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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 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 author argues that the Supreme Court of Canada's focus on federal-provincial jurisdiction in its carbon price review erased critical Indigenous perspectives on sovereignty and climate justice. While the Court acknowledged that Indigenous peoples face disproportionate climate impacts, it failed to address arguments that Canada is not merely a bi-juridical state of federal and provincial powers, but one that must respect Indigenous laws and nation-to-nation relationships for reconciliation.

Ontario phased out coal-fired electricity by 2014, initially lacking a just transition plan for the 770 affected workers across four plants. Following local advocacy, the Atikokan and Thunder Bay stations were converted to 100% biomass to preserve jobs and support the forest products sector. While the Atikokan Generating Station became the largest biomass plant in North America, the Thunder Bay station closed in 2018 due to low energy demand and equipment corrosion. The document highlights that while conversion provided short-term economic stability and research opportunities, the lack of preemptive planning and failure to account for long-term energy demand posed significant challenges.

The report analyzes perspectives from 48 Canadian civil society organizations on the just transition. It finds a broad consensus on the need for employment security, 'good jobs', and equity for marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous Peoples. The document argues that while Canada has a high capacity for transition, there are significant political gaps, including a lack of institutionalized tripartite processes and the influence of corporate interests. It recommends the implementation of a Just Transition Act, the end of fossil fuel subsidies, and increased support for municipal and Indigenous-led projects. Civil society is positioned as a vital complement to official processes through research, capacity building, and public awareness campaigns.

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 document examines Canada's approach to the hydrogen economy, specifically the tension between supporting 'blue hydrogen' (fossil fuel-based with carbon capture) and 'green hydrogen' (renewable-based). It argues that blue hydrogen is less environmentally effective due to methane leaks and high costs of carbon capture and storage (CCS), and is likely to be out-competed by green hydrogen by 2030. The author contends that subsidies for blue hydrogen constitute fossil fuel subsidies that undermine Canada's climate goals and net-zero 2050 target, recommending strict environmental and cost criteria for any public funding.

The IISD Experimental Lakes Area produced a six-minute animated video in Ojibwe to communicate the risks of mercury poisoning in freshwater fish to First Nations communities in Canada. The project involved collaborating with language experts and Elders from the Nigigoonsiminikaaning (Red Gut) and Couchiching First Nations to develop new terms for scientific concepts, such as 'liquid metal that shines' for mercury. The initiative aims to make science accessible, support Ojibwe language revitalization, and eventually integrate these findings into Canadian school curricula through a free lesson plan.

The report identifies a resilient and multifaceted online ecosystem for Canadian right-wing extremists (RWEs), noting that while mainstream platform enforcement (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) removes some content, new channels quickly emerge. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a significant driver of activity, with 38.8% of coded messages relating to the pandemic, often focusing on conspiracy theories and anti-government sentiment. Canadian RWEs exhibit a strong internationalist outlook, mentioning the US more than Canada. While overt hate speech is a small proportion of total activity on mainstream sites, fringe platforms like 4chan and Telegram host more explicit racism, neo-Nazi imagery, and accelerationist content, including instructional material for violence. The report recommends government regulation of platforms, algorithmic auditing, and international coordination on RWE designations.

The report finds that inland flooding represents the highest annual cost of climate change for Canadian infrastructure, with mid-range estimates between $5 billion and $8 billion per year. Proactive adaptation can significantly reduce costs for roads, rail, and the electrical grid, though it is less effective for permafrost thaw and inland flooding. The analysis highlights that while total costs are often concentrated in high-population areas like Ontario, specific geographic risks such as permafrost thaw disproportionately affect the three territories.

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 author contends that climate, growth, and social goals are inseparable, warning that neglecting any of these dimensions undermines Canada's long-term competitiveness. The text highlights the vulnerability of high-emission provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, the growth potential of clean technology exports, and the disproportionate impact of climate change on low-income populations and Indigenous reserves. It concludes that recovery policies should move beyond a return to the status quo by addressing the interlinked nature of economic and social prosperity.

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.