Manitoba Minute: Issue 109

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

📅 This Week In Manitoba: 📅

• Premier Wab Kinew says the Province is likely to eliminate seasonal clock changes by the end of 2026, with a decision expected on whether to adopt permanent daylight or standard time. He suggested the shift is essentially inevitable, though debate continues over which option is better, as daylight time offers longer summer evenings while standard time is considered healthier by experts. The Premier has indicated a preference for permanent standard time due to its potential health benefits, but acknowledged many residents favour more evening daylight. The Province plans to further consult the public and raise awareness before making a final decision. The move comes as other jurisdictions, including Alberta, British Columbia, and the northern territories, are also moving away from time changes. There is also discussion of creating a unified “Prairie time zone” with Saskatchewan and Alberta, which could provide economic benefits through improved regional alignment.
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew says American alcohol will remain off provincial store shelves until the United States removes tariffs on Canadian goods, framing the boycott as a negotiating tool in ongoing trade tensions. He also suggested, somewhat controversially, that a further condition could include the release of US government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, arguing that Canada should apply pressure on Washington in multiple ways. Manitoba has maintained a ban on US liquor since early 2025, with most provinces participating in similar restrictions, though Alberta and Saskatchewan have not. Kinew described the strategy as effective leverage, saying it is meant to respond to what he called harmful US tariff policies under President Donald Trump.
  
  
• Manitoba is expanding its planned provincial sales tax exemption on ready-made and packaged foods to include items sold at convenience stores and small “mom-and-pop” retailers, after concerns were raised that the original policy unfairly favoured larger grocery chains. The change means grab-and-go foods like rotisserie chicken, salads, drinks, and snacks will be PST-free regardless of whether they are purchased at supermarkets or corner stores such as 7-Eleven. Premier Wab Kinew said the adjustment was relatively low-cost but important for fairness, ensuring smaller retailers are not excluded from the affordability measure. The policy was initially announced in the provincial budget as a grocery-store-only tax cut, but stakeholders, including the Retail Council of Canada, pushed for broader coverage. The government says the expanded exemption will better reflect how Manitobans actually buy food, especially for those who rely on nearby convenience stores for accessibility.
  
  
• Manitoba municipalities are calling for reforms to RCMP funding models, citing "unsustainable" rising costs as current contracts approach a 2032 expiration. Under existing agreements, urban municipalities with 5,000 to 14,999 residents pay 70% of policing costs, with the federal government covering the remainder. Leaders from communities like The Pas and Lac du Bonnet argue that these expenses, including equipment costs, place an undue burden on local ratepayers. Proposed solutions include shifting to 50/50 or 60/40 municipal-federal funding splits and ensuring municipalities have a stronger voice in negotiations. While local officials focus on financial relief, the National Police Federation views the upcoming bargaining as an opportunity to modernize services and improve officer deployment strategies.
  
  
• A Probe Research survey indicates that 52% of Canadians support the Port of Churchill Plus project, though 39% remain unfamiliar with the proposal. The "transformative" initiative involves upgrading the Hudson Bay Railway, constructing an all-weather road, increasing icebreaker capacity, and building a potential pipeline for crude oil or natural gas exports. Premier Wab Kinew noted that federal approval is contingent on an aggressive commitment to begin liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping by 2030. The expansion is part of a broader strategy to diversify Canada's trade partnerships and reduce economic dependence on the United States.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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