Manitoba government investing $150M to help protect agriculture jobs in face of tariffs

The Manitoba government announced it will invest more than $150 million in support of agriculture jobs, to help handle tariffs imposed by the United States and China.

The province says it will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programs such as AgriInsurance and AgriInvest.

“We’re standing up for Westman and Western Canada, and protecting your jobs,” said Kinew. “With $150 million in supports for agriculture, we’re making sure that farmers and producers can weather the economic uncertainty we’re facing and protecting jobs in the agriculture industry.”

Premier Wab Kinew says some of the money is being used to align with federal government changes in the cap and threshold on aid. Kinew says the recent provincial budget has another $90 million set aside as a contingency for farmers and producers if the impact of tariffs grows.

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

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

“These are ways that we can protect our economy. We can insulate against the shock of tariffs and give our economy time to adjust,” Kinew said Wednesday.

The premier also stated the province will work with Keystone Agricultural Producers by looking for opportunities to remove regulatory barriers, advancing trade work in Manitoba’s interest, and helping to deliver policies and investments.

“As Manitoba’s general farm organization, advocating for the interests of all Manitoba farmers is our top priority,” said Colin Hornby, the general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers. “We are committed to working collaboratively with the Manitoba government to have the perspectives of all Manitoba farmers reflected in any government efforts to address today’s trade challenges and we thank them for giving us a seat at the table.”

The premier added Manitoba’s total support for agriculture producers is set at around $250 million in order to combat tariffs and ensure the province maintains its agriculture.

–With files from The Canadian Press