Manitoba announces funding for manufacturers to expand business connections amid tariff threats

The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

The Manitoba government unveiled new supports aimed at helping manufacturers in the province that may be impacted by tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Premier Wab Kinew announced $1.5 million in grant funding for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to create a “made-in-Manitoba program” that would help offer support in the face of tariffs.

“That $1.5 million is going out the door immediately to help businesses and to help workers be able to respond,” Kinew said during a news conference Thursday.

The premier said the money will be used to help train businesses on tariffs and market diversification, create a summit to build business connections, and provide tariff planning consultations.

“There’s so much uncertainty right now. There’s so much back and forth about what is going on one day to the next, tariffs being put on, tariffs being taken off. We need to have that stability so that you can make plans for your family and you can make plans for your future.”

The 2025 budget released by the Manitoba government last week highlighted the potential to have up to $1.1 billion added to the budget that would be used to help Manitobans combat any tariffs.

Kinew made the announcement Thursday in Selkirk at the steel plant, saying his government’s goal is to use Manitoban and Canadian companies to build up Manitoba.

“It’s really important that we think through how we build up this country and making sure that the whole supply chain, right to standing up a new build or a new piece of hydro infrastructure or the equipment that we buy too, that that is going to be supporting jobs in this country, is what it’s all about, and in this province in particular,” said Kinew.

“I am not going to let Donald Trump take manufacturing jobs away from Manitoba.”

Terry Shaw, the regional vice president of the Prairies for Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, called the announcement an important response to the threat of tariffs.

“This tariff response programming will provide our manufacturers with the tools they need to diversify their markets, protect Manitoba jobs and mitigate the impact of tariffs,” Shaw said in a news release.