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The document describes the humid continental climate of the lower Winnipeg River basin and details historical increases in river discharge. It presents climate projections for the 2050s, indicating rising temperatures, precipitation, and runoff, which may impact hydroelectric development and aquatic ecosystems.

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) economy is driven by hydroelectric generation, tourism, and limited mining, with a history of forestry and ongoing agricultural activity. Hydroelectric stations provide approximately 10% of Manitoba Hydro's power, while the Tanco Mine is the only operational mine in the region. Tourism is a critical sector, with the broader Eastman region attracting 2.223 million visitors in 2015. While forestry is currently non-operational following a 2009 mill closure, Indigenous communities are exploring new commercial opportunities. The document emphasizes that future economic expansions in mining, forestry, and tourism must be reconciled with ecological and social priorities.

The document details the health of aquatic ecosystems in the lower Winnipeg River basin, utilizing data from the Coordinated Aquatic Monitoring Program (CAMP). It examines benthic macroinvertebrates and fish populations, noting that Lac du Bonnet generally shows the best fish performance and diversity. The text highlights the influence of hydroelectric generating stations on river morphology and habitat, and identifies four species at risk in the region.

The document identifies the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) as being at high risk for the transport of aquatic invasive species (AIS) due to recreational activities. While spiny waterflea is confirmed in the LWRB, other high-concern species like zebra mussels and rusty crayfish are present in the wider Winnipeg River basin but not the lower basin. The basin is noted to have moderate suitability for zebra mussel colonization based on calcium concentrations.

The document details the land management landscape of the lower Winnipeg River basin, identifying the distribution of Crown and private lands, municipal zoning, and the specific land claims and harvesting rights of Indigenous groups including the Sagkeeng First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, and Métis people.

The paper examines Canada's pandemic response, highlighting how a strategy of virus mitigation over suppression, combined with the privatization of long-term care and a lack of workplace protections, disproportionately harmed racialized people, women, and Indigenous communities. It further critiques Canada's international conduct, specifically its hoarding of vaccine doses and opposition to waiving intellectual property rights for vaccines in the Global South.

The report highlights a significant lack of transparency in Canada's reporting of fossil fuel subsidies, particularly regarding foregone revenue. It advocates for the use of the WTO definition of subsidies and the 'revenue foregone' method to accurately quantify tax expenditures and royalty subsidies, which the authors argue are essential for informed policy-making and meeting international climate goals.

The document argues that large-scale investment in natural infrastructure lags because research often focuses on broad valuations rather than specific business cases. It proposes a five-step approach for project champions—starting with a driver, identifying a lead beneficiary, developing a pitch, establishing partnerships, and securing catalyst funding—to bridge the gap between feasibility and finance. For funders, it recommends supporting targeted research, convening beneficiaries, helping projects achieve scale, and providing dedicated predevelopment support.

The Canadian Climate Institute presents a framework of 11 indicators divided into goals (low-carbon growth, economic resilience), catalysts (technology development, adoption, trade, and infrastructure), and fundamentals (low-carbon jobs, affordable energy, inclusive resilience, clean air, and flourishing ecosystems). The report finds that while Canada has decoupled GDP from emissions nationally, progress is uneven across provinces. It highlights significant data gaps, particularly regarding climate costs, social vulnerability, and ecosystem health, and recommends cross-governmental collaboration and improved data correlation to support a just transition.

The Canadian Climate Institute identifies 11 indicators to track clean growth, categorized into goals (low-carbon growth and economic resilience), catalysts (technology development, adoption, trade, and infrastructure), and foundations (jobs, affordable energy, inclusive resilience, clean air, and ecosystems). The analysis reveals that while Canada has decoupled GDP from GHGs, progress is uneven across provinces, and significant data gaps hinder comprehensive policy tracking.

The report analyzes the gap between Canada's GDP and GHG emissions, noting that while national decoupling has occurred, significant regional disparities exist. It highlights that Canada's economy remains more carbon-intensive than other developed nations and suggests three primary pathways for achieving low-carbon growth: reducing emissions intensity, reallocating resources, and accelerating the growth of low-carbon firms.

The document analyzes Manitoba's 2018 climate accountability legislation, highlighting its use of a 'carbon savings account' with five-year cumulative emission reduction targets and an independent expert advisory council. While praising the framework's governance and the advantage of cumulative budgets over annual targets, the study notes that the absence of long-term targets and a multi-budget strategy reduces predictability and accountability for investors and policymakers.

The document examines Manitoba's 2018 climate accountability legislation, highlighting the Carbon Savings Account (CSA) and the role of the Expert Advisory Council. While praising the cumulative emissions budget approach, it notes that the lack of long-term targets and the practice of setting budgets one-at-a-time reduce predictability and accountability.

The report argues that a well-designed climate accountability framework can increase government transparency and coordination across different levels of government to meet 2030 and 2050 targets. Based on international and domestic case studies, it identifies six common elements of such frameworks and proposes a national Canadian model that balances federal leadership with subnational flexibility.

The report analyzes climate accountability frameworks—systems that break long-term greenhouse gas targets into interim milestones—using case studies from jurisdictions like the UK, Aotearoa/New Zealand, British Columbia, and Manitoba. It identifies six common elements and associated best practices, such as legislating targets, ensuring independent expert advice, and using cumulative carbon budgets. For Canada, the authors recommend a national framework with legally binding milestones set only at the national level to avoid regional burden-sharing conflicts, while encouraging subnational governments to implement their own complementary frameworks. The report emphasizes a collaborative approach where the federal government provides policy backstops and financial incentives to ensure a resilient, multi-jurisdictional response to climate change.

The Falcon Trails resort in Manitoba transitioned from basic environmental protection to a strategic business model centered on sustainability. By rebranding off-grid accommodations as "eco cabins" and utilizing Manitoba Hydro rebates for solar panels and energy efficiency, the resort leveraged its environmental efforts for competitive marketing. The business also implemented an Environmentalist-in-Residence program to further reduce its footprint through textile repurposing and mending.

Poplar River First Nation (PRFN) seeks to implement payments for ecosystem services (PES) to support the conservation of its 862,000-hectare traditional territory, Asatiwisipe Aki. By leveraging nature-based solutions, the community aims to create a forest-based economy that provides climate and biodiversity co-benefits for the community and the province of Manitoba. To facilitate this, the study provides a draft PES agreement based on international frameworks, specifically referencing guidance from the Katoomba Group regarding carbon sequestration, biodiversity habitat, and watershed protection.

The document outlines the ecological and cultural value of the Poplar River First Nation's (PRFN) traditional territory and proposes a framework for Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) to fund nature-based solutions and community economic diversification.

The report outlines the physical and economic risks Canada faces due to climate change, such as sea-level rise and the global shift away from carbon-intensive exports. It proposes a holistic approach to climate policy that integrates health, well-being, and economic competitiveness, moving beyond narrow emission targets. The document highlights existing Canadian subnational innovations in carbon pricing and coal phase-out while recommending that governments expand the scope and ambition of their climate actions to ensure long-term prosperity.

The report outlines the dual threats of physical climate impacts and global economic transitions facing Canada. It proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates health, wellness, and economic prosperity, moving beyond siloed mitigation and adaptation strategies. The document highlights existing sub-national policy successes and recommends that Canadian governments broaden their climate objectives, increase policy ambition, and leverage international leadership to ensure a resilient future.