Manitoba’s Merit-Based Program: Round two
Backgrounder
Manitoba’s Merit-Based Program funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including transitions from the combustion of fossil fuels to renewable energy within the province. The Manitoba Merit-Based Program is funded through Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund (LCELF) and the Province of Manitoba. The program was launched in the spring of 2023. In its first round, 28 projects received funding to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, both in urban and rural areas.
Summary of round-two projects
- Manitoba has executed agreements with 18 recipients under round two of the Merit-Based Program, representing a total combined investment of over $4.3 million from the federal and provincial governments.
- Merit Program round-two projects include 11 agricultural businesses across the province. Many agricultural businesses use grain-drying systems fired by natural gas or propane, and on-farm grain transfer and handling systems that use diesel-powered equipment.
- Merit Program funding will help support essential upgrades to more efficient fuels or zero emissions and renewable, electricity-driven systems for these agricultural projects, providing significant greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Below is the list of the 18 approved projects under the second round:
| Ultimate recipient | Project description | Total Environment and Climate Change Canada and Manitoba grant value |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural projects | ||
| Andrew Farms | Grain dryer upgrade and installation of three-phase power | $178,168 |
| Boekhorst Poultry Ltd. | Fuel switching from propane to an electric and hydronic heating system | $144,441 |
| BP & Sons Grain and Storage Inc. | Fuel switching grain transfer system from diesel power to renewable electricity | $46,303 |
| D. & D. Bruce Ltd. | Efficiency upgrades to gain a grain drying system and fuel switching for grain handling system | $195,816 |
| Foster Farms | Fuel switching diesel genset and efficiency gain for grain drying system | $236,950 |
| Haskett Growers (2014) Ltd. | Fuel switching from diesel to renewable electricity for irrigation project | $241,500 |
| Highland Ag Ventures Ltd. | Grain handling and dryer efficiency upgrade | $204,050 |
| Invernorth Ltd. | Grain dryer propane to propane efficiency upgrade and three‑phase power | $183,750 |
| J & D Klassen Farms Ltd. | Dryer efficiency upgrade and grain handling fuel switching | $115,150 |
| MPW Corporation | Dryer upgrade and fuel switching grain handling | $160,475 |
| Orlando Friesen and Son Inc. | Fuel switching diesel to electric and grain dryer upgrade | $276,500 |
| Public sector, municipal, and educational institution projects | ||
| City of Selkirk | Fuel switching from natural gas‑fired heating to a heat pump system running on renewable electricity | $52,000 |
| Canadian Mennonite University | Geothermal project | $351,000 |
| Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation – Flin Flon Aspen Grove | Fuel switching from propane to renewable electricity | $945,000 |
| Seven Oaks School Division | Geothermal project | $183,000 |
| Manitoba Shared Health – The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg | Fuel switching from natural gas to renewable electricity | $67,539 |
| Business and non-profit projects | ||
| Kikiwak Inn | Kikiwak Inn HVAC upgrade | $692,685 |
| United Church in Meadowood | Fuel switching from natural gas to geothermal | $27,383 |
| Total | $4,301,710 | |