Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Legislation in Manitoba

May 2021

Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan

Created in 2017, the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan [PDF], represents the provincial government’s vision for making Manitoba the cleanest, greenest and most climate resilient province in Canada. It contains a number of policy proposals, including demand-side management, transit electrification, and carbon pricing. Under the plan, Manitoba was proposing carbon pricing at a flat carbon price of $25 per tonne of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent emissions, to be implanted through a tax on carbon-based fuels and an output based pricing system for industrial facilities competing in emissions-intensive, trade-exposed sectors of the economy.

However, in October 2018 the Manitoba government announced that it was abandoning its carbon pricing scheme after the federal government advised Manitoba that the province’s scheme failed to meet the federal government’s stringency requirements for reducing GHG emissions.

Federal carbon pollution pricing system applies in Manitoba

As a result of Manitoba’s decision not to implement its own carbon pricing scheme that meets the federal government’s stringency requirements, as of 2019 the federal carbon pollution pricing system under the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the GGPPA) applies in the province.

The GGPPA contains two main parts:

• Part 1 applies a charge to 21 types of fuel delivered, transferred, used, produced, imported, or brought into the province, as well as to combustible waste that is burned for the purpose of producing energy (Fuel Charge). The Fuel Charge is currently $40 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent and will rise a further $10 to $50 on April 1, 2022.
• Part 2 introduces an output-based pricing system (OBPS) for large industrial emitters that have reported 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent or more in 2014 or a subsequent year to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, and  undertake certain enumerated industrial activities (“covered facilities”). Under the OBPS, covered facilities pay a carbon price if the emissions at their facilities exceed a set level. Covered facilities that pollute less than the set level earn credits that can be sold by the emitter.

Climate and Green Plan Implementation Act, 2018

Through the Climate and Green Plan Implementation Act, 2018 (the CGPIA), Manitoba became the first Canadian jurisdiction to implement climate accountability legislation. Under the CGPIA, a Carbon Savings Account (CSA) is introduced which establishes five-year cumulative emissions reduction goals for the province. The Manitoba government must establish the emissions reduction goal for each five-year period before its start date, taking into account the advice and recommendations of an Expert Advisory Council (EAC), an independent group of experts with a mandate to provide advice and recommendations based on original modelling of emissions-reductions scenarios. The CGPIA also commits to creating a Low Carbon Government office, which is responsible for developing and implementing policies and initiatives to reduce emissions and promote sustainable government operations.

Each year, the Manitoba government is required to table in the province’s Legislative Assembly an annual report on emissions reductions policies implemented, and progress against the CSA. At the end of each five-year period, the government must prepare a final report on emissions during the period, including an assessment of whether the goal was achieved.

Efficient Trucking Program

To address emissions from the transportation sector, Manitoba has introduced the Efficient Trucking Program, an application-based rebate program designed to support fuel saving retrofits for existing heavy-duty vehicles that have installed fuel saving devices or technologies related to tire and rolling resistance, aerodynamic technology and anti-idling technology. Under the program, an applicant can receive up to 50% of the cost of eligible devices and technologies.