Tories to release early version of report on Winnipeg's development practices next week

The Manitoba government is planning to release the findings of aninterim report on development regulations inthe City of Winnipeg in the coming days.

The recommendations come only weeks after the province announced an arm's-length body wouldstudyhow fast construction projectsare approved and inspected at the city. The review is also lookingatland use and development practices inother municipalities,planning districts, Manitoba Hydro and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

Premier Brian Pallisterhas argued economic growth is being stifled by a burdensome permitting process.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman hasquestioned the impartiality of the review, which is being conducted by civil servants reporting to a committee of cabinet.

The province released a preliminary report on Wednesday explainingthe parameters of thereview, which so farincludes interviews with around 50developers, professional organizations, and current and former executives of Manitoba Hydro, the Office the Fire Commissioner, the City of Winnipeg, rural municipalities and planning districts.

A news release said the interim report would be finalized, and released publicly,next week.

Pallister said any criticismof the review for being political couldn't be"further from the truth."

"Forsome unknown reason, people may want to prejudge the work," he told reporters Wednesday."Have a look at the work. Give the report a look. Judge it on that basis. Don't start prejudging the work of an independent arm's-length group of civil servants before you've even read the work. That's not productive and it's not helpful."