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The report identifies that Canada must increase the share of electricity in commercial and institutional building heating from less than 15% to at least 75% by 2050 to reach net-zero goals. It highlights three primary obstacles: the low cost of natural gas, a lack of internal planning capacity and a 'business-as-usual' bias among technical experts, and significant capital constraints for building owners. To address these, the report proposes five catalysts: short-term electrification plans for businesses, integrating net-zero mandates into utility and regulatory frameworks, aligning utility planning with net-zero trajectories to ensure clean energy supply, establishing building performance standards, and developing innovative public-private financing models. Examples of progress include the bi-energy strategy in Quebec and performance standards in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

The report evaluates the economic value of the Seal River Watershed, a pristine region in Northern Manitoba. It finds that the watershed provides at least CAD 214 million in annual ecosystem goods and services. The document argues that protecting such intact regions is critical for global biodiversity and climate goals, highlighting efforts to establish the area as an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) led by the Sayisi Dene First Nation.

The report finds that while Canadian community foundations (CCFs) have grown their endowments to nearly CAD 7 billion as of 2020, they have largely failed to use these assets to combat climate change. Most CCFs rely on vague 'ESG integration' for risk mitigation rather than pursuing climate-positive investments. The analysis reveals significant capacity gaps and a lack of diversity on investment committees, which often act as barriers to strategic change. The report recommends moving toward positive screening, increasing transparency of holdings, and joining the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change to align financial assets with community climate goals.

The Seal River Watershed is a 50,000 km2 region in Northern Manitoba that is 99.97% intact and free-flowing. The report estimates that the watershed provides at least CAD 214 million in annual EGS, primarily driven by the non-use value of species conservation. Additionally, the carbon stored in its peatlands, wetlands, and forests is valued at CAD 314.5 billion based on the social cost of carbon. The document argues that Indigenous stewardship through an Indigenous Protected Area is the most effective way to preserve these values against risks from mining, all-weather roads, and water diversion.

The document analyzes how Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland created a highly integrated electricity market, notably through the Nord Pool exchange, to balance variable renewable energy with hydroelectric storage. It argues that Canada's 'balkanized' grid, characterized by provincial control and political resistance, could benefit from similar bilateral exchanges—specifically linking hydroelectric-rich provinces like Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia with those transitioning from fossil fuels—to lower costs and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The document analyzes the Nordic model of electricity co-operation—characterized by two-way trade, market harmonization via Nord Pool, and regional governance—as a blueprint for Canada. It argues that Canadian provinces could lower decarbonization costs by using hydro-rich provinces as 'batteries' to back up variable renewable energy in other regions, provided they overcome political resistance and regulatory misalignment.

A survey of over 300 municipalities and Indigenous communities in the Prairie provinces reveals that while over 80% have experienced unusual extreme weather in the last decade, formal preparation is low, with only 5% having completed a formal adaptation plan. Communities report significant barriers to progress, including limited financial resources, staff time, and technical skills.

A 2020 survey of 70 producers in Manitoba, Canada, found that age, education, farm size, and financial assistance significantly impact the adoption of agri-environmental beneficial management practices (BMPs). The primary barriers to adoption are high upfront and maintenance costs and a lack of financial support, while participation in the Living Lab program increased the likelihood of future BMP adoption.

The report analyzes a 2020 survey of 70 Manitoba producers to identify drivers of beneficial management practice (BMP) adoption. It finds that younger, more educated producers operating larger farms, those receiving financial assistance, and those in Living Lab – Eastern Prairies watersheds are more likely to adopt BMPs. Primary barriers are economic, specifically high upfront costs, while the strongest incentives are improving soil health and farm profitability. The study emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer networks and tailored information delivery, noting that Living Lab participation generally improves producer relationships with government agencies and other farmers.

The report examines the intersection of climate change and agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. It highlights that while the Prairies are warming faster than most of Canada, leading to increased risks of drought, flooding, and pests, the agricultural sector also contributes significantly to national emissions, particularly through nitrogen fertilizer and livestock. The authors argue that current federal and provincial policies lack concrete sectoral targets and comprehensive strategies, recommending a shift toward agroecology, reinstated public extension services, and targeted financial incentives for beneficial management practices to ensure long-term viability.

The report presents a business case for investing in community-based water monitoring (CBWM) in Canada, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and scientific rigour compared to conventional public sector monitoring. It identifies a critical data gap, noting that 100 of Canada's 167 sub-watersheds lack sufficient data to report on health. Through case studies in the Lake Winnipeg basin, the Kaska Dena ancestral territory, and the Annapolis River, the document demonstrates that CBWM can reduce costs (e.g., a 3.4:1 expense difference in the Lake Winnipeg case) and integrate Traditional Knowledge. The author argues that the current 'non-profit starvation cycle'—driven by short-term, competitive grants—is incompatible with the long-term nature of environmental monitoring and recommends a 5-year core funding model to ensure data continuity and support Canada's climate and conservation targets.

The report advocates for a shift from short-term project-based funding to long-term core funding for community-based water monitoring (CBWM) in Canada. It highlights that 100 of 167 Canadian watersheds lack sufficient data for quality scoring, creating a gap that CBWM can fill more cost-effectively than professional government monitoring. Through three case studies—the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, the Kaska Guardians, and the Clean Annapolis River Project—the document demonstrates that CBWM can achieve a return on investment exceeding 3:1 and up to 11.6:1 in some instances. The report recommends the creation of a five-year pilot project and the use of a proposed Canadian Water Agency to coordinate these efforts to improve environmental governance and climate adaptation.

The report identifies significant climate risks to Canadian infrastructure, including permafrost degradation in the North and flooding in coastal and urban areas. It recommends a whole-of-society approach combining climate-informed planning, structural changes, and natural infrastructure solutions. While federal initiatives like the Climate Lens and the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund provide a foundation, the report argues for greater investment to close an infrastructure gap estimated up to CAD 1 trillion and the adoption of more diverse sustainable finance mechanisms.

The document is a map-based fact sheet detailing the geographic, ecological, and socio-economic characteristics of the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) and the broader Winnipeg River basin (WRB) in Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota. It includes data on land cover, surficial geology, zoning policies, Indigenous presence, and drinking water advisories.

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) is characterized by a landscape dominated by forested land (76% cover) and Precambrian bedrock. The region's geology, featuring pink granodiorite, results in high water runoff toward Lake Winnipeg with low levels of nutrients and suspended sediments. Soil types are primarily clayey lacustrine, organic peat, and bedrock, with limited agricultural capacity, resulting in cropland accounting for only approximately 3% of the land cover.

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) is characterized by a mean annual discharge of 1,008 ± 294 m3/s at the Pine Falls Generating system, with peaks typically occurring in June and July. The river is a critical contributor to Lake Winnipeg, accounting for 49% of the mean monthly discharge of all rivers and streams entering the lake and providing the largest volume of water to it. Six run-of-river hydroelectric stations in the LWRB generate 583 MW of electrical capacity, representing approximately 10% of Manitoba's energy needs. Climate projections for the 2050s suggest a 6.9% increase in mean annual precipitation and a 3.3% increase in runoff, which may impact downstream nutrient loading. While water levels at most hydrometric stations remain relatively constant, Nutimik Lake shows seasonal trends.

The briefing assesses water quality and nutrient loading in the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB), identifying significant exceedances of total phosphorus and certain metals, particularly at the Pine Falls Forebay. It highlights that the Winnipeg River is a major nutrient contributor to Lake Winnipeg, with nutrient exports increasing downstream. The document also notes that climate projections suggest increased precipitation and runoff, which may further impact nutrient loading.

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) is a sparsely populated area characterized by low population density and significant seasonal population fluctuations due to cottage developments. Between 2011 and 2016, the population across six census subdivisions grew by 4%, from 11,839 to 12,292. While towns like Pinawa, Lac du Bonnet, and Powerview-Pine Falls have high occupancy rates for usual residents, rural municipalities like Alexander and Lac du Bonnet have less than half of their dwellings occupied by permanent residents. The region has a strong Indigenous presence, including the Fort Alexander First Nation/Sagkeeng Anicinabe and Métis people, who traditionally use the land and water for harvesting and spiritual activities.

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) has evolved from an ancient Indigenous travel and ceremonial route and a 17th-century fur trade corridor into a region defined by hydroelectric power, mining, and tourism. Key developments include the 1906 construction of the Pinawa dam, the establishment of the Pine Falls paper mill in 1926, and the creation of Whiteshell Provincial Park in 1961. The region's economic history is also marked by copper-nickel and lithium mining in the early 20th century and the transition from river-based transport to rail and road networks, including the Trans-Canada Highway.

The report argues that effective implementation of the SDGs in Canada requires a multi-tiered measurement approach that moves beyond national averages to identify and monitor vulnerable groups. It identifies key marginalized populations—including Indigenous Peoples, recent immigrants, and people with disabilities—and highlights the systemic data gaps that hinder targeted interventions. The authors advocate for the use of complementary community-driven data sources and investments in data interoperability, specifically through mission-oriented data ecosystems, to ensure that those 'furthest behind' are accurately captured and supported.