WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government says it will now have to approve any major power agreements between Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro and utilities in the United States.
The NDP government has issued a directive to Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro that says cabinet approval is now needed for any new major power purchase or export contract, or any extensions or cancellations of existing deals.
Premier Wab Kinew says the ongoing threats of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump require pushback, and the new directive is one tool.
Manitoba is not going as far as Ontario, which is applying a 25 per cent extra charge on electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans.
Kinew says he’s not ruling out further measures but is also keeping in mind the money and jobs that are tied to energy exports.
Manitoba has already pulled U.S. alcohol products from liquor stores as a retaliatory move, and Kinew says future possibilities include restricting U.S. companies from getting contracts with the province.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025
