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Climate Change Legislation for Manitoba
On April 11, 2008, Manitoba introduced new legislation - Bill 15 The Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act - that requires the province to meet Canada's Kyoto target for 2008-2012 and set long-term goals for 2020 and 2025.In order to meet its Kyoto commitments, Manitoba must reduce its annual emissions to 17 megatonnes (MT) from approximately 20 MT. To achieve this, the first goal is to reduce GHGs below 2000 levels by 2010. To meet its 2012 target, Manitoba is proposing to annually:
The Climate Action Network (CAN-RAC), Canada's umbrella organization representing environmental and civil society from across the country who are concerned about global climate change, congratulated Manitoba for taking a leading role in the fight against climate change in Canada. There are questions and concerns because the legislation leaves many questions that will only be answered as regulations are drafted and come into force - which will take some time. Gaile Whelan Enns, Director of Manitoba Wildlands, emphasized the need for Manitobans to support the legislation and get involved in building the substance of the legislation, as it currently provides only a basic framework. "Our government is acting on its commitments to reduce emissions inside Manitoba by meeting the Kyoto target. Cooperative work with large emitters, and collaboration with Manitoban communities and companies, will provide models for other provinces and states." Recommendations for the transportation regulations will not be made until 2009, which means that they may not come into effect until 2010 - a significant time gap that could be avoided if Manitoba simply follows California's lead. View April 11, 2008 Manitoba Government press release  Download April 11, 2008 Manitoba Government Backgrounder (DOC)View Manitoba Government Bill 15, Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act View April 11, 2008 Climate Action Network Canada press release Sources: Government of Manitoba, Climate Action Network Canada
Audit - Manitoba Climate ChangeManitoba Wildlands is auditing the Manitoba government's climate change targets, actions and commitments.View the Audit - Manitoba Climate Change Manitoba Signs Midwest Climate Accord/
Six Midwestern governors and the Premier of Manitoba signed agreements to promote renewable energy and climate stewardship in Milwaukee November 14, 2007. |
The governors of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and the premier of Manitoba signed the "Greenhouse Gas Accord", which commits the states and Manitoba to work together to slash emissions linked to global warming over coming decades. They will establish regional targets for reducing greenhouse gases as well as a regional cap and trade mechanism for carbon emissions. 
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) October 23, 2007 that commits the two provinces to work together on a number of initiatives including climate change. Both provinces have also signed on as members of the Western Climate Initiative (
Manitoba Wildlands Joins Western Climate Initiative Coalition |
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Manitoba Wildlands has joined a group of non-profit, civil society organizations across the western United States and Canadian provinces concerned about global warming. These organizations are providing input and recommendations to signatories to the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) as they develop a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions program and design an emissions cap and trade system.The group of non-governmental organizations (NGO) has developed a set of principles to guide the development of the WCI climate emissions reductions program. The principles are as follows:
- Preventing dangerous global warming is paramount
- Permits to emit carbon must be used for public benefit
- Promoting a clean energy future
- Actual emissions reductions in each jurisdiction
- Pollution reductions must be verifiable
- Managing costs without breaking the cap
- Ensuring fairness and equity
- Linking with other programs
- Energy policy reform is an essential companion of any cap
Download October 19, 2007 letter to British Columbia's Government Climate Change Secretariat (PDF)Download October 31, 2007 letter to Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Jim Rondeau (PDF) WCI Materials Public in US
Manitoba Wildlands is making available here presentation materials regarding the structure and committee work of the WCI. None of this information is available in Manitoba.Download the November 2007 PEW Center Overview, Adaptation Planning - What U.S. States and Localitites are Doing (PDF)Download the WCI/PEW September 2007 presentation, Responding to Climate Change: an introduction to greenhouse gas cap-and-trade design (PDF)Download the WCI/Arizona State September 2007 Stakeholder presentation (PDF)Download the WCI/New Mexico State September 2007 WCI Subcommittees presentation (PDF)Western Climate Initiative Sets Regional Goal
The eight members of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) have established a regional goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.The regional goal reflects the combined impact of GHG emissions goals each WCI member has already set and does not replace members' individual goals, including when these goals exceed the WCI goal.
The 15 percent emissions reduction from a 2005 base year means the combined target does not match established under the Kyoto Protocol for Canada of 6 percent below 1990 levels.
The WCI regional goal includes a commitment for each partner to "update the other WCI partners on their climate action plan and GHG emissions inventories every two years" but no public reporting requirements are mentioned, although membership in the WCI requires participation in The Climate Registry.
Manitoba's individual short-term (2010-2012) GHG emissions reduction target is stated as 6 percent below 1990 levels in the WCI announcement. Manitoba is the only WCI member that has not established a target for 2020 and instead uses the same target as for 2010-2012, noting it expects to "meet or do better than its short term goal". Manitoba's 2002 Climate Change Action Plan indicates that "[b]y 2010, Manitoba's net contribution could equal a greenhouse gas reduction of up to 18 per cent from 1990 levels." The Manitoba 2002 Climate Action Plan is no longer available on its government website. There is no public data regarding emissions in Manitoba, as of 1990, or since 2002.
Download the August 22, 2007 WCI Statement of Regional Goal (PDF)The WCI was created in February 2007 with membership of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Since February Utah and Canadian provinces British Columbia and Manitoba also joined the WCI.
The August 22, 2007 announcement reflects the original WCI agreement to establish a Western regional GHG reduction goal by the end of August 2007 as part of WCI members' commitment to significantly reduce regional GHG emissions.
View August 22, 2007 Government of Manitoba press release
Visit Western Climate Initiative website
View July 23, 2007 Manitoba Wildlands News item
Sources: Government of Manitoba, Western Climate Initiative
Leaders Meet to Discuss Climate Change and Energy |
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Manitoba Premier Gary Doer joined the rest of Canada's Premiers and territorial leaders for the annual meeting of the Council of the Federation - the name given to itself by the group comprised of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders.The August 8-10, 2007 meetings in Moncton, New Brunswick, began with urging by Canadian environmental groups to overcome "federal inaction" on climate change and take necessary steps to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Action Network (CAN-RAC) Canada, a nation-wide network comprised of over 60 national and regional environmental groups, sent a letter to provincial and territorial premiers on the eve of the Moncton meetings calling on the provinces and territories to provide leadership in taking necessary action to reduce greenhouse gases.
View August 9, 2007 Climate Action Network Canada press release
Download CAN Canada letter to Council of the Federation (PDF)Manitoba Premier Doer and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell played up the idea of convincing the other provinces to set up a system to cap greenhouse-gas emissions, and allow for trading of credits for those provinces or industries who can't meet the cap. However, little progress was made, with Alberta particularly reticent to agree to a cap on emissions or a national trading system for carbon credits.
The August 10th Council of the Federation press release was less than earth shattering. A nation-wide climate change plan with binding emissions reduction targets was absent from the statement, and there is no mention of a carbon credit trading system.Instead, the premiers and territorial leaders agreed to "implement energy conservation strategies" that will only apply "within their own jurisdictions" and "according to each province's plan for climate change."
Download August 10, 2007 Council of the Federation press release (PDF)At the close of the Moncton meetings, the Council of the Federation also released the report, Leading Practices by Provincial and Territorial Governments in Canada. The report is referenced in the press release as containing concrete actions designed to achieve goals agreed to by the leaders, but the report introduction characterizes it as "an overview of activity underway at the provincial and territorial level" as well as recently announced government commitments on climate change.
View August 12, 2007 Edmonton Sun article
View August 9, 2007 Canadian Press article
Download August 9, 2007 Winnipeg Free Press article (DOC)View August 9, 2007 The Star article
View August 8, 2007 CTV News article
View August 8, 2007 Toronto Star article
Download Council of the Federation report, Climate Change: Leading Practices by Provincial and Territorial Governments in Canada (PDF)Download Council of the Federation's report, A Shared Vision for Energy in Canada (PDF)View Council of the Federation energy maps
Sources: CAN Canada, Canadian Press, Winnipeg Free Press, Edmonton Sun, Council of the Federation
Manitoba to Have GHG Emissions Reporting System |
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The Government of Manitoba will collaborate with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Canadian Climate Exchange (CCE) in designing market based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Manitoba and beyond its borders. Market mechanisms are intended to provide a price signal and financial incentive for emissions reductions and the three parties will work together to help proponents develop and showcase GHG emission reducing projects.A primary objective of the partnership is a system for reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The conceptual design of a web-based portal that would facilitate public reporting of GHG inventories and emission reducing projects is intended to be the first phase of a Manitoba-based Climate Change Registry.
Another objective is to be able to provide verified GHG credits for organizations wishing to reduce their GHG footprint.
Manitoba's has a 2007 election goal to be the first Canadian province to legislate provincial GHG emission reduction targets.
The Canadian Climate Exchange (CCE) was created in 2003, as a sister company to the Winnipeg Commodity exchange to develop a marketplace for GHG emissions trading. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a membership association serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in Canada. It is a leading developer of standards and codes that enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade.
Manitoba Wildlands will be watching to see if information to support emissions reductions is fully accessible, and based on carbon inventories, public targets, and previous emissions data. For a success to emerge Manitoba's emissions at home will need to actually reduce - rather than simply be traded away. Caps on emissions are an essential tool in such registry based systems.
View April 23, 2007 Canadian Standards Association press release
View April 23, 2007 Canadian Climate Exchange press release
View December 14, 2006 Manitoba Government press release
Manitoba Joins Western/US Climate Initiative |
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Manitoba joined with six western U.S. states and British Columbia June 12, 2007 and became a member of the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative (WRCAI).The WRCI began February 2007 with the signing of an agreement by the Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington to establish a regional greenhouse gas reduction goal and develop market-based strategies to achieve the goal. British Columbia joined in April 2007 and Utah in May. Wyoming and Colorado are participating as observers while they continue to develop their state policies and initiatives.
The purpose of the WRCAI is to identify, evaluate and implement ways to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to achieve related co-benefits. All participants in the WRCAI are also members of The Climate Registry, a new cross-border greenhouse gas registry launched in May 2007 with 34 state, 2 provincial, and 3 tribal members.
Some specific provisions of the Western Climate Initiative agreement:
- August 2007 as target date for setting overall regional goal ( consistent with individual state and provincial goals) to reduce collective emissions
- Participating in multi-jurisdictional GHG registry to enable tracking, management, and crediting for entities that reduce GHG emissions, consistent with state/provincial GHG reporting mechanisms and requirements
- August 2008 as target date to develop design for a regional market-based multi-sector mechanism to achieve regional GHG reduction goal
- Promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, advocating for national climate policies & targets; identifying measures to adapt to climate change.
Download the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative (PDF)Visit The Climate Registry
Source: Government of Manitoba
Manitoba - California Climate Change MOU
Premier Gary Doer and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an agreement December 14, 2006 committing the two governments to further action on climate change.A central feature of the five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) is support from California for Manitoba's plan to draft legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. California recently passed legislation that will make it the first US state to limit GHG emissions.
Other features of the MOU include:
- exploring the opportunity for Manitoba to participate in carbon-credit trading via the Clean Air Resources Board and the California Climate Action Registry -including for sustainable on-farm practices and off set credit trading protocols for livestock management;
- promoting further trade partnerships in the areas of low- and no-emission vehicle technology, the production of hybrid and hydrogen buses, and the plug-in hybrid vehicle;
- continuing to exchange best practices in renewable energy technology (solar power in California and geothermal in Manitoba), residential and commercial building efficiency, waste reduction, and new transportation and agricultural initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases.
View the December 14, 2006 Governor of California press release
Download the December 2006 Manitoba-California MOU (PDF)New Commercial Building Energy Code |
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Manitoba Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau released a report from the Manitoba Energy Code Advisory Committee October 18, 2006. The September 2006 advisory report, Building Energy, Building Leadership, outlines a strategy intended to make new commercial buildings in Manitoba energy efficient and less expensive to operate.The report was authored by the 15-member Energy Code Advisory Committee comprised of construction professionals, developers, energy experts and others. Its 17 recommendations include:
- adopting cost-effective, minimum energy-efficiency requirements for new commercial construction (via a regulation to adopt Canada's Model National Energy Code for Buildings)
- providing training and technical resources needed to build industry capacity and ensure effective implementation of the energy code
Download the September 2006 Manitoba Energy Code Advisory Committee report, Building Energy, Building Leadership (PDF)Analysis of Climate Change Plans
Manitoba used to lead the rest of Canada in fighting global warming. That's changing and the province's efforts are getting weaker, according to the David Suzuki Foundation report released October 12, 2006.
The second edition of The Suzuki Foundation's All Over the Map report assessed provincial and territorial action on climate change, compares each region's greenhouse gas emissions, analyzes their climate change plans and evaluates their records. The report praised Manitoba for having the second-best plan in Canada (released in 2002), second only to Quebec, and commended Manitoba's target for large emission reductions, achieved partly by installing ground-source heat pumps. It also pointed to weaknesses such as rising emissions from transportation and agriculture and an over-reliance on big, new hydro projects.
View the October 12, 2006 David Suzuki Foundation national press release
View the October 12, 2006 David Suzuki Foundation Manitoba press release (DOC)
View the report All Over the Map: 2006 Status Report of Provincial Climate Change Plans (PDF)
In The Suzuki Foundation's 2005 analysis, Manitoba's climate change plan was praised as the best of all the provincial and territorial plans. However, the report also noted that almost half of Manitoba's emission reductions are premised on hydro power export to US and points out that "Manitoba's greenhouse gas emissions increased 11.5% between 1990 and 2003". The report is also critical of a major weakness of Manitoba's climate change plan: a dependence on other governments to achieve its targets.View the October 3, 2005 David Suzuki Foundation press release
View the 2005 David Suzuki Foundation report All Over the Map - A Comparison of Provincial Climate Change Plans (PDF)
Clearing the Air on Climate Change |
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Elizabeth May, former Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada, embarked on a cross-country tour in spring 2006 to raise Canadians' awareness about climate change. The tour, Clearing the Air on Climate Change, made a stop in Winnipeg on June 20, 2006. The speaking event was hosted by Manitoba WildlandsDownload the transcript of Elizabeth May's June 20, 2006 speaking engagement in Winnipeg (PDF)Climate Leaders SummitIn December 2005 Premier Gary Doer co chaired The Climate Leaders Summit in Montreal, with Premier Charrest of Quebec. The summit was attended by government leaders of cities, countries and US states, as a parallel event during the Kyoto meetings in Montreal. A leaders declaration was signed at the summit.Visit the Climate Leaders Summit website Download the Manitoba government brochure from the Leader's Summit (PDF) |
Climate Group Award |
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Also during December 2005, Manitoba and Premier Doer were featured by The Climate Group in their climate change awards. The Manitoba government is a founding member of The Climate Group. Visit The Climate Group website View The Climate Group interview with Premier Doer View the December 20, 2005 Manitoba Wildlands news item |
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Manitoba Impacts Larger Image |
In the spring of 2003, the government of Manitoba released a series of TV ads, and a publication concerning climate change actions by citizens. Take Action on Climate Change provides a background on climate change and offers information on how each individual can each make a difference by the actions they take. View the Take Action on Climate Change publication |
Manitoba's Climate Change Action Plan |
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In October 2002, Tim Sale, Minister of the new Manitoba Department
of Energy, Science and Technology released Manitoba's climate change action
plan entitled Kyoto and Beyond: A plan of action to meet and exceed Manitoba's Kyoto targets. This document represents the government's response to the 2001 Climate Change Task Force Report, which was chaired by Lloyd Axworthy. No update, or evaluation of government climate change initiatives has been issued since 2002. To see the sequence of press releases regarding climate change negotiations regarding Manitoba support for Kyoto, during fall 2002, go to Manitoba Climate Change Branch News. Download Kyoto and Beyond: A plan of action to meet and exceed Manitoba's Kyoto targets (PDF) | |
In June 2002, the Premier's Office released a document entitled Kyoto and Beyond: Meeting and Exceeding Our Kyoto Targets. It outlines intended actions to enable Manitoba to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Convention and provides net figures for projected green house gas reductions from select initiatives. Initiatives such as requiring ethanol in gasoline and intended hydro projects are included in these calculations. Future highway construction, the expansion of the Winnipeg Floodway, hydro transmission projects, and other infrastructure projects with net green house gas increases are not included. |
| To date Manitoba does not have public emissions information, a carbon sequestration inventory, or emissions budget for new projects. Climate change impacts are being included in the environmental guidelines for environmental license reviews. Currently there are no environmental licenses in Manitoba with specific climate change requirementsDownload the June 2002 report Kyoto and Beyond: Meeting and Exceeding Our Kyoto Targets (PDF) |
Climate Change Task Force |
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In 2001, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer appointed a Climate Change
Task Force to hold public meetings and receive presentations. The resulting
report, tabled with Canada's Council of Ministers of the Environment in September
2001, is Manitoba and Climate Change: Investing in our Future. The Manitoba
Clean Environment Commission (CEC) hosted the task force hearings (go
to the "Activities" and "Reports" links at the top of their home page).Download Manitoba and Climate Change: Investing in our Future (PDF)Download the Manitoba Wildlands listing of Executive Summary & Full Recommendations from the 2001 report (PDF) |
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Climate Change Action FundIn January 2001, the Government of Manitoba launched the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund (MCCAF) committing $1 million over four years to support practical, Manitoba based, actions that respond to the issue of Climate Change.View the Manitoba Climate Change Action web site. |
Manitoba Climate Change ConnectionThe Manitoba Climate Change Connection website aims to build awareness and to empower Manitobans to take action and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions - both individually and as a community. Climate Change Connection is funded by the Province of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro Power Smart.Visit the Climate Change Connection website |
2002-2008