News Releases

January 26, 2021

The Manitoba government will provide $600,000 in new grants through the Conservation and Climate Fund to eight organizations for green initiatives throughout the province, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today.

“We have taken an important step in moving the Conservation and Climate Fund to a competitive intake process and a merit-based approach that delivers projects offering value for money and green economic opportunities, aligning with the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan,” said Guillemard. “We know that Manitobans expect smart investments that will help us become Canada’s most climate-resilient province.”

The Manitoba government launched the Conservation and Climate Fund last year. Investments in green initiatives through the fund have nearly doubled this year to a total of $600,000 from the $355,000 that was granted to various groups in 2020.

Grants have been awarded this year to the following groups through the new results-oriented intake process:
• Bike Winnipeg – approximately $37,000 for the Bikeshare Social Enterprise Project;
• Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources –  $100,000 for a project on nutrient reduction in the Lake Winnipeg Basin through nature-based solutions and a collaborative approach involving Indigenous and municipal leaders;
• Crescent Fort Rouge United Church (Winnipeg) – $1,200 for a community organic composting project;
• Ducks Unlimited Canada – $65,000 to support a project involving climate adaptation contributions of wetlands in livestock production grasslands;
• Frontiers North Adventures – approximately $149,000 to assist with the conversion of a Tundra Buggy in Churchill to electric power from diesel;
• Manitoba Building Trades Institute – approximately $78,000 for an aquaponics greenhouse training facility to teach sustainable food production;
• Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (W.R.E.N.C.H.) – approximately $29,000 for Project CleanCycle, which will reclaim bicycle parts from the waste stream while providing education to youth and affordable active transportation options; and
• Winnipeg Trails Association Inc. – approximately $138,000 for Project Bicycle Power for Every Ability, which will match bicycles to the specific needs of newcomer/refugee communities, Indigenous communities, differently abled people and those with a need to transport young children.

“Support from Manitoba’s Conservation and Climate Fund is kick-starting our diesel-to-electric power Tundra Buggy fleet conversion,” said John Gunter, president and CEO, Frontiers North Adventures. “This first EV Tundra Buggy will help to reduce our carbon footprint while relying on 100 per cent renewable energy generated right here in Manitoba. I can’t wait to deliver guests a silent touring experience among Manitoba’s wild polar bears and under our amazing northern lights.”

“We are pleased the Province of Manitoba has selected our innovative and forward-thinking aquaponics programs as a recipient of the Conservation and Climate Fund,” said Sudhir Sandhu, CEO, Manitoba Building Trades Institute. “This first-of-its-kind program in Western Canada will provide key training opportunities in the green economy, while addressing the crucial issues of food insecurity and sustainability.”

Manitoba continues to work toward becoming Canada’s cleanest, greenest and most climate-resilient province, Guillemard added. The Conservation and Climate Fund has modernized the grant application processes for non-profit organizations, made businesses eligible to apply and facilitated more results-oriented projects. Through a convenient one-stop online portal, applications were received and assessed by a government-wide team to maximize the effort to achieve the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan’s priorities including cleaner water, conservation and low-carbon solutions.

For information on the Conservation and Climate Fund, visit Manitoba GO (Manitoba Grants Online) at www.gov.mb.ca/grants/grant-name.html.

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