Manitoba Premier Focuses on Northern Development Initiatives Including Potential Pipeline Projects

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has positioned his province as a key player in the future of Canadian trade infrastructure, suggesting Manitoba could be the crucial link for a new trade corridor to deliver Western Canadian goods to global markets. Speaking to business leaders on Friday morning, Kinew emphasized the urgent need for infrastructure projects that can help move natural resources efficiently across the country.

“The politics are (that) something needs to get built in Western Canada. I think everybody understands that,” Kinew stated, highlighting that while British Columbia and Ontario may be uncertain routes for such projects, Manitoba is signaling its readiness to embrace new opportunities. He underscored that Manitoba stands ready “as a path to getting natural resources to tidewater across Canada,” potentially giving the Prairie provinces a new export lifeline.

The push comes as Alberta seeks a pipeline through northern British Columbia—a proposal that faces resistance from B.C.’s government. Against this backdrop, Kinew outlined Manitoba’s ongoing exploration of expanding shipments through Hudson Bay, particularly via the Port of Churchill, which is currently open only seasonally due to ice. The premier referenced proposals to create an additional port at Port Nelson and enhance rail capacity, possibly paired with pipeline development, to significantly boost exports to Europe and beyond.

Kinew made clear that while the province is open to ideas, it will likely be up to the private sector to bring forward concrete plans. He floated several possibilities for such a corridor—ranging from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and traditional oil and gas projects to innovative options like green hydrogen transport or even potash slurry infrastructure. “These are the things that we can signal to the private sector we're open to having a discussion about,” he said after his remarks.

A two-way corridor is under consideration, Kinew noted, with potential for Manitoba's low-carbon hydroelectricity to be shipped westward to neighboring Prairie provinces, in addition to pipelines carrying energy resources east to Hudson Bay ports. The variety of proposals reflects Manitoba’s ambition to play a central role in reshaping Canada’s export strategy amid shifting interprovincial relations.

However, pipeline expansion in northern Manitoba faces significant hurdles. Environmental concerns are prominent, given the ecological sensitivity of the Hudson Bay coastline and the protection afforded to large areas like Wapusk National Park. Any development in the region is expected to prompt scrutiny from environmental groups and Indigenous communities, raising questions about the feasibility and sustainability of new infrastructure.

In a related development, Kinew announced to business leaders that Manitoba is nearing completion of a memorandum of understanding with British Columbia to reduce trade barriers, following a similar pact with Ontario. These agreements are part of a broader initiative to enable freer movement of goods and services between provinces, a goal echoed by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent commitment to dismantle internal trade barriers nationwide by Canada Day. Such moves are seen as critical steps to strengthen Canada’s economic competitiveness both at home and internationally.