On Monday, the province announced that construction is set to begin this week on three schools in Winnipeg and another in Brandon. “The ones in Winnipeg, you’re seeing testing going on this week – weather dependent, about driving the piles,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. The new schools, which come with a $20 million price tag, will be located in Devonshire Park, Prairie Pointe, the Meadowlands residential community, and southwest Brandon. Construction will begin at the same time and utilize a standardized design, Kinew said. According to the province, the work is being done under the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA), which prioritizes Manitoba workers on major infrastructure projects and sets standards for wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. The program is intended to boost local employment, develop talent through apprenticeships, and set consistent terms for union and non-union trades. All Manitoba government capital projects with a total project cost of $50 million or more will be considered for MJA. The schools were initially announced in the 2025 budget, and the premier said they are scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. Meantime, the premier also noted that construction on Victoria Hospital’s new emergency room is also moving ahead as part of the MJA umbrella. “Site prep is going on this month, and active construction will begin in March. And that contract has been awarded as well,” said Kinew.
