Banner-carrying protesters in Vancouver join Extinction Rebellion protest

I had the pleasure of attending the recent celebrations welcoming grain shipments back to the Port of Churchill, alongside business leaders, port workers, community members and government partners. We find ourselves at an important and pivotal moment and there is a lot of optimism about Northern Manitoba.

Whether it’s the Port of Churchill Plus, all-weather roads and trade corridors, new mines and exploration, a transmission line to Nunavut or billions going into modernizing our hydro-electric systems, one thing is clear: Northern Manitoba needs to be prepared for a potential boom in development.

Now more than ever, Canada and Manitoba have to get this right.

Prime Minister Carney and Canada’s premiers have met with some of the world’s largest investors to discuss nation-building projects that will shape our country’s future.

Efficiency matters

Re: A development infused with personal memory, Think Tank, Sept. 15

Columnist Brent Bellamy mentions “a focus on high energy efficiency and near-zero carbon emissions over the life of the building.”

I hope this means geothermal heating, which is not specifically mentioned. This environmentally friendly feature is highly touted and is supposedly being employed in the new Southwood Circle development. This project at The Forks would also seem to be a prime candidate for the same.

Manitoba has a climate plan. Where is the pathway for protecting nature?

The Manitoba government has released its long awaited Path to Net Zero Plan, outlining ways to tackle emissions and build a more climate resilient future.

But something essential is missing.

In 2023, the Manitoba government committed to developing an action plan to protect 30 per cent of Manitoba’s lands and waters by 2030. The Path to Net Zero Plan recognizes the importance of nature in addressing climate change, calling for measures that restore, conserve, and enhance natural ecosystems. That recognition is welcome.