The Manitoba government is investing up to $1 million to support the development and implementation of Manitoba’s new provincial water management strategy.

“The goal of Manitoba’s water management strategy will be to manage water sustainably as a key resource for Manitobans, ecosystems and the economy, while considering the impacts of a changing climate and growing economic and social needs,” said Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen.

“This work will build on our current tools for water management, the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Council, and through engagement with Manitobans, stakeholders, and communities across the province,” added Pedersen.

Manitoba’s water management strategy will include short-term actions (to be implemented within five years) to address immediate issues related to water management as well as longer-term actions (implemented over 15 to 20 years) that will support the strategy’s goal over the longer term.

The fund will be administered by the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI). An oversight committee, jointly appointed by EMILI and the minister, has also been established to review and approve projects and activities under the fund.

“Manitoba has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a water management strategy to drive economic and environmental prosperity in our province,” said Ray Bouchard, chair of the oversight committee for the fund. “Over the next year, this fund will support building a roadmap for a long-term water management strategy with identified projects from key economic sectors and insights from a diversity of stakeholders in Manitoba.”

The minister noted that a plan to engage the public, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders on the strategy is being finalized and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Header Image Credit: Tony Webster. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here
Please enter your comment!