Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was in Brandon Thursday (May 16) for his state of the province address. At the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, he announced an additional $7.4-million in funding for Brandon University and $2-million for Assiniboine Community College.
Kinew said the government stepped up with more money after both Brandon schools felt they were short-changed in this year’s budget.
The Brandon Sun reports today (May 17) that “during a question-and-answer session with chamber president Lois Ruston, Kinew spoke about his government’s recent international trade mission to Washington, D.C.
Kinew said, “The one thing that they agreed on was trade with Canada and they really valued Manitoba as a trusted trading partner.” According to him, states recognized Manitoba’s value in agricultural trade as well as a source of critical minerals, low-carbon energy and a young, educated workforce.”
The Sun also says that “Ruston asked about the province’s willingness to work with municipalities on infrastructure, with communities like Brandon needing upgrades to things like water and sewer services so that they can continue to grow and build new housing. Though Kinew did not make any specific commitments, he said he’s heard about those needs “loud and clear from municipal leaders” and that when his government makes investments, it’s going to support more housing starts.”
“He said the province is making the case to the federal government to create a successor program to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help get dollars into place quickly, praising the recent announcement of the Canada Infrastructure Bank providing Brandon and other communities with low-interest loans to help build water-related projects,” according to the Sun.
The final Chamber of Commerce luncheon will feature a state of the chamber address from Lois Ruston at the Victoria Inn on June 3rd.
