In March 2001, Premier Gary Doer and Conservation Minister Oscar Lathlin announced the establishment of an eight-member task force that would assist in the development of Manitoba's strategy on climate change. Chaired by the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force was asked to address and advise on the environmental challenges and economic opportunities associated with climate change. Its specific purpose was:
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To raise public awareness and develop consensus about what actions Manitoba can take on climate change;
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To examine options in dealing with its consequences for our future environment, natural resources and economic development;
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To consider the province's prospects for developing technology to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
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To define a made-in-Manitoba approach; and
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To produce recommendations for government action.
The task force sought Manitobans' ideas on climate change and appropriate strategies to meet this challenge through a series of formal public meetings held in Winnipeg and Brandon in May and in Thompson in June, 2001. As well, the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force solicited presentations from specific experts and youth and established its own web site through which comments could be submitted by the general public.
The Manitoba Climate Change Task Force released its final report in September 2001. Entitled Manitoba and Climate Change: Investing in Our Future, this final report addresses the implications of climate change for Manitobans and how action may be taken to reduce emissions and slow the rate of change. It contains specific recommendations related to government action, agriculture, transportation, the North, emissions trading and public education and outreach. The task force's report provides the basis from which the Manitoba government can develop its own climate change action plan.
Members of the MCCTF
The following individuals led the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force:
Lloyd Axworthy, Chair - former Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, federal Foreign Affairs Minister, Human Resources Minister and Manitoba MLA, and currently Director and CEO of the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues at the University of British Columbia.
Elaine Cowan - President, Anokiiwin Training Institute.
Mike Spence - Mayor of Churchill.
Maureen Hancharyk - President, Manitoba Nurses Union.
Jim Carr - President and CEO, Business Council of Manitoba.
David Runnalls - President, International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Jack Dubois - Associate Curator of Mammalogy and Ornithology at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature and Vice-chair of the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development.
Christine Hamblin - Manitoba farmer and former Vice-president of Keystone Agriculture Producers.
Taskforce Documents:
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