Working Groups

 

Manitoba EG&S Initiative Working Group

The Manitoba EG&S Initiative Working Group was established in 2009 to develop an innovative, “made in Manitoba” EG&S approach for agro-Manitoba by integrating existing and new policies to provide multiple environmental and socio-economic benefits. The structure of the Manitoba EG&S Working Group has two key components: an interdepartmental Policy Working Group and an external Stakeholder Knowledge Group.

Manitoba is strongly committed to the continued development of provincial sustainable development and EG&S initiatives in the areas of water quality and quantity, climate change adaptation and mitigation and biodiversity. A number of relevant EG&S studies and pilot projects have been conducted in Manitoba and elsewhere and will continue. There is strong support for EG&S programming from environmental and industry groups in Manitoba.

A general inventory of existing policy initiatives and programs related to EG&S from farmlands indicates that there are a wide variety of instrument types being employed by both government and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Manitoba; however, few government programs are specifically directed toward the maintenance of natural capital on private farmlands and the erosion of natural capital is continuing. While province-wide programs may prove too costly, there is an opportunity to better coordinate EG&S programs using decision tools that could focus programming to address key issues.

The Manitoba EG&S Initiative Working Group has produced an EG&S policy paper, with the purpose of proposing the “best path forward” for a new policy initiative related to EG&S from Manitoba’s agricultural and rural lands. This Working Group will review and make recommendations for EG&S policy options for Manitoba’s rural and agricultural lands.
 

National EG&S Working Group

MAFRI is playing a leading role in the national EG&S policy development exercise. The National Working Group on EG&S is co-chaired by Manitoba. One of its first activities was the National EG&S Symposium, February 14-16, 2006, Winnipeg. The National EG&S Working Group has developed the foundation on which to support the policy framework.

The very successful symposium was co-hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Government of Manitoba in cooperation with Environment Canada. Speakers from the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Australia and the Organization for Economic Co-Operation Development (OECD) shared the knowledge gained from their programs.

The National Working Group on EG&S has developed the foundation on which to support the policy framework:

• Policy principles to provide overall direction.
• Pilot project criteria (funding secured through Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF)).
• A detailed work plan has been developed for the committee including research projects. Some of the papers are being prepared internally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), some joint with provincial input, and several requests for proposals have been used to solicit consultant reports.
• A federal cost/benefit study, Cost-Efficiency Analysis of Possible EG&S Policy Options, was released in the fall of 2008.

 

For further information, contact your GO Representative.