Dillabough said 22 comments were received during the review on public registry from February 25 – March 29, including two in support, 19 with concerns and one in direct opposition.
“There were no technical concerns,” said Dillabough. “The site meets all the requirements with no health, safety or environment concerns. The TRC has given HyLife the green light for development.”
Sheldon Stott, Sr. Director Corporate Sustainability with HyLife followed with a presentation. He said Marker’s Mark Project was a partner opportunity for HyLife and the Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester.
“HyLife is making a positive impact in many communities. The company was developed in La Broquerie, Manitoba in 1994 by two farmers. There is a strong presence in Manitoba with 25 operations and 2700 employees. Two core values Hylife marks as significant are being community partners and sustainable profitability.
Smell, manure management, water and proximity are all concerns brought forward by the public. Stott assures that Manitoba has the most stringent regulations in North America in regard to hog production. HyLife conducts monthly inspections of its lagoons and the province also conducts its own inspections.
“The economic impact of hog operations is significant. Every $1.00 generated by the operation produces $2.75 of economic activity and creates five jobs indirectly from every job in the hog sector. This project is an $8.5 million investment that will require approximately 50-60 skilled tradespeople during construction,” he added.
Questions and comments from registered representatives followed HyLife’s presentation and simply followed the order that they registered.
Judy Morningstar of Goodlands said the proposed hog operation was a recipe for disaster.
“Deloraine sits 125 feet below the site and with six ravines flanking it, there could be problems with rapid snowmelt or heavy rainfalls.”
She cited a time in the 1980s when the area received 6.5 inches of rain in one day, which took out the grid roads.
“The berm would stand zero chance if the roads were washed out, and how would you get to the barns? This is not the way to promote the community. The only one to benefit is the landowner. What of the surrounding landowners and farm operations? They were there first,” she concluded.
Larry Black spoke on behalf of the Deloraine Flying Club. Smell from the proposed project was a major concern.
The Flying Club holds an annual Fly-In Breakfast and it is feared smell would ruin the event as well as leaving a bad impression with pilots. He also cited the open lagoon as a potential problem if waterfowl use it, causing trouble for the aircraft arriving and departing from the airport.
Richard Gilson echoed the possible lagoon concerns.
“What if the lagoon needs to be covered? Whose cost is that?” he asked.
His other concerns included limited job creation (only be during construction time), increased truck traffic, water issues.
“I mailed the minister photos and documents from the 2005 and 2013 floods in and around Deloraine. The proposed site is at the bottom of the northern slope of the Turtle Mountains; all the water at the top has to come through the site. I know people moved here because there were no hog barns. I sure hope no one decides to leave if we get some. Would there be anything wrong with Deloraine being the only town that does not have a hog barn? We are what we are,” he concluded.
Keith Dickie expressed concern for the hospital.
“Our hospital has been in jeopardy for the last 20 years and we’ve fought to keep it here. A significant reason we were able to keep it is because of the airport and the medi-vac airstrip. Deloraine is outside the golden hour of acute care. I charge council to think carefully about the decision that may impact the future,” he said.
Dennis Andries, also not in favour of the project, voiced concerns of a possible rip in the lagoon liner.
“Where do the contents go? Into the ground water? I’m not against the barns, I just don’t think the location is right,” he added.
David Day of Dand spoke in favour of the project. He was a hog producer for 43 years.
“If we don’t do something we won’t have a town. All businesses will benefit in one way or another. This is an opportunity and we have to take advantage. We have to do something; we won’t keep getting this type of opportunity. With new technology the odour from hog manure continues to improve and odours are not constant and occur at specific times of the year. A project of this size has incredible benefits for our area and we can see those benefits in the municipalities to the east, west and north of us.”
Speaking of the projects to the east, Kathy Chadwell spoke about the benefits Killarney has enjoyed with its hog operations and feed mill. Chadwell is a taxpayer in the Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester and was raised on a family farm in the area.
“HyLife is a strong, dependable corporate citizen in Killarney. They work with the farmers and the reach of the relationship goes beyond Killarney as they purchase grain from farmers in Deloraine-Winchester.”
She also spoke about the concerns about runoff, affecting the lake and recreation.
“The runoff is highly regulated by the government, as opposed to the regulations for farmers. The smell is mostly in the fall when they are spreading manure. There are plenty of other smells from existing farms. It is simply part of productivity. We can’t go back and live as our parents did and we wouldn’t want to,” she concluded.
Bob Vandaele owns the land where the proposed operation will be located. He spoke in favour of the project and gave assurance it was not because he would be selling the 40 acres required for the operation.
“There will be no other financial gain after the sale of 40 acres. It was mentioned that HyLife wouldn’t like it much if a hog operation were built in its own backyard. I would be happy if it was built in my backyard,” said Vandaele. “I may not be that old but I do remember what Deloraine used to be like and now there is not much left in town. What we have is agriculture and oil. Unfortunately the oil did not set up shop in Deloraine – they are in Virden, Oxbow, Carnduff and so on. So, agriculture is what we have.”
“We have the bare necessities, the school enrollment is declining, my fear is there will not be a town here for the next generation. $8.5 million is more than anyone else is willing to inject in our community. I am pro-Deloraine. I am pro-economic development. Don’t turn it away because we don’t know when the next opportunity will come knocking,” he concluded.
Stott was given the opportunity for summation. He said the Markers Mark Project site was based on good sound farming principles and it is zoned for agricultural activity. Hylife are proven credible proponents, good neighbours.
The next step in the process is for the Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester to approve or decline Hylife’s Markers Mark hog operation.

by JUDY WELLS, Recorder staff