MANITOBA BUDGET FALLS SHORT ON CLIMATE AND NATURE: Report Card Shows Province Falling Behind on Climate, Transit, and Nature Commitments
Winnipeg, MB, Treaty 1 Territory – A coalition of environmental, health and community organizations have published a report card giving Manitoba’s Budget 2026 a near failing grade for its lack of meaningful investment in climate action and environmental protection.
Earlier this year, a broad group of organizations called on the provincial government to make strategic investments in three key areas: energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Today’s budget falls short across the board.
“Manitobans are looking for revolutionary investment in the face of growing climate impacts and loss of nature, and this budget does not meet the moment,” said Ron Thiessen, Executive Director of CPAWS Manitoba. “This is the third budget from this government and while we are seeing progress on some initiatives, the resources provided fall far short of what is needed. We’re out of time for delays, the province’s commitments can’t be achieved without the funding to get the job done.”
The coalition’s Budget 2026 Climate Report Card assigns the following grades:
Overall Climate & Environment Investment: D
While there are modest increases in several environmental budget lines, they sorely lack the funding needed to meet Manitoba’s climate and conservation commitments.
Energy Efficiency – D
The budget does not introduce meaningful new investments in energy efficiency programs. While the budget lists $10 million for the Affordable Home Energy Program, this is funded through Efficiency Manitoba’s existing budget and does not expand or increase access to the program.
“Energy efficiency helps affordability — it saves Manitobans money on bills, makes their homes more comfortable, creates jobs, increases the tax base, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and avoids the need for costly climate killing gas plants. So why didn’t the province choose to invest more?” said James Beddome, Executive Director of the Manitoba Eco-Network.
Transit & Transportation – C
The budget fails to deliver new, sustained investments in public transit or commitments to improve service. Without increased operational funding, Manitobans will continue to face barriers to affordable, low-carbon transportation options. Eliminating transit fares for youth is a positive step, and a great affordability measure, but it is unlikely to meaningfully reduce emissions without complementary increases in operating funding to improve and expand service.
“Public transit is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce emissions and improve affordability, yet the government continues to underinvest in the services Manitobans rely on every day,” said Laura Cameron, Director of Climate Action Team Manitoba. “We urgently need to see 50-50 transit operating funding fully restored and expanded to fill this gap and revive struggling transit systems.”
Nature Protection (30×30) – C-
Despite Manitoba’s ambitious commitment to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030, the budget does not provide the elevated funding required to accomplish the task. There is no clear plan to support Indigenous-led conservation, build needed government capacity, or deliver the long-term investments required to meet this target. Overall expenditures for protection and stewardship of nature as a percentage of the total provincial budget is comparable to last year.
“Manitoba has made a commendable pledge to almost triple the amount of protected areas before the end of the decade, but this budget does not include the resources needed to turn that promise into action. Conserving our natural lands and waters is vital to help combat climate change, halt wildlife decline, and support a sustainable economy,” said Thiessen. “We do, however, recognize and appreciate the province’s collaborative efforts toward protecting the Seal River Watershed and a marine conservation area in Hudson Bay.”
The coalition notes that climate change is already costing Manitobans through increased wildfires, drought, and extreme weather events. Without proactive investment, those costs will continue to rise and be pushed onto future generations.
“The choice to double down on balancing the budget while further cutting taxes is pushing greater climate costs and devastation onto the next generation, while missing myriad opportunities to grow low-carbon industries and jobs,” said Cameron. “A climate plan without investment is simply a wish list. We need to move from pledges to action backed by investment, accountability, and long-term science-based strategies.”
The organizations are calling on the provincial government to revisit its investment strategy and work collaboratively with communities, Indigenous Nations, and stakeholders to deliver significant investments in 2026 that advance its climate and nature commitments.
The letter signatories include: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Manitoba; Climate Action Team Manitoba; Climate Reality Project Canada; CPAWS Manitoba; Manitoba Eco-Network; Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition; Manitoba Public Health Association; ; Sustainable Brandon; Wilderness Committee Manitoba.
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Media Contact
Chelsea Thomson
Communications Manager, CPAWS Manitoba
204-590-8238
