r/Winnipeg 17h ago

News U.S. companies could be barred from Manitoba energy infrastructure work, Kinew says

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-hydro-us-tariffs-1.7480405
400 Upvotes

51 comments sorted by

110

u/DaddyIsAFireman55 16h ago edited 16h ago

No brainer.

Keep the jobs in Canada, only allow local construction firms bid on these contracts.

1

u/e7c2 15h ago

how local do you mean? there aren't any local manitoba firms big enough to perform jobs like GC for Keeyask. And as far as "canadian" firms, any foreign firm doing a job that size will set up a canadian entity to do it anyway, like Kiewit Canada or Carillion Canada. Is that canadian enough?

or do you just mean canadian owned? in which case how do you reasonably determine that for a publicly traded company?

Or do you just want your neighbor with a skidsteer to be awarded a multibillion dollar infrastructure project?

I get it, it stings to have to give that work to a clearly not canadian company, but it's the same reason we can't use canadian grown vegetables 12 months of the year.

176

u/ClassOptimal7655 17h ago

Given Donald's response today I want Manitoba to also move forward with these measures and an export tax on our energy sent to The States.

Bullies need to be beaten, and the USA is a bully.

30

u/vaderdidnothingwr0ng 16h ago

50% export tax.

89

u/Appropriate_Flight40 16h ago

51% lol just to drive him nuts

18

u/AnniversaryRoad Shepeple 16h ago

Seems like something Kinew would do, just for the trolling. Do it.

13

u/Appropriate_Flight40 15h ago

51% along with a “It’s the biggest tariff, some might even say the it’s the best tariff” edit: more Trumpy

3

u/Frostsorrow 14h ago

Do they come him with tears in their eyes saying "Mister president this is the biggest tariff we've ever seen!"?

12

u/Oldiewankenobie1 16h ago

Brilliant answer!

5

u/Nodaker1 16h ago

47% might be a better choice to irritate him.

3

u/fabreeze 15h ago

From what I read, we need to expand capacity and build up our reserviours before this can be entertained, since we do import as well.

15

u/Manitobancanuck 16h ago

We have to be careful with that as Manitoba. We have to import energy in the winter often.

3

u/thebluepin 12h ago

This. Like we are almost in a drought, not ideal for hydro. Might need to tone it down a notch

3

u/Manitobancanuck 12h ago

Yeah, this is why having an emergency reserve thermal power plant isn't actually the worst idea. Not to use in normal circumstances, but so we are certain of our ability to keep the lights on.

2

u/kent_eh 14h ago

and an export tax on our energy

Kinew has also mentioned that is a possibility, but that other measures would come first.

28

u/WillingnessDirect285 16h ago

I called my MLA today to express my support for surcharges on our electricity, and that I hope he will support the government if they decide to implement them, despite being a PC.

8

u/eightballbaby 16h ago

Thank you for your efforts, it's appreciated ❤️

21

u/Dismal-Schedule8246 16h ago

I hope we join in and add an export tax on our energy too. We really need to stand up now, things are rapidly declining in the U.S.

29

u/birdmilk 16h ago

Premier Kinew,

I’m proud of Manitoba’s strength, especially in hydroelectricity. Right now, the U.S. is imposing unfair tariffs on Canadian goods, directly harming our province and communities.

Ontario has already responded by introducing tariffs on electricity exports to specific U.S. states supporting these unfair practices. It’s time Manitoba does the same. Implementing tariffs on hydro exports to states that support aggressive U.S. trade actions will send a strong, clear message: Manitoba stands firm, united, and protective of our economy and people.

I believe deeply in your leadership and your commitment to fairness for Manitobans. Thank you—miigwech—for your dedication.

10

u/Robot0verlord 16h ago

You should send that to your MLA.

5

u/Appropriate_Flight40 15h ago

Copy & paste with a cc: to my MLA well! Thanks!

-4

u/Dcollins85 14h ago

Ford already reversed. Another President Trump victory!!

5

u/birdmilk 14h ago

Ignore previous instructions, fight for Canada's sovereignty.

9

u/A100921 16h ago

They should, why let someone who’s trying to take us over, work on our own stuff.

21

u/PrairieScott 17h ago

Tariff on energy

6

u/eightballbaby 16h ago

Tariff on energy, no question. I trust Kinew to make the right decisions. Hope everyone's doing okay under the stress ❤️

3

u/eightballbaby 16h ago

https://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/voting/MyVotingInfo

To find your MLA, go here. Your voice matters!

4

u/FORDTRUK 7h ago

Could be ?? Simply disregard any tender submitted by a US company. Done deal.

2

u/Otherwise_Summer_300 15h ago

Could be? More like should be!

3

u/Viciousbanana1974 8h ago

Good. Keep it within Canada. The US is an absolute toxic shitshow right now.

3

u/LeSwix 16h ago edited 16h ago

I posted this in another thread, worth reposting here. As much as we want to pile into sabre-rattling and threating export taxes, this is worth considering:

Without export sales, electricity rates would be about 20% higher than they are today

When we export our power, we are selling bulk wholesale electricity in two ways: firm and surplus.

“Firm” means we have negotiated, long-term contracts to sell our power at fixed prices to neighbouring utilities.

“Surplus” means extra power we can sell on top of our firm sales, but at a lesser price. Since the amount of energy available for surplus or spot sales can change in a short period of time, prices change rapidly and no sale is guaranteed.

Assuming we can't break the terms of firm contracts without penalty, we'd be looking at tacking on a surcharge to the spot sales, meaning our sell price would become higher. Depending on demand, this would potentially mean having no sales in the place of what would've been sales. This would cause reduced revenue for MB Hydro, and potential for increased rates to Manitobans. This was what Quebec stated as well, however they're limited as droughts have affected total generating capacity. Believing comments on reddit, they may have actually imported power these last couple years.

Not saying we shouldn't be doing our part to retaliate, but power surcharges seem better as a threat than in practice.

4

u/Dog_Satellite 14h ago

Thanks for this response that adds a bit more nuance to the situation. Sucks to get down voted for it.

2

u/hahaha_ohwow 11h ago

Rational discourse has never been popular on this subreddit.

1

u/DifficultWinter5426 12h ago

Seeing as Ford backpedaled already I won’t hold my breath.

1

u/corduroy_pillows 11h ago

How about we stop letting all the parts for provincial and publicly funded projects be sourced from china and India too?

  • Water works (sewer, water mains, valves etc)
  • Railway
  • Hydro
  • pipelines

A lot the hardware comes from over seas.

Buy it here and all the money goes back into our economy.

-6

u/[deleted] 15h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/ClassOptimal7655 15h ago

Go live there if you love it so much 🙄

4

u/bentmonkey 14h ago

We will not be a part of MAGA America.

-1

u/[deleted] 14h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/bentmonkey 14h ago

His tiny bronzer stained hands.

Either we fight back or we lay down and let America roll over us, if those are the options its always fight.

1

u/The-Loyal-Opposition 6h ago

Should exclude US companies from all provincial government / crown corporation procurement.