Manitoba Minute: Issue 86

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

📅 This Week In Manitoba: 📅

• The owner of a private rail port in southern Manitoba, Mid-Canada Transload, is questioning why the provincial government granted $18 million to a proposed rival rail port in Ritchot. Mid-Canada operates two grain elevators along private track near Letellier and exports various commodities through US and Canadian rail networks. The grant, provided by the former Progressive Conservative government just before the 2023 election, allowed the municipal-owned JohnQ Public to purchase land and conduct studies for the new Winnipeg Region Rail Port. Mid-Canada’s founder, Real Tetrault, criticized the decision, arguing government funds should prioritize health, highways, and other public services rather than subsidizing competition. Experts suggest the new rail port is unlikely to threaten Mid-Canada significantly due to its location 70 km away, though it could benefit Burlington Northern Santa Fe with a larger, more efficient facility. Manitoba’s NDP government is reviewing the grant, considering its impact on existing rail infrastructure and private operators.
  
  
• The Province has launched the Manitoba Circle of Honour medallion to recognize the dedication and service of military personnel and first responders. The inaugural ceremony at the legislature honoured three recipients: 103-year-old Leonard Van Roon, a Second World War veteran who landed at Juno Beach and helped liberate the Netherlands; Lt.-Col. Kim Wilton, who served over 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and assisted with the air evacuation of 269 people during this year’s wildfires; and Justin Woodcock, a veteran and social worker supporting Indigenous veterans affected by PTSD. Premier Wab Kinew highlighted the medallion as a way to preserve the memory of service for future generations, while recipients emphasized the significance of recognizing both historical and ongoing contributions to Manitoba’s communities. The program will continue annually, prioritizing living Second World War veterans where possible.
  
  
• A Winnipeg company, Duha Color Services, is relocating operations from a recently acquired US competitor, Colwell Color Ltd., in Indiana to Manitoba. The move is expected to create 94 new jobs in Winnipeg and provide additional training for 42 existing employees. To support the transition, the Manitoba and federal governments are contributing a combined $159,000, which will help integrate new technologies. Chief Business Officer Rick Duha cited Manitoba’s skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and lower costs as key reasons for the move, emphasizing the company’s commitment to remaining globally competitive while expanding locally. Despite trade tensions with the US, the company maintains that its export strategy to the US will continue.
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew says the Port of Churchill expansion is progressing despite being absent from the federal government’s recent list of nation-building projects. Kinew noted that Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Winnipeg on Sunday, with potential announcements on the project expected. Manitoba officials are coordinating with the newly created Major Projects Office, and the Province plans to spend $750,000 this winter studying icebreaking requirements for year-round shipping. The federal government has committed $180 million over five years to diversify the port and railway. The expansion could include upgrades to the port and Hudson Bay Railway, an all-weather road, icebreaker support, and an energy corridor potentially for LNG, crude oil, natural gas, electricity, or hydrogen transport.
  
  
• Several Manitoba municipalities are urging the provincial government to reduce police involvement in non-violent mental health calls, arguing that the current system under the Mental Health Act is inefficient and outdated. Under the law, only peace officers can detain and transport individuals in crisis, which often diverts officers from other duties and can be a stigmatizing experience for patients. Dauphin and other municipalities are calling for mobile crisis response teams, a provincewide patient transport service, and expanded mental health support in rural and northern communities. Data from the RCMP shows officers spend hundreds of hours monthly escorting patients, highlighting the strain on resources. Municipal leaders say non-police professionals could handle many wellness calls more effectively. The provincial government plans to begin consultations next year to review and potentially overhaul the law. Limited institutional safety officers have been introduced in some facilities, but their deployment remains small. Municipalities hope the review will create a more modern, community-led approach to mental health emergencies.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!