Ecclectica » Our Air, Our Water, Our Future

by Mr. Hugh McFadyen
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba

Hugh McFadyen

It's becoming ever more apparent every day, the way we have lived our lives over the past half-century is having a profound effect on our environment. Evidence of man-made changes to our environment, be it the algae blooms taking over our lakes each summer, boil water advisories in our rural communities, or the annual creep of global temperatures, is becoming impossible to ignore.

I believe that taking steps to preserve and protect the environment for future generations is everyone's responsibility. We all drink the same water and breathe the same air, and the way we treat our world today will determine the world our children and grandchildren inherit. Fortunately, we have the tools available not only to mitigate our own provincial environmental impact, but also become a national leader in the development and distribution of clean energy, helping other jurisdictions reach their climate change goals.

With respect to air quality in Manitoba, we don't face the same challenges as Southern Ontario or other heavily populated areas where smog warnings and air quality advisories have become commonplace. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), released by burning fossil fuels, are one of the primary contributors to global warming. While Manitoba is responsible for a small proportion of Canada's national GHG emissions, we are also well positioned to do our part to contribute to a lower carbon economy.

Preserving and protecting our water - our most precious resource - is a major challenge facing Manitoba today. Lake Winnipeg is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world but its deterioration is happening right before our eyes. Increased algae growth produces toxins that threaten aquatic life and water quality. The signals are everywhere. If we don't take steps today to save Lake Winnipeg future generations may not have a lake clean enough to enjoy.

The PC Party of Manitoba is committed to being a good steward of Manitoba's environment and natural resources.

Building Canada's Leading Clean Energy Company and Reducing GHGs

Manitoba is well positioned to capitalize on our abundance of clean energy resources. The global move towards becoming a low-carbon society presents the perfect opportunity for further development of these resources with the goal of exporting clean, renewable energy to other jurisdictions as they move away from non-renewable energy sources such as coal. The benefits of this development are twofold in that they help these jurisdictions meet their emission reduction goals, while at the same time boosting the Manitoba economy and presenting the potential for increased jobs and economic development for Manitoba.

The release of the Progressive Conservative Manitoba Hydro policy document Ours for Always: Building Canada's Leading Clean Energy Company outlines how we believe Manitoba Hydro can become a national leader in the production and distribution of clean energy.

I've been asked why we would make changes to Manitoba Hydro. I believe the changes reflect a broader mandate, which in addition to hydroelectricity will include other clean energy alternatives. While hydropower will always be the cornerstone of Manitoba's energy network, we must also expand our energy portfolio and become a leader in the research and development of new energy sources. Wind, hydrogen, biodiesel, ethanol and all other potential clean energy sources must be explored to determine how they may benefit our energy generation and export potential. Just because we already have an abundance of easily accessible clean energy does not mean we should not always strive to be better. The more generation capacity we develop, the more likely our export markets such as Ontario, Saskatchewan and the United States will be able to shut down their coal fired plants in favour of clean energy imports. The creation of the Manitoba Clean Energy Company will deliver a clear message to the world: Manitoba is a leader in all types of clean energy production and can assist other jurisdictions in reducing emissions.

We must also ensure that we practice what we preach. The fact is, one of Manitoba Hydro's own facilities accounts for over one quarter of all CO2 emissions in the province. The Brandon Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, emitted more than 585,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2005, making it the third worst producer of GHGs in the province. If Manitoba is to become a clean energy leader we need to look at our own practices and address this gap in our clean energy portfolio. We must move to decrease our dependence on non-renewable resources in the very near future, weighing all options to ensure that the conversion to another energy source is both environmentally friendly and economically sound.

One such possibility that could pay big dividends both environmentally and economically would be moving towards biofuels to offset the use of coal in Brandon. Research and development into biofuels is progressing at an amazing pace and the agricultural industry in Manitoba is well poised to support an expanded industry in our province. Biodiesel could be produced and processed locally and then converted to electricity at the Brandon facility.

Another industry in which research and development are leading to major advancements is the integration of wind generation with hydrogen generation and other energy storage. One of the central drawbacks to wind power is that it is interruptible - energy is only generated when the wind is blowing. Now, companies such as the Hydrogen Engine Centre have developed systems using wind power to generate hydrogen in high wind conditions, which is then converted to electricity in slack wind conditions. Research is also advancing battery systems to the point where wind energy can be stored for use during periods of calm. This integration has the potential to vastly improve the reliability of wind power. The integration of these storage systems and wind power is something that could lead to the ability to expand on Manitoba's wind power capacity, while at the same time lowering cost.

The commitment to clean energy is also a commitment to cleaner air. Much of the world's energy is currently generated through burning fossil fuels, which are leading contributors to air pollution (the coal-fired Nantikoke Generating Station in Ontario alone generated a staggering 17.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2005). If we do not curb our dependence on these fuels we will only continue to damage our environment. Manitoba has the ability to use our clean energy strengths the way that Alberta has used oil to obtain prosperity. The greatest benefit, and our advantage over fossil fuel developers, is that our energy supply is clean and sustainable. Our renewable energy sources will be ours for always. Long after the oil is drained from the sands in Alberta and all of the coal has been mined, Manitoba will still have lakes and rivers to pave the way towards a clean environment and a sustainable economy.

Ensuring Clean Water for Manitobans

Lake Winnipeg, the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world, symbolizes the abundance of our water resources and provides an indicator of the need for improved water quality.

There is clear evidence of runoff contaminating our freshwater supplies. The amount of algae in the lake, fuelled by increased phosphorus and nitrogen levels, has increased substantially in recent years. This not only affects water quality, but is also harming aquatic life in the lake. When algae die and decompose, they can absorb large amounts of oxygen from lake water. Reduced oxygen levels can threaten fish species by destroying their food sources, as well as the fish themselves. Some species of algae can also release toxins dangerous to aquatic and other wildlife.

A field of algae 4,000 square kilometres in size was reported on Lake Winnipeg in early June 2006, much earlier than usual. Large algae masses also meant beaches in the south basin were closed for extended periods during the summer months. The Save Lake Winnipeg Foundation has indicated that a significant amount of phosphorus is remaining in the sediment of the lake. The long-term water quality implications of this are unknown at present.

As is the case with GHGs, we have the ability and scientific knowledge to combat pollution of our waterways, all it takes is the commitment. For example, wetlands can remove up to 94 percent of phosphorus from water that enters them. Just one acre of wetlands with water depth of one foot can store 330,000 gallons of water. Yet Manitoba has one of the highest rates of wetland drainage on the Prairies. That is why we recently announced our intention to bring forward a program to provide incentives for landowners to retain wetlands and store water, even temporarily, on their land before it is sent downstream. This will ultimately result in less nutrient runoff into the Lake Winnipeg watershed. Wetland preservation also helps ensure adequate water supplies for regions that may otherwise be affected by drought.

The Federal Government recently committed $7 million in its 2007 Budget to address water quality in Lake Winnipeg. I applaud this announcement because it represents a commitment to target water quality based on a scientific approach. I hope this is the first step of a strong, science-based strategy by both the Federal and Provincial Governments to address Manitoba's water quality.

Preserving our clean air and protecting our vast water systems is paramount for Manitoba in the coming years. We are committed to developing clear, proactive environmental policies that will encourage Manitobans to participate and make a difference.

As a parent, I want to know that the world I leave to my children will provide them the same benefit of clean air and water that I have enjoyed growing up in Manitoba. In a world that's changing faster than ever before, Manitoba needs to realize the importance of striking a balance between a thriving economy and preserving our precious ecosystem. We have the ability and the tools necessary to strike this balance, all we need is the will and commitment to do it. I know that in partnership with Manitobans, a Progressive Conservative Government can become a national leader in environmental progress and clean energy development. The most powerful legacy that we can leave for future generations is the knowledge that this planet is in better condition than when we inherited it. Our environment is warning us of what awaits if we do not take real action to fight climate change through emissions reduction. If we do not heed these warnings, our legacy will be one of failure.

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