What is a LWMP?

LWMP stands for Liquid Waste Management Plan.  The Provincial web site describes it well.

Liquid waste management plans allow municipalities to develop community-specific solutions for wastewater management that meet or exceed existing regulations.
Final plans are approved by the Minister of Environment only after sufficient public and stakeholder consultation has taken place.

From the guidelines:

The Environmental Management Act (EMA) allows local governments to develop a Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) for approval by the Minister of Environment.  The approved LWMP authorizes a local government, in accordance with operational certificates, to proceed with measures in the plan to accommodate existing or future development with a strategy to ensure the management, resource recovery and disposal of treated waste is sufficiently protective of public health and the environment. Public and stakeholder consultation must be included to ensure that multiple interests have been considered and that the LWMP is supported by the community. A projected implementation schedule is generally included; the schedule may be affected by technical issues, the pace of development, and the availability of financing.
   
2.0 Provincial Objectives for LWMPs
The two primary objectives for LWMPs are to protect public health and the environment and to properly consult the public. Opportunities for elector participation through public review and consultation are an essential part of developing a LWMP and must occur before a plan may be considered for approval.
Additional provincial objectives for LWMPs are water conservation, drinking water source protection, resources from waste, energy conservation, climate change adaptation, and mitigation and sustainable financing and asset management. Local governments are encouraged to use their LWMPs to illustrate innovation and leadership in these areas.

... The EMA also states that the minister must be satisfied that there has been adequate public review and consultation during the development of the LWMP before approving the plan. These requirements are important because there is no mechanism to appeal a plan once approved by the minister.
The Local Government Act and the Community Charter require approval of electors for the borrowing of funds necessary to finance any capital works, including wastewater infrastructure. The provisions of the EMA allow local governments to borrow money without the approval of electors for implementation of an approved LWMP; therefore, the public consultation process must provide opportunities for elector participation during the development and amendment of a plan.
...
Public participation should foster acceptance and a feeling of ownership among the residents of the local community. While the guidelines found in this document serve as a baseline, local governments should not feel limited by them as further action may be required to meet the needs of community members.

Key things to remember about any LWMP.

1. A LWMP is approved by the province. There is no "provisional" or "interim" or "in flux" or "one step along the way" approvals.
2. Once approved there is no way the public can force any change.
3. Public participation should foster acceptance not resignation and defeat.