Latest news with #MikeMoyes
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Winnipeg mayor disappointed in Manitoba's decision to deny ground squirrel control plan
Winnipeg's mayor said he's disappointed in the Manitoba government's decision to deny the city's plan to use a sulfur gas pesticide to control ground squirrel populations. 'I think this delays our efforts and the need to control the population so we can fix our fields,' he said on Monday. The city has been planning to eradicate ground squirrels from athletic fields using a pesticide method known as the 'Giant Destroyer.' The program was supposed to begin last month. However, it was put on pause while the province made a decision on Winnipeg's pesticide-use permit, which it has since rejected. Following this decision, Gillingham said the city is continuing to look at options to solve the issue of ground squirrels damaging athletic fields. 'We have to make sure that our soccer, baseball, football fields and diamonds are in good shape for public use,' he said. 'These are city assets for the public.' Gillingham added that ground squirrels are making it dangerous for people to use these facilities, and he doesn't want the condition of the city's fields to cause any injuries. In a statement, Environment Minister Mike Moyes said the province's decision was informed by consultations with health, environment and wildlife experts. He added the Department of Environment and Climate Change received nearly 6,300 submissions expressing concern about the plan. 'The province is open to considering alternative control methods that demonstrate a balanced approach—addressing both operational needs and the environmental values expressed by the public,' the statement said. 'Approval will be based on proposals that reflect this balance and show a commitment to responsible pest management.' Animal advocates pleased with decision Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy with Animal Justice, said the province's decision is a big win for animals. 'Not only did they do the right thing here and they've prevented really unnecessary suffering, but they also looked at the law and they looked at the science and saw that there actually are more humane alternatives that can be used here,' she said. Mitchell described the Giant Destroyer as 'gas bombs,' explaining it causes animals to suffer slow deaths that can take up to an hour. She suggests that instead of the Giant Destroyer, Winnipeg should look at habitat measures or live trapping and removing the animals. 'Ultimately what it comes down to is the city should be consulting with experts on this topic and making a science-based plan,' she said. 'The plan that they had put forward was not science-based at all.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Winnipeg's ground squirrels get new lease on life: Sulfur gas ruled out as control measure
The City of Winnipeg has lost its bid to use a controversial pesticide to kill burrowing ground squirrels that staff say have created a hazard on a number of athletic fields. The provincial government rejected the city's application for a permit to use a sulfur gas product called "The Giant Destroyer" to kill the rodents. Their burrows create holes in the ground that can injure people and pets. "I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans," Mike Moyes, provincial environment and climate change minister, wrote in a letter to the city on Thursday. "I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access … I hope the city will take the necessary steps to find a resolution that ensures our parks remain both accessible and safe for all this summer." Left unchecked, the burrows created by the squirrels are a danger to people and animals. The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed while awaiting a provincial permit. In a statement on Friday, the city said the province had denied its application after hearing from "a high volume" of people who were concerned with the pesticide strategy. The province said it also thought the city hadn't given adequately considered "alternative methods" for managing the squirrels. A city spokesperson expressed disappointment in the decision. "We do not have any other feasible options," read an email to CBC News. "As also mentioned, the public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control." The Winnipeg Humane Society opposed the use of sulfur gas over concern the squirrels would die slowly. "What we understand is that this type of sulfur bomb does not necessarily result in instantaneous death for the animal, so that could mean suffering as they die a slow and painful death for anywhere up to an hour. And obviously that's not anything that anyone wants to see," Krista Boryskavich, an animal advocacy lawyer with the society, told CBC News on Saturday. "We've been working really hard to try and get a different approach to managing ground squirrels that is more humane and ethical, and that doesn't result in prolonged distress and suffering for animals, so this decision is certainly a win in that regard." The city had planned to fill the holes with sand after the animals were killed to prevent any animals including dogs or coyotes from eating an affected rodent that had escaped a hole before it died. The city's statement on Friday did not detail its next steps.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Winnipeg's ground squirrels get new lease on life: Sulfur gas ruled out as control measure
Social Sharing The City of Winnipeg has lost its bid to use a controversial pesticide to kill burrowing ground squirrels that staff say have created a hazard on a number of athletic fields. The provincial government rejected the city's application for a permit to use a sulfur gas product called "The Giant Destroyer" to kill the rodents. Their burrows create holes in the ground that can injure people and pets. "I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans," Mike Moyes, provincial environment and climate change minister, wrote in a letter to the city on Thursday. "I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access … I hope the city will take the necessary steps to find a resolution that ensures our parks remain both accessible and safe for all this summer." Left unchecked, the burrows created by the squirrels are a danger to people and animals. The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed while awaiting a provincial permit. In a statement on Friday, the city said the province had denied its application after hearing from "a high volume" of people who were concerned with the pesticide strategy. The province said it also thought the city hadn't given adequately considered "alternative methods" for managing the squirrels. A city spokesperson expressed disappointment in the decision. "We do not have any other feasible options," read an email to CBC News. "As also mentioned, the public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control." Sulphur gas to be used for ground squirrel control 1 month ago Duration 2:06 The Winnipeg Humane Society opposed the use of sulfur gas over concern the squirrels would die slowly. "What we understand is that this type of sulfur bomb does not necessarily result in instantaneous death for the animal, so that could mean suffering as they die a slow and painful death for anywhere up to an hour. And obviously that's not anything that anyone wants to see," Krista Boryskavich, an animal advocacy lawyer with the society, told CBC News on Saturday. "We've been working really hard to try and get a different approach to managing ground squirrels that is more humane and ethical, and that doesn't result in prolonged distress and suffering for animals, so this decision is certainly a win in that regard." The city had planned to fill the holes with sand after the animals were killed to prevent any animals including dogs or coyotes from eating an affected rodent that had escaped a hole before it died. The city's statement on Friday did not detail its next steps.
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba announces $540K program for communities to stop spread of zebra mussels in provincial water bodies
The Manitoba government is taking a community-by-community approach to protecting the province's waterways from zebra mussels. At a funding announcement in the shadow of the St. Andrews dam on the Red River Wednesday, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced a $540,000 investment to help municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profits develop localized programs to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. 'These species don't just change the ecosystems of our rivers and lakes, they change how we experience them. They mess with the waters that so many of us rely on for fishing, boating or simply just enjoying nature,' Moyes said. 'Preventing the spread of AIS is something that we all have a part in.' Mark Hoffman/MCT The Manitoba government is investing $540,000 to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels in the province's waterways. The bulk of the funding — $410,000 — was first announced in the 2025 budget and will be put towards an AIS prevention fund for local governments and community groups to spend on projects such as watercraft cleaning-and-inspection stations, community outreach initiatives, monitoring and eradication efforts. An additional $130,000 has been earmarked for 'specialized equipment' to support mitigation and prevention efforts, including mobile pressure-washers for decontaminating watercraft. 'It's about supporting local solutions and building strong partnerships,' Moyes said, adding the province will let applicant communities take the lead in deciding where the funds go. Some of those partnerships are already underway. Association of Manitoba Municipalities vice-president Scott Phillips thanked the province Wednesday for its support developing a municipal bylaw and frequently-asked-questions template to help local governments inform residents and visitors about waterway protection guidelines. 'Municipalities need strong tools and clear guidance, especially as we head into busy summer months when we will have even more Manitobans and visitors enjoying our lakes and waterways,' Phillips said, adding that communities need 'ongoing support and long-term funding' to ensure management strategies are effective. The City of Selkirk has partnered with the province on an inspection-and-decontamination station at its boat launch since 2015. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. 'It's so important that we fight these invasive species,' Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson said during the announcement. 'The waterways are so important to quality of life.' Nine Manitoba water bodies, including Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg, Red River and Nelson River, are infested with zebra mussels, which can clog water infrastructure, litter beaches with shells and damage water quality. Last year, Clear Lake became the westernmost Canadian water body infested with the invasive mussels. The Manitoba government has steadily ramped up efforts to protect its rivers and lakes from zebra mussels and other ecosystem-damaging species since 2024, including the release of an aquatic invasive species management strategy last summer, and a $1.4-million increase to the AIS management budget over the last two years. The funds have supported additional inspection stations, including a mobile unit, and expanded monitoring programs. Julia-Simone RutgersReporter Julia-Simone Rutgers is the Manitoba environment reporter for the Free Press and The Narwhal. She joined the Free Press in 2020, after completing a journalism degree at the University of King's College in Halifax, and took on the environment beat in 2022. Read more about Julia-Simone. Julia-Simone's role is part of a partnership with The Narwhal, funded by the Winnipeg Foundation. Every piece of reporting Julia-Simone produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Manitoba has approved $9.7M in electric vehicle rebates since provincial program launched
Manitoba has already paid out almost $10 million in rebates for people buying or leasing electric vehicles, under a program the province launched just last summer. The province says it's approved 2,529 claims since the program began in July 2024, totalling just under $9.69 million. The program officially began on July 2, 2024, but was made retroactive for anyone who purchased an EV in Manitoba since Aug. 1, 2023. The program is set to end in March 2026, or when the total $25 million set aside for it runs out. Environment Minister Mike Moyes said on Tuesday he expects the demand to stay high, but that he isn't concerned. "We're really happy … that Manitobans are making that switch, because the sooner that they make the switch, the sooner that we're going to see reductions in the carbon footprint," the minister said. "This is a good news story." Under the provincial program, any Manitoba resident who buys or leases an electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a manufacturer's suggested list price below $70,000 in the province can apply for a rebate of up to $4,000. For a used electric vehicle, the rebate is up to $2,500. More than two-thirds of the claims approved in Manitoba — 1,947 — were for the purchase of new vehicles, which are eligible for the full rebate. A federal government rebate that offered Canadians $5,000 toward an EV purchase was abruptly put on pause earlier this month, with the federal government saying funds were running out due to surge in interest. James Hart, president of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association, said that's led to another rush, with some manufacturers deciding to match the federal rebate temporarily. "We've had a lot of people asking a lot more questions about them," he said in an interview on CBC's Radio Noon. "It's hard to say how many have gone through with the purchase because of incentives, because it's usually incentives piled on top of other stuff, and especially right now … with the federal incentive going away." Moyes said the provincial government will continue to assess the program as it goes.
