Manitoba Wildlands
Federal Election Survey 2004

Voting Box
This election survey has been sent to five political parties in Canada. (Election day is June 28, 2004.) For details on public policy regarding Manitoba's lands and waters, 2003 election environment commitments, policy and protected areas mapping, go to our Governments page. Each question has been posed to the political parties based on their campaign to form government in Canada. The survey requests either a Yes or No answer to each question, with comments optional. Please Note: responses from the political parties have not been altered in any way. When a party did not answer a question with a definite Yes or No, " — " was entered.
NOTE - Only 3 parties responded (NDP, Green Party, Liberals).

Protected Areas    Species At Risk    Water
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)
East Side Lake Winnipeg    Energy & Climate Change
   

Water Questions

Q22 Will your government provide technical support and make available federal scientific experts to assist the Manitoba government in its efforts to 'clean up' and address nutrient loading, water quality, and species survival issues associated with Lake Winnipeg?

  YES NO Comment
NDP We have decided to outline our platform's key points on the water issue: click here
Conservative — — TBA
Green Party  
Liberal — — The federal government, through Environment Canada can study the issue and can certainly assist in sharing the world-class expertise on the specific research needs. For example, the National Water Research Institute of Environment Canada carries out cutting-edge work on subjects like urban water management, and nutrients and climate change impacts on freshwater resources. Ultimately, the province (in this case Manitoba) has to assume the lead role since provinces own and control the water resources in lakes.
Bloc — — TBA



Q23 Will your government provide financial support to assist the Manitoba government in its efforts to 'clean up' and address nutrient loading, species survival, and water quality issues associated with Lake Winnipeg?

  YES NO Comment
NDP
Conservative — — TBA
Green Party    
Liberal — — See answer to # 22.
Bloc — — TBA



Q24 Will your government support the notification, participation, and meaningful consultation with affected First Nations regarding Lake Winnipeg clean up, management, and use?

  YES NO Comment
NDP Recognizing the unique needs of First Nations communities for clean water and health care. (platform page 34)
Conservative — — TBA
Green Party    
Liberal  
Bloc — — TBA



Q25 Will your government provide technical support and make available federal scientific experts to assist the Manitoba government in its efforts to monitor water quality in Manitoba?

  YES NO Comment
NDP
Conservative — — TBA
Green Party    
Liberal — — This is an area of ongoing cooperation by the various levels of government. The Liberal government has launched several programs related to improving the water quality, mainly through infrastructure improvements and through funding for First Nations. Our $ 600 million Safe Water program for First Nations communities is an example.

In the urban setting, we have the Infrastructure Canada, with its focus on water and wastewater systems. As of 2003, over 1200 projects around Canada have been approved that address water system improvement and another 80 projects that emphasize water conservation.
Bloc — — TBA
.

Q26 Will your government ensure that all water monitoring data across Canada is made public on a timely basis, including through web site posting?

  YES NO Comment
NDP
Conservative — — TBA
Green Party  
Liberal — — The Liberal government has launched the Environmental Indicators program, and supported it with $ 15 million in funding in Budget 2004. The aim is to strengthen the data collection for water, air and climate change-related indicators and make the reporting more transparent. Details are yet to emerge of how this program will be implemented.
Bloc — — TBA



Q27 Will your government support Manitoba in its legislative decision NOT to export water as per Manitoba's Water Resources Conservation and Protection Act?

  YES NO Comment
NDP Implementing a ban on the bulk export of Canadian fresh water, as Manitoba has done (platform page 26)
Conservative — — TBA
Green Party    
Liberal Yes, absolutely. The federal government has been working with all provinces to ensure they adhere to the spirit of our amendments to the International Boundary Waters Treaty with the U.S. The Liberal government brought in the amendments in 2002 to specifically discourage and disallow the diversion of water, inter-basin transfers and other forms of bulk water removal and export.
Bloc — — TBA