Government of Canada letter welcoming Manitoba to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

February 23, 2018

The Honourable Rochelle Squires
Minister of Sustainable Development

Dear Minister Squires

Thank you for your letter of February 20, 2018, which set out Manitoba’s position and confirmed a pathway for it to adopt the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

I was very pleased to hear of your decision. Manitoba’s recent climate plan, and in particular your province’s commitment to a price on carbon pollution of $25 per tonne beginning this year, is an important contribution to climate action in Canada.

The federal carbon pricing standard includes annual carbon price increases from $10 per tonne this year to $50 a tonne in 2022. Like all jurisdictions, Manitoba’s approach to carbon pricing will be reviewed each year against that benchmark. Your commitment to carbon pricing appears on track to meet the federal standard this year and the next, but would need to be strengthened to hit the standard in the years thereafter. The details of our annual assessments were outlined in a letter to provinces and territories from myself and Minister Morneau, which I am appending with this letter. 

On the basis of your letter and this one, I confirm that once Manitoba formally adopts the Pan Canadian Framework, the Government of Canada will make Manitoba’s full allocation under the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund available to Manitoba, in accordance with the program’s terms and conditions and the approach we have taken with other provinces and territories.

Joining the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change sends an important signal about our joint commitment to address climate change and invest in a clean growth future. The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will create valuable opportunities to help the people of Manitoba invest in new technology and to take actions that will support this vision. I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you and to jointly announcing projects that further demonstrate our commitment to constructive action.

Federal officials would be pleased to assist with any questions you may have about the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund or about our approach to carbon pricing.

Sincerely,