EARTH DAY 2024
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 • SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS
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Mayor Gilling- ham states that funding is a sig- nificant challenge to Winnipeg’s becoming more environmentally friendly. He points to the proposed
goals form the document’s vision, objectives, and policy direction, which is currently in the implementation and measurement phases. “In that master plan, we have a goal of achieving a net zero status by the year 2050. We also have the community energy investment roadmap that was adopted by council in 2022. It will also provide us with a series of actions and policies that will help us achieve that goal. And we are also working on a program to replace our old combined sewer and storm drains with new pipes so that it ultimately will help improve the health of our rivers and lakes as well.”
To address residential transportation emissions and a personal campaign priority, Mayor Gillingham explains that the city is increasing sustainable mobility methods such as walking and biking and encouraging commuters to use public transit. He says that in 2023, the active transportation budget was 300% more than the previ- ous year. Examples include the new active transportation pathway in northwest Winnipeg and the incorporation of active transportation in the infrastructure of road renewal projects, such as the addition of an active transportation path along Empress Street. “Over the last several years, we have made major investments in active transportation pathways, and that really encourages people to walk or to cycle or to use some means other than a car to get out and get active,” he explains. “Our transit master plan is a whole brand new route network that will be transformational. It’s going from our current system to a spine and feeder bus route system to encour- age more people to make transit a choice.” This Earth Day, Mayor Gillingham will choose active trans- portation and encourage others to do the same.
North End Sewage Treatment Plant up- grade, projected to cost $2 billion, making it ‘the most complex and expen- sive project in the city’s 150- year history.’ The ambitious project is important for sev- eral reasons, says Gillingham, not the least of which are related to protecting the environment and the quality of nearby lakes and rivers. “It is important so that the city can meet our environmental licensing re- quirements in the province of Manitoba in the Save Lake Winnipeg act to reduce our nutrient loading as a city to the rivers and Lake Winnipeg. It’s also very important so that we can accommodate the growth of the city.” Winnipeg’s climate actions are guided, explains Mayor Gillingham, by documents such as OurWin- nipeg 2045, the city’s 25-year strategic growth and de- velopment plan. Six localized sustainable development
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“Rain or shine, I’ll be riding my bike to work that day. I try to ride as often as I can,” he says. “I have a meeting that afternoon to discuss environmental policy, so it’s very fitting and timely. I encourage others to either carpool, ride the bus, walk, bike that day, to and from work or to their appointments if possible.”
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Over the last several years, we have made major investments in active transportation pathways, and that really encourages people to walk or to cycle or to use some means other than a car to get out and get active.”
Celebrate and learn this Earth Day at FortWhyte Alive!
Join us for a day of nature-based presenters, sessions, and workshops designed to help you learn something new about our planet and how you can help protect it. $5 reduced admission | fortwhyte.org/earthday
— Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg
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