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This week, the Manitoba government announced what they claim is a significant move toward cleaning up Lake Winnipeg.

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The government established new nutrient targets that they say will protect Manitoba’s lakes and rivers for future generations. Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, described the announcement as a major step forward in water quality protection for Manitobans.

The regulation, which sets the first formal nutrient reduction target for Lake Winnipeg and its tributaries, aims to improve water quality in Manitoba. According to Schmidt, these nutrient targets will help guide future nutrient reduction activities, establish priorities, and provide a measurable benchmark for progress.

But will these measures lead to change? Setting limits and targets sounds good in a press release, but without enforcement, they amount to little more than a photo opportunity. The truth is, Manitoba has been down this road before, and the outcomes have not been encouraging. Requirements and deadlines have been put in place only to be ignored or not enforced.

Take for example the City of Winnipeg’s combined sewer issue and the North End Treatment plant. These have both been issues of grave concern for years, with deadlines being put in place. Both parties are equally culpable when it comes to holding the City of Winnipeg accountable for its environmental responsibilities.

It was more than 15 years ago, that the Clean........

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