The Manitoba Legislature concluded its spring sitting yesterday, marking a pivotal moment in Premier Wab Kinew’s mandate. With October 3rd set to mark the halfway mark in his government’s term, the session was defined by forward-looking energy policy, a renewed focus on the economy and trade, and increased attention to northern economic development.
A standout legislative achievement is the passage of Bill 47, the “Fair Trade in Canada” Act, introduced late in the session and fast-tracked, following a similar bill by the Opposition PC Finance Critic. Bill 47 aims at boosting trade and dismantling barriers between provinces by recognizing trade barrier reduction efforts of other jurisdictions. The bill, which in the end passed with the support of Opposition members, sends some mixed messages, signalling Manitoba’s commitment to pursue broader economic cooperation agreements while at the same time exempting Manitoba’s Crown Corporations from the measures.
Premier Kinew also used the session to highlight Manitoba’s role in national energy equity, issuing directives to Manitoba Hydro to pull back 500 megawatts of power from US export contracts and reprioritize that power for potential east-west transmission. Of that, 50 MW is specifically designated for Nunavut to help support the development of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link – an aspirational move framed as both a nation-building initiative and a step toward energy justice for Canada’s North.
Another MB Hydro-related bill, Bill 28, grants the Minister new authority to strategically prioritize hydro connection requests, to respond to the challenges of new connection requests by high-demand classes of customers. The new legislation follows up on a temporary halt of new connections by cryptocurrency operations and provides a glimpse into the new government’s thinking about Hydro energy capacity and prioritization.
In this spring session the Premier also floated the idea of a second port on Hudson Bay, re-opening a conversation about unlocking economic potential in Manitoba’s northern and remote regions through the development of new trade corridors.
Late in April, the NDP launched a broad public consultation on a province-wide economic development strategy, building on engagement efforts that began in 2023. The initiative is intended to inform decisions on how to boost productivity, attract investment, and foster innovation across Manitoba.
In total, the Legislature passed over 30 bills in this session which included various measures reinforcing the government’s broader economic and social agenda. The Opposition Tories used their powers to hold back five other bills for future debate in the fall.
As the Kinew government nears the halfway point of its term, the tone is one of cautious optimism. The new government has shown a willingness to engage in big-picture thinking and has gained recognition for listening to diverse voices. However, expectations will only continue to grow for actionable plans and evidence of progress.
When the Legislature re-convenes on October 1st, the government is expected to continue to place a focus on economic growth, investments in healthcare, Hydro’s plans for alternative energy, and Manitoba’s role in nation-building initiatives.
We’re Here to Help
For more information and insights about what these developments mean for the political landscape in Manitoba, please reach out to our experts:
Cameron Friesen – Senior Strategy Advisor
cameron@prairieskystrategy.ca
204.332.1445
To learn more about Prairie Sky Strategy, please visit our website.
