Wab Kinew’s Letter Was a Good Start, But Results Are What Matter

Let’s give Premier Wab Kinew credit for something important: he sent a strong letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney outlining Manitoba’s priorities for economic development. It’s the right move. We’ve sat on our northern mineral wealth for too long while other provinces fast-tracked projects and built real momentum. Kinew called Manitoba the “Costco of critical minerals.” That may be true—but if the shelves stay stocked and locked up, the customers will go elsewhere.

Here’s the issue: we don’t need more positioning. We need action. Kinew has the tools right now to advance mining projects in Manitoba. He doesn’t have to wait for Ottawa’s permission to get moving. The regulatory system, the provincial permitting process, the investment promotion—it all runs through his government. And if he's serious about economic development, now is the time to start approving projects, clearing the logjams, and getting minerals out of the ground.

The market isn’t waiting. Demand for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt is skyrocketing globally. These are the building blocks of electric vehicles, batteries, and next-generation clean energy. The U.S. and EU are scrambling to lock down sources. Canada has the supply—but whether Manitoba plays a serious role is entirely up to us.

Look at other provinces. Ontario created a dedicated Critical Minerals Strategy in 2022 and expanded it in 2023 with concrete goals: cutting red tape, speeding up project approvals, and integrating Indigenous participation. They launched the Mining Act Modernization initiative to shorten permitting timelines without compromising environmental reviews. Multiple projects in the Ring of Fire region are now moving ahead with First Nations as equity partners.

Saskatchewan didn’t sit on its hands either. It set up the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Fund and streamlined exploration permits to keep the process under 90 days. The result? Dozens of new claims and investments in lithium and rare earth exploration that are already bringing jobs into rural communities.

Meanwhile, what has Manitoba done? We have the minerals, we have the talent, and we have proximity to major markets—but we’ve been too slow to act. The industry has said it for years: Manitoba is one of the hardest places in Canada to get a mining project off the ground. The Fraser Institute’s 2023 mining survey ranked Manitoba near the bottom of Canadian provinces for policy attractiveness. That’s not because of Ottawa. That’s squarely on the provincial government.

That’s why Kinew’s letter must be more than words. He doesn’t need a handshake in Saskatoon or a press release from Ottawa to kick-start mining approvals in northern Manitoba. He can—and should—do it now. If the province truly wants to be a leader, it needs to start issuing permits faster, clarifying timelines for environmental assessments, and offering investment certainty.

The Premier must engage Indigenous communities from day one. Not just consultation—real partnerships. Shared governance, revenue-sharing agreements, and workforce development strategies that give Indigenous people ownership and opportunity. That’s the way forward. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s the only way this works.

Kinew’s proposal for Indigenous fair-trade zones and development around the Port of Churchill is promising. But without provincial groundwork—permits, infrastructure, training—none of it happens. We don’t need another multi-year vision with no deadlines. We need to cut the red tape, fast-track viable projects, and create a path to sustainable jobs in communities that have been waiting too long for economic inclusion.

The federal government can and should support northern development. Carney’s pledge to remove interprovincial trade barriers and streamline major project reviews is a step in the right direction. But the Premier shouldn’t let Manitoba’s future hinge on the next federal funding round or another policy framework. He already has the mandate and authority to drive this forward.

While we’re at it, every political party in Manitoba should be backing this push. If there was ever a moment to put political aspirations aside and focus on the common good, it’s now. Let’s not squander it with partisan bickering or delay tactics. Manitoba needs the jobs. Manitoba needs the investment. And Manitoba’s future depends on unlocking the full potential of the North—with Indigenous governments, business leaders, and every level of government working together.

This is not a time for careful speeches or staged announcements. It’s time for permits, shovels, and progress. We need to hear less about potential and see more proof of action.

Premier Kinew, your letter was a good first step. But you have the power to turn ambition into results. Other provinces aren’t waiting, and we can’t afford to either. Let’s make Manitoba a leader in critical minerals—not just in theory, but in practice. The clock is ticking.