A vision for growth, sustainability, and reconciliation

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/12/2024 (293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the world shifts to a low-carbon economy, Manitoba finds itself at a pivotal moment. The time to act is now — to harness our province’s unique advantages, setting Manitoba on a path toward green innovation, sustainable practices, and high-quality jobs. Without decisive steps forward, Manitoba risks losing out to other regions already mobilizing their economies for tomorrow and attracting the next wave of investment.

This urgency is heightened by recent developments south of the border. If America’s incoming government follows through on promises to end federal support for the energy transition, it presents a dual challenge and opportunity for Canada. Our province is uniquely positioned to lead in critical sectors such as the battery supply chain, leveraging our vast reserves of critical minerals, established manufacturing base, and clean energy resources. From mineral extraction to battery production, EV assembly, and recycling, Manitoba can take the lead in building a sustainable, circular economy. This isn’t just an opportunity; it’s a responsibility to lead where others might retreat.

The Manitoba Green Advantage (MGA) is an initiative of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce whose aim is to strengthen Manitoba’s position as a leader in the green economy and guide the province towards a greener future by providing businesses with the necessary tools and resources to reduce their carbon footprint.

Manitoba’s green hydroelectric power, wealth of natural resources, established manufacturing base, and strategic location connecting domestic and international markets provide a solid foundation. However, meeting the surging demand for clean energy will require expanding our energy infrastructure. Projections show that to support key sectors like transportation, heavy industry, and housing, Manitoba’s electricity generation must grow by at least two-thirds by 2050. This transformation would require nearly doubling our capacity to support new industries and meet rising consumer demand.

The MGA program builds on our advantages, highlighting the top industry opportunities: wind energy, green hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, zero-emission commercial vehicles, small modular reactors (SMRs), and critical minerals. Each of these six opportunities has the potential to create jobs and attract investment, but they are interconnected, and development will be gradual.

For example, green hydrogen production will depend on expanding Manitoba’s clean energy generation, including wind — already prioritized in Manitoba’s Affordable Energy Plan — as well as considering SMRs as a low-carbon energy backup. While still under evaluation, SMRs could complement renewable sources like wind, providing consistent energy for hydrogen production when renewables are less available. They also represent an opportunity to alleviate energy poverty in northern and remote communities. Further, critical mineral processing can support manufacturing for zero-emission vehicles and energy storage systems, creating a low-carbon industrial ecosystem. Together, these opportunities fuel growth across Manitoba’s economy, positioning the province as an ideal destination committed to sustainability.

Rigorous research and economic analysis by the MGA program confirm these sectors as actionable pathways to strengthen Manitoba’s economy, create employment opportunities, and establish our leadership in industries that will power the future. These opportunities aren’t theoretical — they are viable routes to strengthen Manitoba’s economy, generate jobs, and establish our leadership in sustainable industries.

Before any assumptions are made, let me emphasize that the impacts of these projects must be thoroughly assessed. Each opportunity needs to be evaluated through three critical lenses: economic, environmental, and social.

This balanced approach is essential to ensure Manitoba’s development roadmap is sustainable, equitable, and benefits all stakeholders. At the Manitoba Green Economy Forum on Oct. 22 in Winnipeg, key stakeholders from business, government, Indigenous communities, and environmental organizations collaborated to evaluate these six top opportunities. They considered each opportunity’s complexity, impact, urgency and importance. This collaborative evaluation process helps ensure the roadmap is guided by diverse voices and expertise. Feedback from the forum is now under review, helping us refine a balanced, actionable roadmap that aligns with the pillars of a green economy.

But timing is critical. Across Canada and globally, other regions are competing for the same investments and innovations, each aiming to attract businesses and capital that prioritize sustainability. If Manitoba lags, we risk losing our competitive edge to regions that are better prepared and quicker to act. Every delay means missing out on investments that could power our economy, create jobs, and solidify Manitoba as a green leader.

With feedback from the Green Economy Forum guiding our next steps, Manitoba stands on the brink of something extraordinary. The MGA program has laid the groundwork, and with continued focus and collaboration, we can establish the roadmap for a resilient economy that strengthens communities, supports reconciliation, and secures a vibrant future.

Manitoba has a real chance to lead in the green economy, but it will take a united effort to make this vision a reality. We can’t afford to wait for others to set the pace. Manitoba’s green advantage is ours to claim — now is the time to leverage it, build on it, and create a sustainable, prosperous future that benefits all Manitobans.

Learn more about the Manitoba Green Advantage Program at mbchamber.mb.ca/programs/manitobas-green-advantage

Christa Rust is the Program Director for Manitoba Green Advantage, an initiative of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, with funding from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).