We are excited to invite you to this week's Manitoba Stronger Together Tuesday Zoom Meeting, where we will recap the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) Information Session hosted by MST in Stonewall, Manitoba on Saturday, September 21, 2024. It was an exhilarating event, and we can't wait to share all the highlights with you!
Click on the Image above to join the Zoom Meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 pm CST
Our Logo ... Want to Know More? Scroll to the Bottom of this page!
An Event to Remember
The Stonewall session was an incredible success, with a packed house of approximately 350 attendees. The event kicked off exactly on time with an introduction by the one and only Shadoe Davis, followed by a short but impactful presentation by Anthony Madden, one of the event coordinators. The room was buzzing with anticipation as Ken Drysdale took the stage to deliver a detailed and eye-opening report on the WMR Plan 20-50.
Ken’s presentation, lasting about 1.5 hours, covered crucial topics such as the Planning Act, the Operational Rules of the WMR, and other related subjects. The crowd was fully engaged throughout, and the session culminated in an enlightening 45-minute Q&A, also hosted by Shadoe Davis. The energy in the room was palpable, and the Q&A provided some truly insightful moments.
We were also honoured to have four council members from the region in attendance, further demonstrating the significance of the event.
What’s Next?
The full presentation and a complete video of the event will soon be available on the MST website and our Rumble page, so be sure to check them out if you couldn’t attend.
Plus, we have more exciting sessions lined up:
Selkirk, Manitoba on October 5, 2024
Niverville, Manitoba on October 12, 2024
Stay tuned for additional announcements about future sessions as we continue to explore the vital issues affecting our region.
How to Join
👉 Zoom Link: is below in the red box, and on our website main page
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay informed and engaged. The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region affects us all, and we encourage you to join the discussion as we delve deeper into the WMR Plan 20-50. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Let's come together as a community to explore the issues that matter most to us and chart a path forward toward a stronger, more prosperous Canada. See you there!
This Weeks "Jam Packed" Agenda.
Intro and Welcome to the MST Zoom Meeting (1 min)
The meeting has a 60 minute time length
We only Video Record Guest Presentation
Respectful atmosphere at all times
Guest speakers represent their own perspective, not necessarily the opinion os MST
We provide an opportunity for diverse opinions
Our meetings are intended to inform and to create community
Welcome (New Members) (1 min)
Social Media Reminders
Video from Last Weeks Zoom is now online on our Video page: https://www.manitobastrongertogether.ca/video
New Video About MST Conference: https://rumble.com/c/ManitobaStrongerTogether
Video From Stonewall Info: https://rumble.com/c/ManitobaStrongerTogether
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.drysdale
Twitter Feed: @MBStronger
Tik Tok: mbstrongertogether
Post Mortem: Stonewall Information Session (30 min)
Discussion of Format, Feedback from the members who attended.
Upcoming WMR Information Sessions,
October 5, 2024: Selkirk
October 12, 2024, Niverville
More To come, see our email last week to arrange for us to come to your community
MST WMR 20-50 webpage: https://www.manitobastrongertogether.ca/wmr20-50
Content of WMR Information sessions
History
The Planning Act
Active Transportation Act
Plan 20-50
Rules and Bylaws of the WMR
What is a 15 minute City?
Review of the: James Bezan MP Interlake having a Town Hall in Warren Manitoba Thursday September 12, 2024 (10 Mins)
Upcoming Events for this Week (5 Min)
NCI Hearings Vancouver "Are Your Children Safe" October 17, 18, 19, 2024
Call for witnesses now open https://nationalcitizensinquiry.ca/testify/
Schedule of all events is located at the bottom of the website main page
I have a limited number of copies of Volumes 1 & 2 of the NCI Report available for sale left over from the conference, $60.00 including GST for the set. That is $5 off retail price, I will be avaialable to autograph them as well.
Wins of the Week (5 mins)
#1 Pick of the week https://icandecide.org/press-release/breaking-news-university-of-california-allows-religious-exemptions-on-the-heels-of-two-successful-ican-backed-lawsuits/
In January and February 2024, ICAN’s attorneys—led by Aaron Siri, who also happens to be an alumnus of UC Berkeley Law School—filed two successful lawsuits on behalf of students at University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
In the UC Davis case, the school was going to expel an online student who had already attended two of the four required in-person days, unless she took various vaccines against her religious beliefs.
In the UCLA case, the school was going to expel a graduate student after she already attended classes on campus for two semesters without the required vaccines—who was also an employee of the school, working on the campus—unless she received various vaccines against her religious beliefs.
ICAN is pleased to announce that, as of July 23, 2024, the University of California has changed its vaccination policy (applicable to all 295,000+ UC students) to add a religious exemption.
#2 Pick of the week https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/lytle-premier-smith-on-the-right-track-with-sex-ed-opt-in/57947
The issue of opting in versus opting out is being discussed in the public forum again. Our premier, to my delight, is suggesting that parents must opt their children into sex education classes. No longer will kids be forced to sit through the ideologies of someone other than their parents unless the parents opt their children into the program.
The argument against this change in procedure is that, by not opting in, many kids will miss necessary information about human sexuality. In an age of overwhelming sexualization, this argument is weak and it must be recognized that the sex education information delivered to the average Alberta classroom is tinctured by the ideological bent of the person delivering the education.
It is, therefore, entirely appropriate for parents and students to assess the pedagogic ideology of the teacher and decide whether the hours invested in the class will earn an educational return. On libertarian principles — sex education should not be coerced — I applaud the opt-in option.
#3 Pick of the week https://thecanadianindependent.substack.com/p/federal-employee-placed-on-unpaid
The Social Security Tribunal of Canada (General Division) has granted an appeal by Andre Givogue, a federal government employee who works remotely for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He sought Employment Insurance (EI) benefits after being suspended from his job without pay for alleged non-compliance with his employer’s vaccination policy. The decision, issued by Tribunal Member Marisa Victor, allows Givogue to receive EI benefits despite earlier rejections by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission.
Givogue’s suspension was initially categorized as misconduct, which would have disqualified him from receiving EI benefits. His employer suspended him for not complying with its COVID-19 vaccination policy, which required employees to attest to their vaccination status or obtain an exemption. Givogue had applied for an exemption, but it was denied just three days before his suspension.
General Discussion, Ken Calls on You. (8 min)
THIS WEEKS READ
What Does Manitoba Actually Contribute to C02 in the World?
How Much?
In order to understand what Manitoba contributes to the World production of C02, you have to take into account not only what amount of C02 human activites in Manitoba contribute to the Global C02, but you also have take into account Manitoba's abibilty to absorb C02, what follow may shock you.
Overinflated Impact of Manitoba Development on Climate Change
The WMR Plan 20-50 places considerable emphasis on reducing the region's carbon footprint and addressing climate change. While environmental stewardship is undeniably important, the plan overstates the impact that development in Manitoba can have on global climate change. Manitoba, with its relatively small population and industrial base, is not a major contributor to global emissions. The plan’s focus on aggressive environmental measures may lead to unnecessary restrictions and costs for local businesses and residents, without yielding significant global environmental benefits. A more balanced approach would prioritize practical, locally appropriate environmental initiatives over broad, potentially burdensome policies that may have little real impact.
Although there has been no figures provided in the WMR 20-50 report which estimates the economic impact that the plan will have on Manitoba's economy, it is illustrative to discuss the global impact of Manitoba's economy on the issue of Climate Change as Climate Change is one of the recurring issues and reasons noted in the report for the massive changes being proposed in the 20-50 report.
It would be interesting to review the impact of the Manitoba Economy on Global Carbon Emissions.
To estimate Manitoba's contribution to global carbon emissions, we need to consider Manitoba's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and compare them to global emissions. Here’s how we can approach this:
Manitoba’s total GHG emissions are typically reported in megatonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2e). According to the most recent data:
2021 Manitoba GHG Emissions: Approximately 21.3 Mt CO2e (as per Environment and Climate Change Canada).
Global GHG emissions are also reported in CO2 equivalents. For context:
Global GHG Emissions (2021): Approximately 50,000 Mt CO2e (according to the Global Carbon Project and other sources).
Manitoba contributes approximately 0.0426% to global carbon emissions.
This does not take into account Manitoba's incredible contribution to absorbing and mitigating climate change through our vast areas of wilderness expanse, forests, grasslands and lakes.
Manitoba is known for its vast natural landscapes, including forests, wetlands, lakes, and tundra. The province's land use is predominantly natural and undeveloped:
Estimates of Natural Undeveloped Areas: Around 80-90% of Manitoba's total area remains as natural or semi-natural landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and other undeveloped areas.
The natural undeveloped areas of Manitoba are approximately 1,190 times larger than the total area of the City of Winnipeg. This comparison underscores the vastness of Manitoba's natural landscapes compared to its urban center, highlighting the province's rich natural resources and the relatively small footprint of its largest city.
The previous calculation of Manitoba's contribution to the global carbon footprint, which estimated Manitoba's emissions as a percentage of global emissions, does not take into account the offsetting effects of the province's vast natural areas. These natural landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems, play a significant role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, effectively mitigating some of the man-made carbon emissions.
The Role of Natural Areas in Carbon Sequestration
Forests:
Manitoba’s forests cover a substantial portion of the province and are a critical carbon sink. Forests absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, storing carbon in biomass (trees and plants) and soil.
Boreal forests, which dominate northern Manitoba, are particularly important for carbon sequestration.
Wetlands:
Wetlands are another significant carbon sink, capturing and storing carbon in plant matter and soil. They also help regulate local climates and water cycles, which indirectly affect carbon dynamics.
Peatlands:
Manitoba has extensive peatlands, which are among the most effective carbon sinks. Peatlands store carbon in accumulated organic matter over thousands of years, making them crucial in offsetting carbon emissions.
Net Carbon Balance Consideration
CO2 Absorption Calculations:
1. Forests
Area: 263,000 km² = 26,300,000 hectares.
CO2 Sequestration Rate: Boreal forests absorb 300 tonnes of CO2 per km² per year (equivalent to 3 tonnes of CO2 per hectare).
Total CO2 Absorption:
263,000 km² × 300 tonnes/km² = 78.9 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
2. Grasslands
Area: 70,000 km² = 7,000,000 hectares.
CO2 Sequestration Rate: Grasslands sequester 1-5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year (we use an average of 3 tonnes/hectare).
Total CO2 Absorption:
7,000,000 hectares × 3 tonnes/hectare = 21 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
3. Croplands
Area: 120,000 km² = 12,000,000 hectares.
CO2 Sequestration Rate: Croplands sequester 0.5-2 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year (we use an average of 1 tonne/hectare).
Total CO2 Absorption:
12,000,000 hectares × 1 tonne/hectare = 12 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
4. Wetlands/Marshlands
Area: 90,000 km² = 9,000,000 hectares.
CO2 Sequestration Rate: Wetlands typically sequester 3-5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year (average 4 tonnes/hectare).
Total CO2 Absorption:
9,000,000 hectares × 4 tonnes/hectare = 36 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
5. Lakes
Area: 94,000 km² = 9,400,000 hectares.
CO2 Sequestration Rate: Lakes have minimal net sequestration due to methane emissions, so we assume 0 tonnes for simplicity.
6. Tundra/Other Northern Lands
Area: 50,000 km² = 5,000,000 hectares.
CO2 Sequestration Rate: Tundra sequesters up to 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year.
Total CO2 Absorption:
5,000,000 hectares × 0.5 tonnes/hectare = 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
Total CO2 Absorption Estimate
Summing the CO2 absorption:
Forests: 78.9 million tonnes
Grasslands: 21 million tonnes
Croplands: 12 million tonnes
Wetlands: 36 million tonnes
Tundra: 2.5 million tonnes
Grand Total: 150.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually is processed by Manitoba lands, lakes, forests, parkland etc.
Comparison to Emissions:
Manitoba emits about 20 million tonnes of CO2 annually. With natural and agricultural lands sequestering approximately 150.4 million tonnes, Manitoba has a net carbon sink capacity significantly exceeding its emissions, suggesting a strong potential to be carbon negative.
Please join on time, we start and finish on time.
Usually I am in the chat ten minutes before the start of the meeting!
Information for First Timers!
Unite and Ignite: Join us for our Engaging Tuesday Evening Gathering!
At Manitoba Stronger Together, we deeply value our members' time and commitment to our cause. As a testament to this respect, we have made a dedicated effort to keep our weekly Tuesday evening meetings strictly to 60 minutes.
We understand the importance of balancing civic engagement with other responsibilities in our members' lives. By efficiently utilizing this time, we ensure that each minute spent in the meeting is productive, purposeful, and impactful. Our commitment to maintaining a concise and engaging gathering exemplifies our dedication to empowering our community without imposing unnecessary burdens on our valued members. Together, we maximize the value of each moment, propelling our mission forward and creating a united front for a stronger and prosperous Manitoba.
What You Can Expect at Our Meetings?
1. Warm Welcomes and Introductions:
Our meetings begin with warm smiles and enthusiastic introductions, as new faces join familiar ones. The spirit of camaraderie and shared purpose fills the air, reminding us of the power of coming together as one.
2. Update on Progress:
The leadership team shares the latest developments within our organization. We are elated to report significant growth in our membership numbers, reaffirming our belief in the importance of responsible governance and community empowerment.
3. A Dynamic Guest Speaker:
Each evening we welcome a special guest speaker who speaks to our membership about topics that are of special interest. Their expertise sheds light on critical issues affecting our province, urging us to keep striving for a better tomorrow.
Do you know someone who would be a great guest speaker? Email us with the name and contact information.
4. Open Dialogue and Discussion:
One of the highlights of the evening is the lively and engaging discussion that follows the guest presentation. Members actively share their insights, opinions, and ideas on pressing subjects that demand our attention. Through respectful dialogue, we reinforce the importance of transparent communication and active civic participation. Remember our 60 minute Deadline! If you cannot speak this week, there is always next, and you can contact us by email through the website.
5. Building Solidarity:
Throughout these meetings, the sense of solidarity is encouraged, fuelling our commitment to fostering a united Manitoba. We discovered that, like the bison herds that once roamed freely, our collective strength lies in standing together, unyielding in the face of challenges.
6. Embracing the Road Ahead:
With each meeting you will feel your spirit soar with the knowledge that we are on the right path. Together, we are building a movement that empowers citizens and redefines the political landscape. The journey may be challenging, but we stand unwavering, ready to create a brighter future for our beloved province.
Join Us Next Tuesday, and every Tuesday:
We extend a heartfelt invitation to all citizens who share our vision of responsible governance, community empowerment, and unity. Our Tuesday regular meetings are more than just gatherings; they are catalysts for positive change.
Exciting news at Manitoba Stronger Together!
We have recently added a dynamic "Schedule of Events" section on our homepage (bottom of page), where you can conveniently review and stay updated on our upcoming guest speakers and other important gatherings. This schedule serves as your go-to resource for planning your engagement with our community.
While we are diligently working on optimizing the schedule for mobile devices, we encourage you to view it on a desktop or tablet for the best experience.
Together, we look forward to exploring a multitude of impactful events that unite us in our mission for responsible governance and community empowerment. Mark your calendars, and let's embark on this journey together!
We can also use this schedule to update members on upcoming events that our membership may be participating in.
What Our Logo Means
The logo for Manitoba Stronger Together incorporates elements that symbolize unity, community, and the strength of the bison.
Bison Icon: Is a silhouette of a stylized representation of a bison, symbolizing strength, resilience, and unity. The bison is depicted in a side stance, representing progress and moving together as a community.
The vertical stripes: represent that the movement includes all people from all walks of life, all beliefs and all political affiliations.
The Horizontal Connecting Lines: across the bison represent the connections and interdependence of community members, emphasizing the concept of being stronger together.
Blue Tones: The blue in the logo design represents growth, harmony, and the natural beauty of Manitoba's landscapes.
Dynamic Font: We choose a strong and modern bold font for the organization's name "Manitoba Stronger Together" to convey a sense of confidence and forward-thinking.
Let us continue to unite, ignite our passions, and work towards building a stronger and united Manitoba. Together, we will shape the future we want and deserve.
Keep an eye out for our next meeting announcement, and let us walk this transformative journey as one!
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