Science, Technology, Energy and Mines

Leading the Way on Climate Change

Manitoba Works Towards a Climate Change Registry

The Province of Manitoba, the Canadian Standards Association and the Canadian Climate Exchange signed a Letter of Agreement on April 20, 2007 to work together on a conceptual design for a web-based portal as the first phase of a Climate Change Registry in Manitoba.  The three parties agree to work together on a variety of possible solutions including a web-based portal for the exchange of information about the supply of emission-reduction projects, demand from organizations wishing to reduce their GHG footprint, and eventual market-based solutions to provide a price signal and financial incentive for emissions reductions. 

The Province of Manitoba, the Canadian Standards Association and the Canadian Climate Exchange are committed to collaboration toward providing market based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba and beyond its borders. This partnership will allow Manitoba to continue to be positioned as a climate leader, both within Canada, and globally.

Climate Change Legislation Coming to Manitoba

The Province of Manitoba has announced its intention to introduce climate change legislation to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More information will be coming soon.

Business Week Recognizes Manitoba Climate Leadership

In its special issue on climate change in November 2005, Business Week magazine ranked Manitoba as the number one regional government in the world for battling climate change.  The magazine also placed Premier Gary Doer in its list of the top 20 international leaders who are combating climate change.

Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) National Report Card

Manitoba continues to lead the Canadian provinces in promoting and supporting energy efficiency according to a new national report card authored by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA). The CEEA, a leading non-governmental energy efficiency advocate, awarded Manitoba an A for the second year in a row.

Climate Leaders' Summit 2005

In December 2005, Premier Doer co-hosted a Climate Leaders’ Summit with Premier Jean Charest of Quebec during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal. The Summit brought together the heads of government of federated states and regions, including five Canadian premiers, and representatives of major corporations from around the world. Participants presented their best greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction initiatives and demonstrated the economic and social benefits associated with these innovative practices.

The Summit resulted in the adoption of a Declaration of the Federated States and Regional Governments on Climate (2005) in which signatories recognize that “climate change is an urgent, global problem that requires a coordinated, collaborative response to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Manitoba joins California in Setting Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

Premier Gary Doer and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Province of Manitoba, Canada and the State of California, United States of America (2006) that will:

• support Manitoba efforts to adopt legislation that would include setting out goals for greenhouse gas reductions
• explore the opportunity for Manitoba to participate in carbon-credit trading via the Clean Air Resources Board and the California Climate Action Registry
• promote further trade partnerships between the two jurisdictions in the areas of low- and no-emission vehicle technology, most notably in the production of hybrid and hydrogen buses and the plug-in hybrid vehicle
• continue to exchange best practices in areas such as 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

Manitoba and South Australia Collaborate on Climate Change

Premier Gary Doer and Premier Mike Rann of South Australia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on April 9th, 2006. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Province of Manitoba, Canada and the Government of South Australia, Australia (2006) provides a general framework for co-operative activities in the following areas:

• public administration and governance
• industry, trade and tourism
• education and training
• energy, science and technology
• the environment and sustainability
• social inclusion.

Within these broad categories, the memorandum identifies areas of initial focus where, in some cases, collaborative work has already begun. These include bioenergy development initiatives, energy efficiency programs and strategies, climate change initiatives, biotechnology business development, and healthy child development.

October 2007 British Columbia and Manitoba MOU

Premier Gary Doer and Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell signed a B.C. – Manitoba M.O.U. at the Manitoba’s Green Future - Dialogue on Climate Change Action and Greening our Economy conference on October 23, 2007. The agreement affirms the commitment of both provinces to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels and beyond, and sets out specific actions that will help meet those targets. Measures include:

• developing and implementing green building codes that achieve the highest level of energy efficiency in Canada;
• broadening renewable energy portfolios to include additional hydro, wind power, geothermal, solar and biomass power;
• designing a multi-sector market-based mechanism through the Western Climate Initiative by the end of August 2008; and
• promoting the development and use of low-emitting vehicle technologies including plug-in hybrid and hydrogen technologies and through initiatives such as the Hydrogen Highway and hydrogen transit projects.

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