Manitoba Minute: Discarded Needles, Retail Theft, and Electric Bus Manufacturing

Manitoba Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Manitoba politics.

This Week In Manitoba:

• Rural communities, particularly Swan River, are urgently calling for provincial assistance in addressing the increasing issue of discarded needles. Over the past year, the town has distributed more than 500,000 syringes, leading to a significant rise in needles found in public spaces, including schools and playgrounds. Local officials, including Mayor Lance Jacobson, are frustrated with the financial burden of cleanup efforts and have passed resolutions to limit syringe distribution and hold organizations accountable for waste disposal. The Province is exploring options to support municipalities with cleanup initiatives and is considering implementing a needle exchange program as part of a broader strategy to tackle addiction and public safety.
  
  
• New Flyer is set to establish a new facility in Winnipeg for the full manufacturing of electric buses, backed by $38.4 million in funding from federal and provincial governments. This investment is expected to create 250 jobs in the area and enhance local production capabilities, allowing the company to complete its zero-emission buses in Winnipeg rather than in Alabama. Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the importance of promoting Canadian-made products. The facility, which will focus on assembling and equipping buses with battery electric chargers and hydrogen fueling systems, is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2025. The federal government will contribute $15 million, while Manitoba’s support includes a $10 million capital investment and a $13.4 million interest waiver on an existing loan.
  
  
• The Province is extending its retail theft initiative through the holiday season, following reports of reduced crime rates from business owners. The initiative will be supported by 12 new police officers and additional overtime resources to address concerns about police workload. This comes as a survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reveals that 52% of small businesses are affected by crime, an increase from 41% in the previous year. Premier Wab Kinew indicated that the government is considering making the program permanent.

Last Week In Manitoba:

• The Manitoba government has extended a moratorium on new cannabis licences for over a year, specifically targeting "controlled-access" outlets in urban areas like Winnipeg. These outlets, which include convenience stores and gas stations, can sell cannabis products but limit access to prevent minors from obtaining them. The moratorium, originally set to expire soon, has been pushed back to December 1st, 2025, allowing for further review and industry consultations. The pause has been positively received by stand-alone cannabis retailers, who argue that controlled-access licences should be reserved for rural areas lacking dedicated stores.
  
  
• The search for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran began at the Prairie Green Landfill. Materials are being moved above the targeted search zone, facilities for the search teams are nearly complete, and recruitment for qualified workers is ongoing. Two search teams, each consisting of 12 full-time workers, will conduct the search, and the facility will be split into two sections to allow for simultaneous searches of different materials. The Province has implemented a five-step plan for the search, and is currently in stage three. The upcoming fourth stage will involve excavating, which is anticipated to begin in December.
  
  
• The Province committed to exploring the establishment of more liquor outlets within grocery stores, issuing a request for information to suppliers about creating small publicly run kiosks in up to six Winnipeg locations. These kiosks, referred to as C-Stores, will be similar to existing Liquor Mart Express outlets but will feature secure walls and doors for separation. The C-Stores will be staffed by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries employees and located in areas lacking access to full-sized government-run liquor stores.