Premier Wab Kinew says he wants to “Trump-proof” Manitoba’s economy. That sounds bold, but it requires more than press conferences and slogans. It requires action, discipline, and leadership. Kinew needs to get to work.
This will not be done through daily media appearances, empty promises, or government handouts. It will not be done by running larger deficits, handing money to special interest groups, or increasing the size of government. It will only be done through fiscal responsibility, a strong growth plan, and a commitment to making Manitoba an attractive place to do business. Right now, that is not happening.
Kinew promised to balance the budget when elected in 2023. He has failed. Instead, the province’s deficit is now half a billion dollars higher than what was projected. That is not the path to a strong economy. That is the path to economic collapse. If he is serious about strengthening Manitoba, he needs to cut government spending. The government cannot hand out money like it grows on trees. It has to be earned. It has to come from economic growth, not endless borrowing.
A smaller government is a stronger government. Right now, Manitoba is too dependent on government jobs. That is why the province continues to run deficits. When the government grows too big, the private sector suffers. More government workers mean more tax dollars being spent on wages, benefits, and pensions. That means fewer dollars available for infrastructure, healthcare, schools, and services that actually help people. Kinew needs to reduce the size of the public sector, not expand it. That is what real leadership looks like.
If he wants to build the economy, he needs to start with mining. Mining is one of Manitoba’s greatest untapped resources. The minerals in the ground are worth billions. But instead of fast-tracking projects, the government buries companies in red tape and delays. It takes far too long to get approvals for new mining projects. That makes investors look elsewhere. That needs to change. Kinew must cut through the bureaucratic mess and open Manitoba for business. Selling the resources under our feet is how we generate wealth. It is how we create jobs. It is how we build a stronger economy.
But it is not just mining. Kinew must make Manitoba business friendly. Right now, unions rule this province. Kinew put union leaders on government boards. He put a union leader on his council on U.S. trade. He owes them. Unions spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get him elected. But he cannot build the economy by letting unions dictate policy. That will drive business away. Public sector unions are responsible for rising deficits and ballooning government wages. That is unsustainable. He will have to make tough choices, and if he does not, businesses will leave. And when businesses leave, jobs go with them.
Kinew’s government passed legislation preventing businesses from operating during a strike. That is a disaster. What manufacturer would open in Manitoba knowing they could be shut down whenever workers walk off the job? That law must be reversed. It is anti-business. It makes Manitoba a less attractive place to invest. That, along with payroll taxes, is driving businesses south. Why invest in Manitoba when other places have lower taxes and less government interference? The answer is simple: they won’t. That is why the economy is struggling.
Winnipeg's business tax adds to the burden. Taxes like these prevent businesses from opening. Investors look for places with low taxes, clear regulations, and a government that supports growth. Right now, Manitoba fails on all three. Just look at Centre Port; the RM side of the Centre Port lands is thriving, and many businesses have opened up shop. The Winnipeg side? Well, there is lots and lots of vacant land. Do you need more proof than that? We are pushing businesses away instead of inviting them in. That is the problem Kinew must solve.
Politicians love to talk, but talk does not create jobs. Politicians love to promise, but promises do not build businesses. If Kinew truly wants to protect Manitoba’s economy, he must grow it. That means reducing government spending, balancing the budget, cutting taxes, and making Manitoba a place where businesses want to invest. This is not complicated, and it is not difficult to understand. It is simple: a strong economy is built by the private sector, not the government.
So, Premier Kinew, you say you want to protect the economy? Then, start proving it. Stop spending money you don’t have. Stop making it harder for businesses to operate. Start cutting red tape. Start fast-tracking mining. Start lowering taxes. The people of Manitoba and the business community are watching. It is time to show that you are serious about making Manitoba strong and will do what it takes to protect our future.