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Manitoba: Environment profile

Note

This information was current as of November 2015.

Flag of Manitoba

Manitoba (MB) in brief

Premier:
Hon. Gregory Selinger (New Democratic Party)
Population:
1,282,000 (Sept. 2014)
Total Area:
647,797 km 2
Land:
553,556 km 2
Freshwater:
94,241 km 2
Real GDP (gross domestic product) 2013:
$56.5 billion (in 2007 dollars)
Contribution to real Canadian GDP 2013:
3.3%

MB budget 2015-16

Budgeted total expenditures:
$15.5 billion
Funds allocated to Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship:
$161.6 million
  • 1.0% of total budget
  • 5.7% decrease over 2014-15

Key environmental federal-provincial agreements

  • Canada-MB Memorandum Of Understanding Regarding Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative
  • Canada-MB Environmental Occurrences Notification Agreement
  • Agreement Concerning the Implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan And Other Bird Conservation Through the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV)

Climate change

Department responsible for climate change:
Ministry of Conservation and Water Stewardship
Minister responsible for climate change:
Hon. Thomas Nevakshonoff
Legislation and regulations:
Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act, Biofuels Act, Biodiesel Mandate for Diesel Fuel Regulation, Energy Savings Act, Emissions Tax on Coal Act

MB GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions and 2020 target

Line graph for Manitoba’s GHG emissions and 2020 target

Sources:

  • National Inventory Report, 2015
  • 2020 Target: Western Climate Regional Target (2007)
Long description

Figure 1 presents a single time series line graph with the horizontal axis spanning the years 1990 to 2030 in five year increments. The vertical axis is Mt CO2 eq and spans the value of 12 to 22 in increments of 2. The starting value in 1990 is 18.7 Mt, increasing to 21.1 Mt in 2000. It declines in 2005 to 20.7 Mt, and in 2010 to 19.4 Mt, increasing to 21.4 Mt in 2013. The provincial 2020 target of 17.6 Mt is noted, with the 2030 target of 13.9 Mt.

Provincial GHG emissions reduction targets

  • 6% below 1990 levels by 2012
  • 15% below 2005 levels by 2020
  • 2020 target equivalent to a 2005 baseline: 15% below Manitoba has not officially stated a target but has subscribed to the Western Climate Initiative regional reduction target of 15% below 2005 levels

MB sources of GHG emissions, 2013

Pie chart for Manitoba’s sources of GHG emissions, 2013

Source: National Inventory Report, 2015

Long description

Figure 2 presents a pie of the distribution of major greenhouse gas sources in Manitoba.

  • Stationary combustion sources: 20%
  • Transport: 39%
  • Fugitive sources: 2%
  • Industrial processes: 3%
  • Agriculture: 31%
  • Waste: 5%
  • Climate change strategies: Tomorrow Now: Manitoba’s Green Plan (2012; updated in 2014); Clean Energy Strategy (2012); Beyond Kyoto: Climate Change Action Plan (2008)
  • Total MB emmissions, 2013: 21.4 metric tonnes (Mt) (Source: National Inventory Report, 2015)
  • MB contribution to total Canadian GHG emissions, 2013: 2.95%
  • Ranked 6th largest GHG emitter among Canadian provinces and territories in 2013
  • GHG per capita, 2012: 16.9 tonnes; ranked 6th largest GHG emitter per capita, 2012
  • The 2012 Clean Energy Strategy includes initiatives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by expanding development of hydroelectricity generation and transmission; expanding energy efficiency programs and standards; and expanding alternative renewable energy sources (wind, geothermal, biomass, biofuels, electric vehicles).
  • Key initiatives: wind power development; mandated 8.5% ethanol blend in gasoline; $10 per tonne emissions tax on coal; building codes and standards.

Water

Departments responsible for water:
Ministry of Conservation and Water Stewardship
Minister responsible for water:
Hon. Thomas Nevakshonoff
Legislation and regulations:
Sustainable Development Act, Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund Act, Fisheries Act, Save Lake Winnipeg Act, Water Protection Act, Drinking Water Safety Act, Water Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Water Rights Act, Nutrient Management Regulation
  • Water strategies: The Manitoba Water Strategy (2003), Surface Water Management Strategy (2014), TomorrowNow: Manitoba’s Green Plan (2012), Clean Energy Strategy (2012)
  • The Manitoba Water Strategy focuses on several broad policy objectives: improve water quality, conserve Manitoba’s water sources, better use and allocation of water sources, improve water supply infrastructure, flooding mitigation and drainage management.
  • TomorrowNow: Manitoba’s Green Plan was released in 2012. It outlines actions for water management including: launching the Surface Water Management Strategy; implementing Integrated Watershed Management Plans; expanding the Lake Friendly Campaign; developing strategies for groundwater, wetlands, water conservation, and peatlands stewardship; Integrated Community Sustainability Plans; developing technology and infrastructure; developing new regulations for drainage and water retention licencing; and expanding management of drinking water.
  • Key water priorities include developing a Water Efficiency Strategy, developing hydroelectricity and energy transmission, improving flood mitigation, managing nutrient runoff into ground and surface water sources, and improving water quality in Lake Winnipeg.

Environment Canada and MB collaboration on water

  • Lake Friendly Accord
  • Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative
  • Prairie Provinces Water Board
  • Canada Manitoba Hydrometric Agreement
  • Canada-Manitoba Water Quality Monitoring Agreement

Biodiversity and wildlife

Department responsible for biodiversity and wildlife:
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship
Minister responsible for biodiversity and wildlife:
Hon. Thomas Nevakshonoff
Legislation:
Wildlife Act, Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act, Polar Bear Protection Act, Sustainable Development Act, Conservation Agreements Act
  • Biodiversity and conservation strategies: TomorrowNow: Manitoba’s Green Plan (2012)
Species at Risk in MB
(SARA “Schedule 1” Status)
  Extirpated Endangered Threatened Special Concern
Total: 58
Source: Species at Risk Public Registry
January 2015		 2 18 25 13
  • Key biodiversity and wildlife elements of Manitoba’s Green Plan include: development of habitat protection policy to offset biodiversity loss, new fish and wildlife enhancement fund, stronger invasive species measures, enhanced wildlife disease control, and a new boreal forest plan.
  • MB was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce legislation for the protection of ecosystems at risk.
  • Percentage of freshwater and land protected in MB: 11.0% (Source: Canadian Environment Sustainability Indicators, 2013).
  • Environment Canada maintains 2 protected areas in MB, both National Wildlife Areas, comprising 60 hectares of MB’s protected lands and waters. Currently there are no Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in MB.
  • MB’s provincial landscape is dominated by forests. Approximately 57% of MB’s land base is forestlands and other wooded areas.

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