Environment coalition criticizes Manitoba climate funding on Earth Day
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Aurelia Collantes is doing her part to protect the planet, but is worried more isn’t being done for her and future generations.
“The climate is very important to me because the Earth takes a lot of care for us,” the 16-year-old high school student said Tuesday outside the Manitoba legislature. “I feel like as a population, and as a community, we should take care of it back and start caring more about it, it’s given so many things.”
Aurelia was one of about 300 people who celebrated Earth Day with a rally outside the legislature. Inside, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced more than $1.3 million in funding for several projects across the province. That included cash for “climate plan projects” in 17 communities. Funding for the installation of 51 electric vehicle chargers across the province was previously announced.

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
The Raging Grannies perform during Tuesday’s Earth Day rally at the Manitoba Legislative Building.
A Manitoba environmental coalition was not impressed with the announcements, saying more investments — including heat pumps and geothermal energy to heat buildings — need to be made.
“Two million dollars (including the previously announced EV chargers) is just very far away from the scale of investment that we need to see to really be taking climate action seriously,” Laura Cameron, director of programs and strategy with Manitoba’s Climate Action Team, said. “We’re just hoping in the months to come that we’ll be seeing more announcements from the province and that they’ll be scaling up their investment and commitment on climate.”
She added that while the province has a net-zero emissions target of 2050, they need to add a target for 2030.
“Without that 2030 target, we don’t have the roadmap to tell us where we need to go, and how much investment and action we need to see in the next five years.”
Several other Earth Day-related events are also on the horizon. The Assiniboine Park Conservancy has scheduled six events, including tours, workshops and cleanups, over the next month. Registration is available on the Assiniboine Park website.

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Talia Spence (left) and Cataleya Rapisura display their homemade signs at the Earth Day rally.
Laura Cabak, director of communications and public relations for the organization, said it’s a great way to get involved.
“It’s about empowerment, it’s about giving people opportunities to make a difference,” Cabak said. “We all have that power to make a difference … when a lot of people do something, even if it’s something small, it can have a really big impact.”
Aurelia said she is trying to make as big of an impact as she can at her school. She is the co-president of Maples Collegiate’s eco group, and currently planning an eco-week.
She said a community cleanup is scheduled, as is a clothing swap drive to “involve more people in the climate crisis.
“As a member of this community, I feel obligated to take care of the Earth.”

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Students from Leila North Community School participated in the Earth Day rally, which brought together students from across the city.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca