Bill Blaikie, Manitoba’s Minister of Conservation, recently participated in the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Provincial Leaders Series.
Short Bio: Bill Blaikie was first elected as Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for the constituency of Elmwood on March 24, 2009. On November 3, 2009, Premier Greg Selinger appointed him as Government House Leader, as well as Minister of Conservation and the Minister responsible for recycling, environmental education and climate change.
A Member of Parliament from 1979 to 2008, he represented the Winnipeg riding of Elmwood—Transcona as a member of the New Democratic Party. As a Member of Parliament, he served in a number of critic roles, including Environment, Health, Trade and Foreign Affairs. He also served as NDP House Leader, Parliamentary Leader and Deputy Leader. He was the Dean of the House of Commons from 2004 to 2008 and, in 2006, he was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, the first New Democrat to serve in that position. In 2007, he was voted Parliamentarian of the Year in a poll of his peers conducted by Maclean’s Magazine.
Minister Blaikie’s speech to the Manitoba Chambers audience covered three areas:
- Climate Change & Manitoba
- Manitoba’s Green Economy
- Manitoba’s Green Energy
You can access our video coverage below. Bonus video coverage features the Minister answering a question about the removal of phosphorous and nitrogen in municipal wastewater and greetings from our event sponsor, The Manitoba Pork Council.
Thanks to Minister Blaikie for making this event possible and a special thanks to event sponsor The Manitoba Pork Council.
Greetings from Event Sponsor, the Manitoba Pork Council
Climate Change & Manitoba: Part 1
Climate Change & Manitoba: Part 2
Manitoba’s Green Economy
Manitoba’s Green Energy
Answering a Question about the Removal of Phosphorous and Nitrogen in Municipal Wastewater
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has a Resolution on this matter calling for:
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.
Check out the full Resolution report on this issue here.