Article – The autumn sun glances off the solar panels atop the Manitoba Hydro building as Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Hodgson takes in the view from its 22nd floor. He’s just finished addressing a packed room of energy sector representatives, Indigenous leaders, and local officials about what he calls “Manitoba’s clean energy renaissance.”
“What we’re seeing in Winnipeg is exactly the kind of community-driven innovation Canada needs,” Hodgson tells me, gesturing toward the Red River winding through the city below. “This isn’t just about hitting emissions targets on paper. It’s about creating sustainable jobs and making clean energy accessible to everyone.”
I’ve traveled to Winnipeg to witness firsthand the unveiling of the federal government’s $175 million investment in the Manitoba Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership aiming to transform how the province generates and consumes energy. The announcement comes as communities across the prairies grapple with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns—from summer droughts to spring flooding—that scientists have linked to climate change.
For Melissa Cardinal, an energy policy analyst with Manitoba Hydro who attended the minister’s presentation, the announcement represents long-awaited federal recognition of the province’s renewable potential.
“Manitoba has been quietly leading in hydroelectric power for decades,” Cardinal explains as we chat over coffee in the building’s atrium. “But what’s different now is the integration of multiple clean technologies and the focus on community ownership models. That’s where this funding becomes transformative.”
The initiative will distribute funds across three main streams: infrastructure modernization, Indigenous clean energy partnerships, and workforce development programs. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada data, Manitoba currently derives approximately 97 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydroelectric, but significant challenges remain in areas like transportation and heating.
Near the edge of the room, I notice Robert Beardy, an elder from Norway House Cree Nation and board member of the newly formed Indigenous Clean Energy Network of Manitoba. When I approach him for his perspective, his response is measured.
“We’ve heard big promises before,” Beardy tells me, his voice carrying the weight of experience. “What matters is that our communities have genuine decision-making authority in these projects. True partnership means shared ownership and shared benefits, not just consultation after plans are already made.”
Beardy’s network has proposed several community-owned solar and biomass projects that would provide both energy sovereignty and economic opportunities for northern communities. Under the new initiative, $60 million has been specifically allocated for Indigenous-led projects—a step Beardy calls “promising, but not sufficient.”
The economic implications extend beyond renewable electricity. Minister Hodgson’s announcement emphasized job creation, projecting over 3,200 new positions in Manitoba’s clean energy sector over the next five years. These range from construction and installation work to high-skilled engineering and digital management roles.
At True North Energy Skills Center in Winnipeg’s North End, preparations are already underway to train workers for these emerging opportunities. The center will receive $15 million from the initiative to expand its clean energy training programs, with dedicated supports for women, Indigenous learners, and newcomers to Canada.
“We’re designing pathways, not just programs,” explains Aisha Washington, the center’s executive director, when I visit the next day. Their warehouse-turned-training-facility buzzes with activity as apprentices practice installing solar arrays on a mock rooftop structure. “Many of our students come from industries in transition. A worker with oil and gas experience already has transferable skills—we help bridge the knowledge gap.”
Washington introduces me to Daniel Kowalchuk, a 42-year-old former oil field worker now six months into the center’s renewable energy technician program.
“I’ve got three kids, and I want them to have a livable planet,” Kowalchuk says, adjusting his safety harness. “But I also need to put food on the table. This program means I don’t have to choose between my family’s immediate needs and their future.”
The initiative hasn’t been without criticism. Some environmental groups argue the funding doesn’t go far enough, while opposition MPs have questioned whether the economic projections are realistic given current market conditions.
When I raise these concerns with Minister Hodgson during our interview, he acknowledges the challenges.
“Transitions are never easy or perfect,” he says. “But what we’re building in Manitoba is a model for how we can make clean energy work for everyone—rural communities, urban centers, Indigenous nations. The alternative—continuing with business as usual—simply isn’t viable.”
The minister’s comments reflect findings from the Prairie Climate Centre at the University of Winnipeg, which projects that without significant emissions reductions, Manitoba could see average temperature increases of 6-8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, threatening agriculture, infrastructure, and human health.
As evening falls over Winnipeg, I meet with Sarah Dueck, a local environmental engineer who has been developing community-owned district energy systems. We walk along the riverfront as she points out potential sites for small-scale renewable projects.
“What excites me about this initiative is that it recognizes energy as a social issue, not just a technical one,” Dueck says. “Who owns the infrastructure? Who benefits? Who decides? These questions matter just as much as the megawatts generated.”
Dueck believes Winnipeg could become a template for mid-sized Canadian cities transitioning to clean energy systems that prioritize local needs. She’s especially hopeful about the $30 million allocated for energy poverty reduction programs that will help low-income households access energy-efficient retrofits.
As I prepare to leave Manitoba the next morning, I reflect on the contrast between grand policy announcements and the ground-level realities of energy transition. The Clean Energy Initiative represents real money and real opportunities, but its success will ultimately depend on whether it can deliver meaningful change to the communities it aims to serve.
For now, the mood in Winnipeg is one of cautious optimism—a recognition that while the path to clean energy isn’t without obstacles, it offers a way forward that many are eager to travel.
