Manitoba Minute: New Schools, Public Inquiry, and Kinew Talks Tariffs

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

This Week In Manitoba:

• Premier Wab Kinew considers his recent trip to Washington, DC, a success, despite no changes in US plans to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. During the two-day visit, Kinew met with US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. He also briefly spoke with Elon Musk. Kinew emphasized the importance of building relationships with the new US administration and addressing concerns like border security and drug trafficking.
  
  
• Manitoba is experiencing a surge in demand for Canadian flags, with stores like The Flag Shop in Winnipeg seeing a significant increase in sales. This rise in interest is partly driven by growing frustration over US tariffs and a call from five former Canadian prime ministers encouraging citizens to display the flag as a symbol of national pride. Many customers are purchasing flags for the first time in years. The demand has been so high that stores are struggling to keep up and are sewing flags to replenish stock. Premier Wab Kinew also joined the wave of patriotic sentiment, urging Manitobans to proudly display the Canadian flag.
  
  
• Shoppers Drug Mart’s foundation is making a $10-million donation to Manitoba’s MMIWG2S+ Healing and Empowerment Endowment Fund, marking its largest contribution. This fund, created last year with an initial $15 million, supports families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people. Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine praised the donation as a meaningful step in reconciliation.

Last Week In Manitoba:

• Several school divisions in Manitoba have cancelled field trips to the United States due to safety concerns linked to tensions over gender issues. The Seven Oaks School Division in Winnipeg cited a US Executive Order regarding 2SLGBTQ+ issues, deeming it unsafe for students and staff. Pembina Trails School Division also paused trips, emphasizing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some other divisions, like the Louis Riel School Division, are reassessing their travel plans, acknowledging concerns from community members about what they see as ongoing attacks on diversity and inclusion in the US.
  
  
• The Manitoba government has announced a public inquiry into the construction of the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters, which was completed two years late and $79 million over budget. The Province has appointed lawyer Garth Smorang, a veteran litigator, to lead the inquiry. The goal is to address the unanswered questions surrounding the project and restore public trust in the City of Winnipeg’s ability to manage large public construction projects. The inquiry will examine the renovation's planning, approval, and management processes, as well as potential conflicts of interest. Smorang will review evidence, including audits and documents, and provide a final report with recommendations by January 1st, 2027.
  
  
• The Province announced a new kindergarten to Grade 8 school for West St. Paul, marking the third school announcement this week. The facility will accommodate 600 students and include 74 spaces for infant and preschool care. Located in the Meadowlands development, the bilingual school is set to begin construction in 2026. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt highlighted the region’s rapid growth and the importance of keeping class sizes small. Earlier in the week, new schools were also announced for Transcona and Waverley, both scheduled to open in 2027.