Public hearings

The Board may hold a public hearing for any issue related to its responsibilities, where it is in the public interest. 

The Board must hold public hearings for:

• issuance or renewal of a new Type A licences;
• amendment of Type A licences, where the use, flow or quality of waters or the term of the licence would be altered;
• cancellation of Type A licences;
• cancellation of Type B licences; or
• request for permission to enter, use or occupy lands.

The Board is not required to hold public hearings for:

• 60-day licence renewals; or
• Type A licence amendments on an emergency basis, with the consent of the Minister.

A public hearing may be cancelled if:

• the applicant advises the Board that a public hearing is not required; or
• no notices of intention to participate at the public hearing are received at least ten days prior to the scheduled hearing.

During public hearings, the Board has all the powers as a Board under the Public Inquiries Act.