Manitoba investing $150M to protect agriculture jobs amid trade wars

Danton Unger reports on U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs, and why Canada may have been spared the worst.

The Manitoba government is investing $150 million towards agricultural producers to protect jobs amid a trade war with the United States.

Premier Wab Kinew made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday, explaining the money includes $10 million in matching funds for the AgriStability program and $140.8 million for business risk management programs, including AgriInsurance and AgriInvest.

“We’re here with a simple message—we, as a provincial government, are going to support your jobs and to support our economy,” Kinew said.

“To you and to everyone else across this amazing country, we have another simple message – Canada will always be the True North, strong and free, and we will never be the 51st state.”

According to Kinew, the government is collaborating with farmers and businesses to protect jobs, improve the economy, and respond to tariffs.

The premier added the province is working with Keystone Agricultural Producers to support Manitoba agriculture by looking for opportunities to remove regulatory barriers, advancing trade work in Manitoba’s interest, and helping to deliver policies and investments.

“We’re going to work together to ensure that your jobs, your industry are here today, tomorrow, and for generations to come,” the premier said.

“So we’re standing up for Westman and we’re standing up for Western Canada. We’re standing up for this country that we love so much.”

Kinew spoke at the Maple Leaf Foods plant, a major employer and maker of pork products in western Manitoba.

This news comes the same day that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to launch tariffs against countries around the world, escalating the United States’ trade war.

In addition to tariff threats from the United States, Canadian farmers are already facing tariffs from China on products such as canola and pork.

-With files from The Canadian Press