Province names advisory council on climate plan

A group from academics, business, sustainable development and conservation will help the Progressive Conservative government implement its made-in-Manitoba climate change plan.

The announcement comes eight months after the PCs announced a plan to introduce a tax of $25 per tonne on carbon emissions.

The group will be chaired by ColleenSklar, who is theexecutive director of the Partnership of the Manitoba Capital Region and also includesDavid McLaughlin, who was the lead architectof the Tories' green plan.

Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires says the advisory council will look at initiatives such as a carbon savings account and other programs.

"I will be looking for advice on carbon emission reduction targets. That's something that this group will be taking a look at and how we can ensure that our investments are producing the best return on investment as it relates to carbon emission reduction," Squires said at a photo-op at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday.

The Manitoba government has signedOttawa's climate change plan but its pledge fora $25-carbon tax will not meet federal guidelines of $50 per tonneafter two years.

The federal government had set a "backstop" of $10 per tonne per year, rising to $50 per tonne in five years.

• Manitoba signs federal climate-change plan
• Manitoba thumbs nose at Ottawa, sets own carbon tax scheme

The decision to sign on to thePan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change triggers approximately$67million in federal funding for the province from Ottawa's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund.

Despite introducing legislation for its climate change plan (the bill's passage has been delayed until the fall session) the PC government has notyet announced firmcommitments toemission reduction programs, though Squires says there are plans to support ideas such as the electrification of some of Winnipeg Transit's buses.

Political wrangling between the Opposition NDP and the government has forced back debate and passage of the Tories'legislation, meaning a five-cent increase in fuel at the pumps won't likely happen until the end of 2018.

The PC government has been criticized for a lack of specific programming and for promising its carbon emission plan will be revenue-neutral.

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Squires says her government is committed to introducing a series of initiatives and monitoring emissions.

"We've got a very nimble advisory council that will be providing advice every step of the way. We will be doing annual reports, which means an annual review of how we are progressing. And then the five-year report on emission reductions," Squires said.

Expert Advisory Council for Climate and Green Plan

• ColleenSklar,Lockport chair
• AndrewMacSkimming, Winnipeg vice-chair
• Dennis Anderson,Gimli
• Jim Irwin, LakeAudy
• IanGillies, Winnipeg
• KarlaGuyn,Lockport
• Dimple Roy, Winnipeg
• LaurieStreich, Winnipeg
• David McLaughlin will serve as technicaladvisorto the ExpertAdvisoryCouncil