The Manitoba government is rolling out new tax incentives aimed at attracting billions of dollars in private investment to the ambitious Port of Churchill Plus project, positioning the northern Manitoba gateway as a key trade corridor connecting Canada to global markets.
Speaking at the Canadian Global Growth Forum in Toronto, Premier Wab Kinew announced that major capital investments tied to the project will be exempt from Manitoba’s provincial sales tax. The measure is designed to encourage investors to participate in what the province describes as the largest project featured at this year’s Canada Investment Summit.
The tax exemption would apply to several major infrastructure components, including a proposed energy corridor and liquefied natural gas facilities, upgrades to the Hudson Bay Railway to support Class 1 rail service, and new marine icebreaking capacity or specialized ice-class vessels needed to expand year-round shipping through Churchill.
“The Port of Churchill is open and ready to expand,” said Kinew. “With the right investments, we can move commodities year-round, strengthen trade relationships with reliable partners, and create good jobs for Manitobans.”
Provincial officials note that grain and critical minerals shipped through Churchill can already reach European markets faster than cargo moving through the Port of Vancouver. New studies estimate the transportation upgrades required for year-round operations would cost between $100 million and $130 million.
The announcement comes as Manitoba courts international investors managing more than US$13 trillion in assets at the Toronto summit. Alongside the Churchill project, the province is promoting a portfolio of mining, infrastructure and agricultural opportunities valued at more than $85 billion.
Joining the Manitoba delegation are Finance Minister Adrien Sala, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses, Indigenous leaders from across the province, and representatives from Manitoba’s business community.
The province hopes the new incentives will help transform Churchill into a year-round northern trade hub while driving economic growth, job creation and export opportunities across Manitoba.
