Climate change is threatening people’s health, livelihoods, homes, recreational and cultural activities. After a summer on fire, Manitoba needs to invest in solutions that protects what’s precious.
Tell the MB government to back up its climate strategy with investments in Budget 2026.
This October, the Province of Manitoba published it’s “Path to Net-Zero” climate strategy with some good ideas, but no specifics.
Now they need to follow through with investments to make the strategy worth it. We can’t afford another plan that sits on the shelf, while Manitobans struggle to pay their bills and worry for their children’s future, still reeling from this summer’s record wildfires.
We need immediate investment to provide safe, health, and climate friendly transportation, housing, and energy. We need to build and protect clean electricity for Manitobans, not for AI data centres and carbon capture fairy tales. Our communities, the land, air, water and our children’s future are worth it.
We need increased investment in:
- Urban and inter-community public transit to help Manitobans get around safely without cars
- Heat pumps and efficiency, to lower household bills and reduce energy waste
- Wind, solar, and battery storage to ensure clean, affordable electricity for all
Take Action
Recommendations for a strong climate plan
Comprehensive, covering all major sectors, including agriculture and transportation;
The plan must provide a clear blueprint for how the Province will rapidly reduce emissions in line with Canada’s international climate commitments that require wealthier countries to do their fair share, and coordinate the careful transition to a zero-
emissions provincial economy. This transition necessarily involves all sectors in Manitoba:there cannot be any “free riders” whose pollution is subsidized by the rest of society. While
emissions reductions will look different in various sectors, all efforts must be collectively guided by a provincial plan that provides clarity in timelines, funding and enforcement for
failure to meet targets. It must also include a plan for climate adaptation and improved responses to extreme weather events.
Strong targets, including 2030 and 2035 emission-reduction targets;
Manitoba’s existing emissions-reduction target, established by the previous government using an atypical “carbon savings account” approach, is not sufficient given the urgency and scale of the climate crisis. Building on the strong private member’s bill introduced by the Manitoba NDP in 2019, the Province of Manitoba should adopt targets of a 50 percent reduction below 2023 levels by 2030 (at or below 10.6 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, or MtCO e), a 67 percent reduction by 2035 (at or below 7 MtCO e) and an 80 percent reduction by 2040 (at or below 4.3 MtCO e). The targets would firmly establish Manitoba as a national leader in climate action and provide clarity to relevant industries looking to build capacity in the province.
Well-resourced, with policies backed with significant funding in the Budget 2026;
A successful climate plan must have a sufficient level of resources to back up strong targets, timelines, and policies. This includes direct public funding to programs, as well as increased government capacity and coordination dedicated to implementation, sectoral modelling and supportive legislation and regulations to accelerate climate action. The Province must also dedicate funding to ensure regular monitoring and reporting of progress. Public investments must ramp up in Budget 2026.
Equitable, advancing socioeconomic equality and ensuring nobody is left behind.
The plan must also advance socioeconomic equality and ensure nobody is left behind. By centering principles of a just transition and Indigenous self-determination, a strong climate plan can ensure that workers and communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change and a transition away from fossil fuels and emissions-intensive agriculture benefit from public policies and investments, including in Northern Manitoba. Policies and incentives should also support low-income people and renters who cannot afford to buy a new vehicle or household upgrade, not only home-owners and businesses.