Manitoba moves forward on climate change

By: David Suzuki Foundation


OTTAWA – The David Suzuki Foundation congratulates the government of Manitoba on the release of its new climate change plan. With this plan and legislated global warming targets, Manitoba joins provincial leaders from Quebec and British Columbia on this important issue.

“The new climate change plan has good measures on energy, agriculture and transportation,” says Dale Marshall, climate change policy analyst for the Foundation. “The province’s new challenge is to quickly enact these measures, including the California vehicle standards, to ensure their commendable Kyoto commitment becomes a reality.”

Two weeks ago, Manitoba announced that it would legislate a target for greenhouse gas emissions that was compatible with Canada’s Kyoto targets. If implemented quickly, the release of a strong climate change plan provides Manitoba an opportunity to achieve that target.

“Several Canadian provinces are providing much needed leadership on tackling climate change,” says Mr. Marshall. “It is clear that provinces that act early will be best positioned to take advantage of the numerous economic opportunities that will take place.”

Quebec implemented a carbon tax last year and just announced that it would join a cap and trade system for large industrial emitters with Western U.S. states and other provinces (called the Western Climate Initiative or WCI). British Columbia will be implementing a significant carbon tax in July and will also be joining the WCI. Other provinces, such as Ontario and Nova Scotia, have also announced or implemented climate change measures.

For more information:

Dale Marshall, Climate Change Policy Analyst

David Suzuki Foundation

Cell: 613-302-9913

source: David Suzuki Foundation