Invest in Manitoba

 

Manitoba’s Protein Advantage

The Manitoba government envisions a province where well-managed businesses thrive. Through its efforts, it has made meaningful improvements to taxation, red tape, infrastructure, the labour force and market access.

Diverse and Dynamic Economy

Manitoba is a developed, diverse and dynamic economy with stable economic growth. Key components of the economy include manufacturing, agriculture, hydroelectricity and natural resources.

Excellent Universities and Colleges and Internationally Recognized Research Facilities

With world-class research facilities, students can choose from a wide range of post-graduate programs.

Competitive Business Costs

Businesses in Manitoba enjoy very competitive costs for industrial space, labour, utilities and more. The government also offers generous incentives for research and development and manufacturing investments.

Central Location and Solid Transportation Infrastructure 

Manitoba has well-developed rail and road infrastructure that proficiently transports goods across Canada to the U.S. Midwest and Mexico. In addition, the province has a 24-hour international airport, a 20,000-acre inland port, intermodal rail and a northern seaport.

 

Nearly 99 per cent of Manitoba's electricity comes from renewable hydroelectric sources, and the industrial electricity rates are among the lowest in North America.

Well-educated, Highly-skilled Workforce

Approximately half of the working-age population in Manitoba has post-secondary education. Investments in workforce development, post-secondary education and immigration ensure a continuous supply of talented workers.

Great Place to Live 

Living costs in Manitoba are affordable, and there are many cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities.

Leading Investments in Manitoba’s Protein Industry

• $7 million by True North Foods to expand their cattle harvesting facility in Carman.
• $10 million by Burnbrae Farms Limited to increase their egg processing and grading capacity in Winnipeg.
• $4 million by NutriPea LP to increase their pea protein processing capacity in Portage la Prairie.
• $195 million by Maple Leaf Foods to expand the Bacon Centre of Excellence in Winnipeg.
• $600 million by Roquette Canada to construct the world’s largest pea protein processing facility in Portage la Prairie.
• $212.5 million by HyLife Foods to expand pork processing in Neepawa and feed and pig production in southwestern Manitoba.
• $102 million by Merit Functional Foods to construct a pea and canola protein processing facility in Rosser.
• $100 million by MDI Holdings Inc. to construct a dairy processing facility in Winnipeg.
• $50 million by Parmalat to construct a fluid milk plant in Winnipeg.
• $85 million by Paterson GlobalFoods to construct an oat processing plant in Winnipeg.

 

Funding a Thriving Protein Sector

Project ASPIRE, the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy's implementation plan, is currently working to drive investments into cutting-edge protein research and innovation, capital assets and equipment, infrastructure, and more. These investments are driven through industry-led ASPIRE Roundtables for Sustainable Protein. These Roundtables prioritize specific actions as laid out in the Strategy and execute tangible projects that contribute to growth across the plant and animal protein sectors.

Contact us if you are interested in learning more about the Project ASPIRE Roundtables for Sustainable Protein. Since 2019, Manitoba's protein industry has grown by $753 million in new investments and 840 new jobs. Our goal is to nurture a supportive investment environment to reach $1.5 billion in new investments and 1,550 new jobs by 2025.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program (Ag Action Manitoba)

Ag Action Manitoba is a five-year investment program worth $176 million for Manitoba's agriculture and agri-food sector. In Manitoba, the program provides funds to assist industry service providers in implementing and adopting beneficial management practices (BMPs) to improve the value and health of agricultural land. Researchers, ag-processors, farmers, industry associations, industry service providers and department-directed users are eligible to apply for funding.

From 2018 to 2021, Ag Action Manitoba funded 853 projects totalling over $43.8 million in the following categories:

• Capital Assets and Equipment: 44 projects totalling over $10.2 million
• Assurance — Environment: 453 projects totalling over $3.5 million
• Assurance — Food Safety: 24 projects totalling over $200,000
• Assurance — Plant and Animal Health: 71 projects totalling over $234,000
• Total Department-directed Projects: 17 projects totalling over $6.3 million
• Distribution and Marketing: one project totalling $48,750
• Industry Development: 21 projects totalling $2.46 million
• Market Development: 21 projects totalling $310,100
• Organization Development: seven projects totalling $103,542
• Research and Innovation: 120 projects totalling over $19.9 million
• Resource Development: eight projects totalling $112,346
• Training: 23 projects totalling $206,157
• Training and Consultation: 42 projects totalling $41,558
• Hospitality Grant: one project totalling $13,000

Protein Industries Canada

The Manitoba government is part of Protein Industries Canada, a $485-million consortium that supports value-added agriculture projects and enhances Canada's position as a world leader in plant protein. Over $59.8 million has been invested in Manitoba's protein industry by Protein Industries Canada to construct plant protein facilities, address nutrition and processing challenges, develop crop varieties that combine high yield potential with high protein content, and explore blended plant protein products.

Success in Manitoba’s Protein Industry

New Cutting-edge Pea and Canola Protein Production Facility at Merit Functional Foods

Merit Functional Foods completed a state-of-the-art plant protein manufacturing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the last quarter of 2020. As the first and only commercial facility capable of producing food-grade canola protein in Manitoba, the 94,000-square-foot facility is a rising player in the plant-based protein ingredient sector. Read here...

The Success of the World’s Largest Pea Protein Manufacturing Plant in Portage la Prairie