New Legislation for a Cleaner, Greener Manitoba

Laura ManningNews

WINNIPEG, MB. – With a goal to reduce carbon emissions, keep jobs and stimulate innovation, the Manitoba Government has introduced new legislation for a cleaner, greener and climate-resilient province.

5 separate acts that would cover a variety of areas are included in the green plan implementation:

  • a new climate and green plan act that would replace The Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act and The Sustainable Development Act,
  • a new industrial greenhouse-gas emissions control and reporting act, and
  • amendments to The Water Protection Act, The Income Tax Act and The Fuel Tax Act.

    • These proposed changes would allow for the implementation of the made-in-Manitoba carbon pricing system that balances Manitoba’s unique environmental and economic realities, and would create new initiatives such as:

  • a $40-million climate and green fund available for projects in Manitoba dedicated to help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, such as public and active transportation, natural restoration such as wetland restoration, energy efficiency for buildings, and waste and recycling programming;
  • a transparent reporting process for greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions reduction;
  • a low-carbon government office to reduce the carbon footprint of government operations; and
  • the formation of a new expert advisory council that would provide advice and guidance to reduce emissions in Manitoba and help the province adapt to climate change.

    • The proposed legislation would establish GHG emissions limits for regulated industrial facilities and hold operators accountable if they exceed their established limits. The Fuel Tax Amendment Act would implement the $25-per-tonne carbon tax on fuel products, and would be administered through the existing fuel tax system for collection and administration.

    The province will return all revenue collected from the carbon tax to Manitobans over the next four years through various measures, which include personal income tax relief, small business tax reductions, and rolling back the retail sales tax to seven per cent by 2020.

    Laura Manning, With Files from the Manitoba Government

    File Photo