The 2008 budget has several environmental initiatives:

Watch for full coverage tonight on CTV News at 6 p.m.

  • Exporting clean, renewable hydro power, expected to produce $5.5 billion over the next 10 years.
  • Implementing new phosphorus restrictions for lawns and new standards for nitrogen and phosphorus for large waste-water treatment facilities, and introducing new limits for smaller systems and lagoons.
  • Introducing new rules around the use of septic disposal and providing more resources for monitoring and inspections, particularly north of Winnipeg and in cottage country.
  • Providing $5.3 million for conservation districts.
  • Renewing the agreement with Ducks Unlimited for the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre.
  • Increasing the contribution to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to $400,000 this year.
  • Supporting wetlands protection.
  • Introducing a water conservation program to encourage purchases of water-saving devices
  • Committing to a multi-year funding plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting sustainable farm practices, trucking technologies, active transport initiatives and green heating technologies.