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Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Premier Wab Kinew promotes Manitoba trade corridor that could include a pipeline
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew promoted his province Friday as the route for a future trade corridor, which could include a pipeline, in order to get goods from Western Canada to overseas markets. 'The politics are (that) something needs to get built in Western Canada. I think everybody understands that,' Kinew told a breakfast meeting of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. 'And if you've been following the news, B. C.? Ontario? Maybe. We'll see. But Manitoba's open for business, and I think in time Manitoba will show itself as a path to getting natural resources to tidewater across Canada.' The Alberta government has been pushing for a pipeline across northern British Columbia, but the idea is not supported by the B.C. government. Kinew said Manitoba is looking at boosting shipments through Hudson Bay, currently served by the Port of Churchill, which is ice-free for only a brief period every year. There have been calls for a second port on the bay, further south at Port Nelson, combined with more rail service and a pipeline, to boost exports to Europe and other destinations. Kinew said he's open to different options, but the private sector has to put forward ideas. A trade corridor could ship Manitoba's low-carbon hydroelectricity westward to the other Prairie provinces, he said. And a pipeline heading the other direction is a possibility. 'What is the product that makes sense? Are we going to be looking at liquefaction and then maybe it's a [liquefied natural gas] thing?' Kinew told reporters after his speech. 'Are we looking at oil and gas projects? Are we looking at something novel like green hydrogen or maybe a potash slurry? These are the things that we can signal to the private sector we're open to having a discussion about.' Pipeline development in the north could face opposition from environmentalists and others. Much of the area near the coast of Hudson Bay is protected, including Wapusk National Park. Kinew also told the business crowd Friday his NDP government is finalizing a memorandum with British Columbia to cut trade barriers between the two provinces. Similar to a recent deal with Ontario, it's aimed at allowing more goods and services to flow freely. Kinew said it will give Manitobans access to another big Canadian market. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to break down internal trade barriers by Canada Day, and Ontario, Nova Scotia and other provinces have been working on reciprocal agreements.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Manitoba premier promotes more interprovincial trade, possible energy corridor
Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew speaks to media prior to the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has announced another interprovincial trade deal, and has promoted plans for a northern energy corridor that could include a pipeline. Kinew told the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce that his government is finalizing a memorandum with British Columbia to cut trade barriers between the two provinces. Similar to a recent deal with Ontario, it's aimed at allowing more goods and services to flow freely, and Kinew says it will give Manitobans access to another big market. Kinew also told the business crowd he plans to have Manitoba show itself as the path to getting natural resources to tidewater. He says among the possibilities are a new port on Hudson Bay and a pipeline to carry anything from oil to potash slurry. Kinew says something needs to get built in Western Canada, and it's up to the private sector to build a business case for the best plan. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025 Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Manitobans bracing for looming Canada Post strike
With a Canada Post strike looming, CTV's Michelle Gerwing reports on the impact it could have. Canada is potentially days away from a country-wide postal stoppage -- again. The union representing Canada Post employees issued a strike notice, and Thursday could be the last day you get mail for awhile. Here in Manitoba, this means shipping anything could cost more, take longer, and some rural customers may not even be able to get parcels. The importance of mail Storm Anderson thought her phone and wallet were gone for good after she lost them in February. However, she unexpectedly got them back in the mail on May 3. She suspects someone found her belongings and dropped them loosely into a Canada Post letter box. 'I think that was pretty awesome that they'd do that, because I know that there was no postage on it, obviously,' she said. 'So, for them to do that just as a nice gesture. I'm very grateful to them.' The impact of a strike These types of gestures may be disrupted if Canada Post workers hit the picket lines. It's the second time in six months as May 22 marks the end of the extension which sent postal workers back on the job last Christmas. Amid the uncertainty, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce's Chuck Davidson says his organization and many other businesses are going digital and shopping for other shippers that may be more reliable -- even if it costs more. 'That's the difficulty that I feel Canada Post is in by any kind of a lengthy strike. What you're doing is you're opening up for a different competition, but you're also opening up that business,' he said. 'They're going to be looking elsewhere for how they how they move those goods.' Small businesses may face struggles In some cases, like a small rural business or customer in Manitoba, private delivery companies aren't a solution. 'They don't have the staff; they don't have the trucks. They, often rely on Canada Post for that last few miles,' said John Graham with the Retail Council of Canada's Prairies office. There is still time for a deal to be reached as another offer from the employer is expected on Wednesday. The union says negotiation sticking points are wage increases, changes to pensions, weekend delivery and the hiring of part time staff , adding that they fear Canada Post is being turned into a gig job, not a good government job with pay and benefits. Canada Post says the corporation is in trouble and the union is resisting change.
