Bill Blaikie, Manitoba’s Minister of Conservation, recently participated in the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Provincial Leaders Series.
Video highlights of the Minister Blaikie’s speech touch on four areas:
-
The Challenge Of Sustainability
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Part 1 & 2)
- Manitoba’s East Side
- A Sustainability Parable
And bonus coverage features his response to questions on The Image of the Interlake and on Nitrogen and Winnipeg’s Sewage System.
As well, video coverage includes greetings from the event sponsor, the Manitoba Pork Council.
Greetings from the event sponsor, the Manitoba Pork Council
The Challenge Of Sustainability
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Part 1
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Part 2
Manitoba’s East Side
A Sustainability Parable
Answering a Question on the Image of the Interlake
The MCC Currently has a Resolution on this issue:
2010-2011 Resolution: Rehabilitating The Image Of The Interlake, Southeastern Manitoba and the Red River Valley Management Zone
Preamble: On November 8, 2006 the Manitoba Minister of Conservation made a request to the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) to investigate the environmental stability of hog production in Manitoba.
The Minister released the report of the CEC on March 3, 2008, at the same time announcing a further halt to industry expansion in:
- Southeastern Manitoba
- The Red River Valley Special Management Zone: This area includes the Capital Region of the province.
- The Interlake: This region borders on Lake Winnipeg to the east and Lake Manitoba to the west.
On October 9, 2008 Bill 17 received Royal Assent and became law, changing The Environment Act and imposing a permanent ban on the expansion of the number of hogs in the Red River Valley Special Management Area and the municipalities of Armstrong, Bifrost (and the Town of Arborg and the Village of Riverton), Coldwell, De Salaberry (and the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys), Eriksdale, Fisher, Gimli (and the Town of Winnipeg Beach), Grahamdale, Hanover (and the City of Steinbach and the Town of Niverville), La Broquerie, Rockwood (and the Town of Teulon), Rosser, Siglunes, Springfield, St. Andrews (and the Village of Dunnottar), St. Clements, St. Laurent , Ste. Anne (and the Town of Ste. Anne), Tache, and Woodlands.
As a result of this process, the entire Interlake has been portrayed as environmentally sensitive, not just for hog farms but for businesses generally. However, the region possesses a very diverse soil, drainage and environmental profile. This variation can have a great impact on the suitability of each farm and business operation in the area and many are environmentally well suited to the Interlake.
Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba rehabilitate the image of southeastern Manitoba, the Red River Valley Management Zone and the Interlake by publishing confirmation that these areas have a variety of environmental capacities, some which are well suited to a variety of farms and other businesses.
Answering a Question on Nitrogen & Winnipeg’s Water System
The MCC has one more Resolution that directly touches on Minister Blaikie’s department:
2010-2011 Resolution: Nutrient Removal From Municipal Wastewater
Preamble: The Clean Environment Commission (CEC) has mandated that municipal waste water systems remove nitrogen and phosphorous from the effluent streams prior to the effluent reentering the lakes and rivers.
This recommendation can have a significant financial impact on Manitoba’s municipalities. For example, the City of Portage La Prairie is looking at a minimum of $51 million dollars in capital (in 2008 dollars) to build a facility to do this nutrient removal.
Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba; over the next 12 months and in consultation with the CEC, Manitoba Conservation, provincial park communities and Manitoba’s municipalities; determine the maximum levels of nitrogen and phosphorous that will be acceptable in wastewater effluent, work with the different levels of government to develop plans to reach these levels and, assist in the funding the construction of any facilities that are needed to help reach the identified levels.
Thanks to Minister Blaikie and our sponsor the Manitoba Pork Council for making this event possible.
