decision does not stay the order or decision, or affect the power of the minister to take authorized steps pending the appeal. But if the appeal is successful the minister may enter into an agreement with the appellant to compensate him or her for any loss or damage that the appellant incurred as a result of the order or decision.
No action or proceeding may be brought against an officer or any other person acting under authority of this Act for anything done, or not done, or for any neglect,
(a) in the performance or intended performance of a duty under this Act; or
(b) in the exercise or intended exercise of a power under this Act;
unless the person was acting in bad faith.
The Crown is bound by this Act.
Water Resources Conservation Act takes precedence
This Act is subject to the provisions of The Water Resources Conservation Act.
S.M. 2000, c. 11, s. 8; S.M. 2005, c. 26, s. 42.
For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act according to their intent, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make such regulations as are ancillary thereto and are not inconsistent therewith; and every regulation made under, and in accordance with the authority granted by, this section has the force of law; and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,
(a) prescribing the information, particulars and plans to be submitted with any application for a licence;
(b) respecting the duration and renewal of licences and permits and prescribing the terms and conditions to which they are subject;
(c) prescribing forms for use under this Act and the information and particulars to be contained therein;
(d) respecting returns, reports and statements to be submitted by licensees and permittees;
(e) prescribing fees and charges that shall be paid in respect of applications, licences and permits;
(f) authorizing the establishment or placing or construction of devices for computing or measuring the volume and discharge of water in any place;
(g) respecting the approval and inspection of works and water control works;
(h) respecting the use and disposition of water by licensees;
(i) respecting the measurement of water generally;
(j) regulating the passage of logs, timber and other products of the forest through waters and through or over works;
(k) regulating the water rates that may be charged by licensees, and the publication of tariffs of rates;
(l) respecting the construction of fishways to permit the free and unobstructed passage of fish up and down stream;
(m) respecting the storage, pondage, regulation, diversion or utilization of water for any purpose and for the protection of any source of water;
(m.1) respecting the control of water;
(n) respecting the construction, maintenance, operation and purchase, and the assumption of ownership and control, of any works or water control works, as may be necessary or desirable, and for the regulation and control, in the interests of all water users, of the flow of water that may from time to time pass through, by or over the works or water control works;
(o) exempting or excluding from the application of all or any part of this Act any class of works, water control works or activity.
Where there is a conflict between this Act and The Municipal Act, this Act prevails.