Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew speaks to media prior to the First Minister’s Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards)
Construction is getting underway this week on three new schools in Winnipeg, with site development also beginning in Brandon, the province announced on Monday.
Premier Wab Kinew said work is starting less than a year after the projects were announced, which include schools in Winnipeg’s Devonshire Park and Prairie Pointe neighbourhoods, West St. Paul’s Meadowlands area, and southwest Brandon. All four will be constructed at the same time using a standardized design.
The province says five construction contracts have been awarded so far, with a mix of open and closed shop companies.
Under the Manitoba Jobs Agreement, contractors must prioritize Manitoba workers and meet wage, benefit and safety standards comparable to those in unionized construction. The policy is intended to increase local employment, support apprenticeships and ensure consistent working conditions across major public projects.
“When you put in a hard day’s work, you should be able to earn a good wage and afford a good life, that’s what Manitoba Jobs Agreements are all about,” said Kinew.
The province says MJAs will also be used on future major projects, including the redevelopment of the Victoria Hospital emergency department.
