Stop the Destruction: Protect Lake Winnipeg's Peatlands 

Lake Winnipeg's Washow Bay area, a vital ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife and local communities, is under threat from the expansion of peat mining operations. Peat, a non-renewable resource¹, is being extracted at the cost of our environment and the health of Lake Winnipeg. We call upon the province and responsible authorities to halt the expansion of peat mining by SunGro and other operators to protect Lake Winnipeg. 

Why This Matters:

1. Lake Winnipeg Pollution: Peat mining releases stored phosphorus into its runoff, which contributes to algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg. Peat mining degrades water quality by releasing suspended solids and dissolved metals into water bodies. It alters local water tables and drainage patterns, leading to soil erosion and increased sedimentation that harms aquatic life and recreational areas. Peat buildups are already evident on Lake Winnipeg’s beaches and shoreline.
2. Wildfire Risk: Peat is highly flammable putting local residents at risk of wildfire.  Serviced by a single gravel road, currently in a state of disrepair, several Lake Winnipeg communities have no escape route. When wildfires occurred in June 2020², many cottages were lost or damaged.
3. First Nations Impact: Fisher River FN and Peguis FN have expressed concerns over the environmental impact and infringement of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
4. Environmental Devastation: Peatlands are rich ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Peat mining destroys these habitats, leading to significant biodiversity loss and disruption of critical ecosystem services like water regulation, carbon storage, and flood mitigation. Lake Winnipeg peat mines are currently strip mining in a moose conservation area where moose populations have significantly decreased.
5. Climate Change: Peatlands act as major carbon sinks, storing immense amounts of carbon. Mining releases this stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating climate change. The process of drying and processing peat further increases CO2 emissions.

Our Demands:

1. Immediate Moratorium: Implement an immediate moratorium on new peat mining licenses and the expansion of existing operations in the Lake Winnipeg area.
2. Sustainable Alternatives: Promote and support the use of sustainable alternatives to peat, such as typha, composting, and coconut coir, which can provide similar benefits without environmental harm.

Join Us in Protecting Lake Winnipeg:

By signing this petition, you are standing up for the protection of Lake Winnipeg's precious peatlands and supporting the health and well-being of local communities. Together, we can advocate for sustainable practices and prevent further environmental degradation.  

For more information please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Sign Now to Stop the Expansion of Peat Mining on Lake Winnipeg!

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Footnotes:
1. It takes thousands of years to form substantial peat deposits. Due to its extremely slow rate of accumulation, it cannot be replenished on a human timescale, making it non-renewable

2. The Fire Commissioner's report indicated that the June 2020 Beaver Creek fire was started at the peat mine located ~1km away