Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, the Prime Minister's Special Advisor for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Reg Helwer, Manitoba's Minister of Central Services, and Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Jay Grewal announced funding for the Birtle Transmission Line linking Saskatchewan to Manitoba's green, renewable energy.
This project will help Manitoba Hydro build a 230-kilovolt transmission line from Birtle South Station in the Municipality of Prairie View to the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border 46 kilometres north-west. Once completed, the new line will allow up to 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity, which is currently surplus to the needs of Manitobans, to flow from the Manitoba Hydro power grid to the SaskPower power grid.
Increasing Manitoba's interconnection to Western Canada's power distribution grid will establish greater stability for energy supply, while keeping energy rates affordable for the province. Manitoba's clean hydroelectricity is a vital element of Saskatchewan's efforts to reduce cumulative greenhouse gas emissions in that province.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $18.7 million, and the Government of Manitoba is contributing more than $42 million, in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is proud to be working with Manitoba to support projects that create jobs and improve people's lives across the province. The Birtle Transmission Line will provide the region with reliable and greener energy that will help protect our environment while laying the groundwork for clean economic growth."
The Honourable Jim Carr, the Prime Minister's Special Advisor for the Prairies and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The Province of Manitoba has one of the cleanest electricity grids in Canada and the world with over 99 per cent of our electricity generated from clean, renewable sources. The Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan is good not only for Manitoba, but for Canada and globally. The Birtle transmission line builds on this plan and our green competitive leadership roles, as it generates new jobs for Manitobans and gives us a clean, green marketing advantage in attracting new investment and promoting our Manitoba brand."
The Honourable Reg Helwer, Manitoba's Minister of Central Services
"Today's announcement is a great example of co-operation between the provincial and federal governments as we move towards a greener electricity system for all Canadians. We are very pleased that Manitoba Hydro's Birtle Transmission Project is among the first projects to receive funding under the Canada Infrastructure Program, and we would like to thank both levels of governments for recognizing the importance of the project as we strengthen ties with our neighbours in Saskatchewan."
Jay Grewal, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro
Quick facts
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
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$26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
