Manitoba Minute: Issue 107

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

📅 This Week In Manitoba: 📅

• Manitoba’s 2026 budget has cleared a key legislative vote, securing support that allows the government’s fiscal plan to move forward. Premier Wab Kinew is also signalling that the Province may broaden its planned PST exemption on prepared and ready-made foods, potentially extending it beyond large grocery stores to include smaller “mom-and-pop” retailers, though details have not been finalized. The current policy would remove sales tax from a wider range of food items sold in grocery stores, including prepared meals and snacks, starting July 1st. Critics argue the measure could unfairly benefit larger chains while offering limited savings for consumers. Kinew also said his government is still considering a possible additional cut to the provincial fuel tax depending on price trends.
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew recently suggested the government may introduce another provincial fuel tax cut as Winnipeg gas prices reach approximately $1.70 per litre. This follows a previous one-year suspension of the tax in 2024, which the government later reinstated at a reduced rate in 2025. Kinew made the unprompted comment during a legislative session while responding to the Opposition. Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan expressed skepticism regarding the announcement, suggesting the Premier often makes unsubstantiated claims in the chamber. The potential cut comes amid rising fuel costs and follows other affordability measures, such as grocery tax reductions included in the recent budget. While Kinew stressed the significance of previous tax relief, no formal plan for a new cut has been confirmed.
  
  
• Manitoba’s US trade representative, Richard Madan, says his work in Washington is focused on strengthening economic and political ties as trade tensions evolve between Canada and the United States. Over the past nine months, he has met with dozens of members of Congress to promote Manitoba’s key sectors, including agriculture, critical minerals, and Arctic security. He says early interactions sometimes included resistance, but engagement has become more positive as U.S. lawmakers respond to the effects of tariffs and broader trade disputes. In the coming weeks, he plans to attend international summits focused on Arctic policy and critical minerals development. While his $387,000 salary has drawn political criticism, he argues it reflects the importance of maintaining strong cross-border relationships during a sensitive economic period.
  
  
• The provincial government recently hosted the 'Make it in Manitoba' recruitment forum, resulting in over 60 job offers being signed in-person. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara reported strong attendance, with nearly 400 participants. While some attendees found the event helpful, others noted difficulties in securing interviews and stable work. The Manitoba Nurses Union is advocating for better nurse-to-patient ratios and safer conditions. Data indicates the province is losing approximately 57% of its nursing gains to turnover, hiring 1,697 nurses while losing 962 between April 2024 and May 2025. Minister Asagwara described these figures as a "snapshot" and stated the Province is working to expand training pathways and reduce workload pressures. The government plans to make the hiring event a regular occurrence to help address ongoing staffing needs.
  
  
• Manitoba Speaker Tom Lindsey ruled that Progressive Conservative leader Obby Khan made dehumanizing remarks toward non-binary Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. During a legislative exchange, audio captured Khan saying, "You are a terrible person, whatever you are". Premier Wab Kinew and NDP House Leader Nahanni Fontaine supported the review, characterizing the language as transphobic. Khan initially claimed the remark was misconstrued, asserting he had said "whatever you are saying". Following the ruling, Khan apologized for the "whatever you are" portion of his remarks, stating he did not intend to target Asagwara’s identity. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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