Coalition says Manitoba needs to spend more to meet environmental targets

WINNIPEG — A coalition of environmental, labour and other groups said Thursday the Manitoba government must spend more money on climate protection in order to meet its emissions and land-protection targets.

The collection of 26 groups and individuals sent a letter to Finance Minister Adrien Sala that calls for more spending on energy efficiency and public transit, and more protected areas on land and in water.

“We’ve seen a lot of commitments from this provincial government on climate, but we need to those to be followed through with concrete investments,” Laura Cameron, director of Climate Action Team Manitoba, told reporters.

The NDP government has laid out a broad plan to have the province reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and net-zero on the hydroelectric grid by 2035.

The plan includes wind farms, adding more charging stations for electric vehicles, incentives for homes and businesses to improve energy efficiency and other initiatives.

At the same time, the government is also planning new power turbines in Brandon that will, initially at least, burn natural gas. The turbines could be converted in the future, the government has said, but more energy production is needed within the next few years to meet peak demand.

Cameron said environment-related money spent so far by the NDP government, elected in 2023, has been overshadowed by measures that support or encourage fossil fuel use. Some $73 million has been spent on emissions-reduction measures, she said, compared with $340 million the government gave up when it suspended the provincial gas tax for one year in 2024.

As for land protection, the government is working with the federal government on a possible marine conservation area in western Hudson Bay. But the coalition said more is needed to meet the province’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of land and water.

The coalition also called for the province to return to a previous 50-50 transit funding formula with municipalities to encourage more people to use buses.

“The job of every elected official in the foreseeable future is to ensure we have a livable planet,” Eric Reder, director of the Wilderness Committee, said.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes said more details of the province’s plans will come in the spring.

“They’re ultimately looking for increased investments on the environment, which is exactly what our path to net zero is all about,” Moyes said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2026.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press