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This 2013 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the commercial-scale harvesting of cattail biomass in Manitoba for use as a bioenergy feedstock and a nutrient-management tool. Through trials at Pelly’s Lake and along Highway 1, the study demonstrated that existing agricultural windrowers and balers can effectively harvest cattails, though efficiency is highly dependent on soil moisture and weather. The project successfully recovered phosphorus from the biomass, highlighting the potential for improving water quality in the Lake Winnipeg basin. Key challenges included equipment plugging and the risk of machinery becoming stuck in soft wetland soils. The report concludes that while commercially viable, costs vary by site, and future success depends on optimizing harvest timing and potentially managing wetland water levels.

This case study details the lived experience of Valerie Wolbert, President of the Manitoba Chapter of People First, focusing on the intersection of intellectual disability, poverty, and systemic barriers in Canada.