This NDP government is no friend of Manitoba’s Environment: Gerrard 

 Winnipeg – Liberal Leader and MLA for River Heights, Jon Gerrard today called Premier Selinger’s environmental policy all talk and no action.  Gerrard highlighted the NDP’s recent 21% funding cut to the Environmental Stewardship Department as well as a poor record on the protection of Manitoba wild lands.

 “I asked the Premier today why he chose to cut funding to environmental stewardship programming by 21% instead of not reducing the size of his bloated cabinet,” said Gerrard.  “This government is continually struggling to convince Manitobans that they are environmentally minded, but in reality they have shown the complete opposite.  Due to their weak financial management they are now in a massive deficit position and scrambling to cut costs.  Sadly environmental protection is low on the NDP priority list so is one of the first portfolios to be cut.”

 Gerrard cited the following NDP cuts to environmental funding in the 2010-2011 budget:

• Regional conservation operations cut by 3%
• Minor capital projects cut by 8%
• $1.4 million less for sustainable development education
• $3 million less for environmental stewardship (21% reduction in funding)

 Gerrard also noted the NDP’s poor track record on managing provincial parks.   “The NDP have not indicated that they are willing to create development plans for our parks.  We have multiple commercial developments happening in our most pristine areas with no real guiding documents or policies in place.  Without these plans, the NDP have no basis for calling themselves an environmental protector.”

 The Liberal Leader also called on the Premier to make a firm commitment to ensure that the new Waverly West housing development will be heated by geothermal energy.

-30- 

For more information, please contact: Michelle Nyhof, Communications Officer Manitoba Liberal Caucus at (204) 771-2513 or michelle.nyhof@leg.gov.mb.ca