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7.6 Provincial Summary: Manitoba

Reality Check: The State of Climate Progress in Canada


Emissions profile

In 2009 Manitoba emitted 20.3 Mt CO2e, representing a 10% increase in emissions since 1990. A breakdown of 2009 emission by source is provided in Figure 1.

Emission reductions measures by source

The majority of Manitoba’s GHG emissions come from many smaller emitters in a wide range of sectors.132

Transportation is the largest emitting activity in Manitoba. In 2009 the GrEEEn (economically and environmentally efficient) Trucking Program came into effect.ff It provides incentives to Manitoba’s commercial trucking industry for installing various emission-reduction technologies. Under the program, companies are eligible for rebates of up to 25 per cent, to a maximum of $2,500 per unit, per tractor or trailer. In 2010, GHG reductions from this program were estimated at 1.5 Kt.133 There is also an ethanol sales mandate requiring gasoline to contain at least 8.5% ethanol, and a Biodiesel Mandate Regulation requiring an average of 2% biodiesel content in annual diesel fuel sales.134 The Centre for Sustainable Transportation and The Vehicle Standards Advisory Board promote public awareness on transportation emissions and provide recommendations to help the province develop appropriate, vehicle-emission standards.

The percent of emissions from agriculture in the province is almost equal to that of transportation emissions, but emissions from agriculture have increased by 31% since 1990. In 2009, to address agricultural emissions, the Manitoba Sustainable Agriculture Practices Program came into effect. This program provided funding and technical assistance to carry out sustainable agriculture projects; however this funding ends after 2012.

The significant reliance on hydro for electricity generation in the province plays a large role in limiting stationary energy emissions both within the province and in jurisdictions that purchase power from Manitoba (see Chapter 3).

Electricity and heat generation only produces 0.2 Mt of GHG emissions in the province. Manitoba Hydro Power Smart programs are demand side management initiatives which help green public buildings through increased energy efficiency, improved energy performance, energy conservation and load management activities. Power Smart Programs saved an estimated 112 kt in 2010. In 2009, the province implemented the Energy Efficiency Standards for Replacement Forced Air Gas Furnaces and Small Boilers Regulation – the first regulation of its kind in Canada. The regulation sets minimum annual fuel use efficiency standards for replacement gas furnaces and small boilers. Also in 2009, Manitoba’s Coal-Fired Emergency Operations Regulation came into effect under its Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act. This regulation restricts Manitoba Hydro’s use of coal to generate power to emergency operations. Further, in 2012 a tax on coal is supposed to come into effect. The tax, based on the grade of coal, is imposed on those who purchase more than one tonne of coal per year for use in Manitoba.

Residential and commercial and institutional emissions contribute 2.5 Mt CO2e in Manitoba. The province will adopt the 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings that will provide minimum requirements for the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings, and will apply to new buildings and substantial renovations to existing buildings. Energy efficiency programs exist for lower-income households and have been piloted for First Nations reserves.

Waste disposal is only 4% of the province’s total GHG emissions, but under its Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act, Manitoba requires the submission of an assessment of prescribed landfills’ potential for its emissions mitigation. A plan for monitoring, controlling, collecting or using GHG emissions before they are released must be considered as well.

The Manitoba government is also taking a leadership role in mitigating GHG emissions by measures focusing on public buildings and government fleet, and minimizing air and land travel.

Provincial evaluation of emissions reduction measures

The Manitoba Report on Climate Change for 2010 was a requirement under The Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act. This 2010 Report included a description of the province’s progress on emissions reductions, its current measures, future emissions reductions to 2025, and efforts to reduce emissions in other jurisdictions. Sixty action measures were outlined in the 2008 climate plan and the 2010 Report provides updates on these activities.

Manitoba’s Green Registry exists so Manitobans can go online to get the necessary information to measure, reduce and report their emissions.

Inter-jurisdictional measures

Manitoba has been a member of WCI since 2007. In 2009, Manitoba committed to legislation enabling the creation of a cap-and-trade system (see Chapter 3).

Because of Manitoba’s wealth of renewable resources the province has taken to helping other jurisdictions reduce GHG emissions through energy transmission (see Chapter 3).


[ff] Information included in this appendix is sourced from Government of Manitoba 2010 unless otherwise indicated.

[131] Environment Canada 2011b

[132] Government of Manitoba ND

[133] Government of Manitoba 2010

[134] Government of Manitoba 2010