4th Session, 41st Legislature

This HTML version is provided for ease of use and is based on the bilingual version that was distributed in the Legislature after First Reading.

Bill 243

THE CLIMATE AND GREEN PLAN AMENDMENT ACT (INTERNATIONAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE TARGETS)

(Assented to                                         )

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

C.C.S.M. c. C134 amended

1

The Climate and Green Plan Act is amended by this Act.

2

The preamble is amended by adding the following after the second paragraph:

AND WHEREAS measures for addressing climate change should be based on internationally accepted scientific findings, such as those of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;

AND WHEREAS these findings indicate that holding the increase in the global average temperature to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels is necessary to prevent dangerous climate change;

AND WHEREAS the global average temperature has increased nearly one degree Celsius above preindustrial levels;

3

Section 1 is amended

(a) by repealing the definition "carbon savings account"; and

(b) by adding the following definitions:

"annual total emissions" means the total amount of emissions in a year measured in carbon dioxide equivalent tonnes, after taking into account any emissions offsets obtained in that year. (« émissions annuelles totales »)

"carbon dioxide equivalent" means the mass of carbon dioxide that would produce the same global warming impact as a given mass of another greenhouse gas, as determined in accordance with the regulations. (« équivalent CO₂ »)

4

The following is added after section 1 and before the centred heading that follows it:

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS

Emissions reduction targets

1.1(1)

The following targets are established for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba:

(a) by 2030 and for each year after that until 2049, the annual total emissions in Manitoba must be at least 45% less than the annual total emissions in Manitoba in 2010;

(b) by 2050 and for each year after that, the annual total emissions in Manitoba must be zero.

Review

1.1(2)

The minister must review the targets established under this section at least once every three years and, following a review, may recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that the emissions reduction targets be increased.

Considerations

1.1(3)

In conducting the review, the minister must take into account

(a) the most recent internationally accepted scientific findings on climate change, including those of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;

(b) the advice and recommendations of the council; and

(c) input from the public.

Increasing targets

1.1(4)

On the recommendation of the minister following a review, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations increasing the emissions reduction targets established under this section.

Reporting on reviews

1.1(5)

For 2022, 2025 and every third year after that, the minister must prepare a report on the review carried out under this section.

Timing

1.1(6)

The report must be completed no later than six months after the three-year review to which the report relates.

Report to be made public

1.1(7)

Within one month after completing a report, the minister must make the report public.

5(1)

Subsection 2(1) is amended by replacing everything before clause (b) with the following:

Climate and green plan

2(1)

The minister must develop a plan with a comprehensive framework of programs, policies and measures designed to

(a) achieve the targets established under section 1.1;

(a.1) prevent dangerous climate change;

(a.2) reflect the most recent internationally accepted scientific findings on climate change, including those of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;

5(2)

The following is added after subsection 2(1):

Sector-specific targets

2(1.1)

The climate and green plan must establish an interim and a long-term target for reducing annual total emissions for each of the following sectors of economic activity:

(a) energy;

(b) agriculture;

(c) industrial processes and product use;

(d) waste;

(e) the government, including the government agencies and entities prescribed for the purpose of section 10;

(f) any other sector specified in the regulations.

Sector-specific and provincial targets may differ

2(1.2)

As long as the climate and green plan as a whole is designed to achieve the targets established under section 1.1, the targets established for an individual sector may differ from them.

5(3)

Subsection 2(3) is replaced with the following:

Annual review of climate and green plan

2(3)

The minister must review and revise the programs, policies and measures in the climate and green plan each year to ensure that they are achieving their intended objectives.

6

The centred heading before section 3 and sections 3 and 4 are repealed.

7(1)

Subsection 5(1) is replaced with the following:

Annual report on climate and green plan

5(1)

By April 30 of each year, the minister must prepare an annual report on the programs, policies and measures employed in the preceding year to implement the climate and green plan.

7(2)

Subsection 5(2) is amended in the section heading and in the subsection by striking out "greenhouse gas emissions" and substituting "annual total emissions".

7(3)

Subsection 5(3) is replaced with the following:

Progress on emissions reduction targets

5(3)

The annual report must set out

(a) the emissions reduction targets for the province and for each sector; and

(b) the progress made in the year toward achieving each target.

7(4)

The following is added after subsection 5(7):

Report to be made public

5(8)

The minister must make an annual report public as soon as reasonably practicable after it is tabled.

8

Section 6 is repealed.

9(1)

Subsection 8(1) is replaced with the following:

Role of council

8(1)

The council is to

(a) provide advice and recommendations to the minister on increasing the emissions reduction targets established under section 1.1;

(b) provide advice and recommendations to the minister on programs, policies and measures to be included in the climate and green plan, including targets established for sectors under subsection 2(1.1); and

(c) review progress on the implementation of the climate and green plan, and provide advice on any required changes to the plan.

9(2)

Subsection 8(2) is repealed.

9(3)

The following is added as subsection 8(3):

Minister must meet with council

8(3)

The minister must meet with the council at least six times each year.

10

Section 12 is amended by adding the following after clause (a):

(a.1) respecting the manner in which greenhouse gas emissions are to be determined on a carbon-dioxide-equivalent basis;

(a.2) specifying sectors of economic activity for the purpose of subsection 2(1.1);

Coming into force

11

This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.