Manitoba Minute: Issue 74

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

📅 This Week In Manitoba: 📅

• Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives have accused Premier Wab Kinew of violating election law with a social media post about the upcoming Spruce Woods byelection. Tory Leader Obby Khan argued that Kinew’s Instagram post, which promoted a Highway 2 improvement pledge, blurred the line between his role as premier and NDP leader since publicly funded staff have helped manage his account. Khan filed a complaint with the elections commissioner, citing rules that bar government promotion of programs during campaigns. The NDP countered that the post was a campaign promise made with party resources, not government ones, and therefore allowed under the law. Similar complaints have surfaced in past elections, with former premiers facing scrutiny but often cleared. The byelection is set for Tuesday in the Tory stronghold, which has been vacant since March. The Tories are running Colleen Robbins, while the NDP put forward Ray Berthelette and the Liberals nominated teacher Stephen Reid. The race comes as the NDP, buoyed by strong polling, hope for another upset following their 2024 Tuxedo byelection win.
  
  
• Manitoba has ended its provincewide state of emergency as wildfire conditions ease after the worst fire season in three decades. More than 400 fires have burned this year, far above average, but recent rain has lowered danger levels and allowed some evacuees to return home. About 1,000 residents from Snow Lake went back Friday after two evacuations this summer, while supports like health services, food banks, and the Red Cross were set up to help them resettle. Mayor Ron Scott credited firefighters with saving the town and urged residents to show their gratitude. Other communities, including Pukatawagan and Leaf Rapids, are preparing for phased returns once power and supplies are restored, though some residents may need to wait longer. Over 7,000 people remain displaced across the province. Officials warn hot spots continue to smolder, meaning firefighting crews will stay active for weeks. Despite the relief, many evacuees are still coping with stress, financial strain, and the challenges of rebuilding routines after months away.
  
  
• A recent search of the Prairie Green landfill near Winnipeg for the remains of two First Nations women, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, murdered in 2022, was completed at a cost of about $18 million - far below initial estimates of up to $184 million. The search, launched by Manitoba’s NDP government in December 2024, concluded in February 2025 after locating both women’s remains, with safety and trauma-informed supports provided for workers. Convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki targeted vulnerable First Nations women, including Harris, Myran, Rebecca Contois, and a fourth initially unidentified victim, Ashlee Shingoose. With Prairie Green now closed, specialized equipment and personnel will move to the Brady Road landfill to search for Shingoose’s remains, requiring an additional $2 million for site decommissioning and relocation of equipment. The Province is also planning a future search at Brady Road for Tanya Nepinak, a woman who disappeared over a decade ago. 
  
  
• A new report finds Manitoba is falling far short of its goal to add 23,000 affordable child-care spaces by 2026, having created only about 3,400 so far. This makes the province the furthest behind in Canada, with just 15% of promised spaces in place under its $1.2-billion federal-provincial agreement. More than half of Manitoba’s children live in “child-care deserts,” areas with fewer than three licensed spots for every 10 kids. While Manitoba has focused almost entirely on building non-profit, $10-per-day spaces - unlike other provinces where for-profit centres dominate expansion - many say progress has been too slow. The Province acknowledged the gap but says it is expanding partnerships with schools, municipalities, Indigenous governments, and post-secondary institutions. Earlier this year, Manitoba signed a new $1.9-billion deal with Ottawa to continue building spaces over the next five years. Advocates argue that without major changes in approach, families across Manitoba will continue struggling to find affordable child care close to home.
  
  
• The federal government has officially recognized the Red River Métis business directory, allowing its more than 850 registered companies to bid on federal contracts reserved for Indigenous businesses. This recognition stems from the 2024 self-government treaty between the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and Ottawa, which formally acknowledged the MMF as the government of the Red River Métis. Under Canada’s procurement strategy, federal departments must allocate at least five per cent of contracts to Indigenous-owned businesses, a market worth billions of dollars. MMF president David Chartrand called the decision a “big win,” estimating that at least 10% of listed businesses are well-positioned to compete for major projects. While recognition guarantees access to opportunities, Chartrand noted it does not ensure selection. In 2023-24, Indigenous businesses secured over $1.24 billion in federal contracts, exceeding targets but raising concerns about auditing and cases of non-Indigenous firms exploiting loopholes. Ottawa has pledged to address these vulnerabilities, as recent controversies like the ArriveCan contracts exposed weaknesses in the system. Leaders say the new access will create thousands of jobs and strengthen both Métis communities and the broader Canadian economy.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Canada recently lifted retaliatory tariffs on US goods to advance trade talks - but Manitoba canola farmers are still struggling under unfair trade barriers.

Premier Wab Kinew said he would like to see the federal government “remove tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles so that country would drop its duties on canola, if we're in the business of removing tariffs.”

It’s clear Manitoba farmers need real support, not half-measures. Our friends at Project Confederation are calling on the federal government to prioritize free trade and defend Canadian agriculture.

Sign the petition here:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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