Manitoba Government Supporting Interprovincial Trade Missions

As part of Budget 2026, the Manitoba government is investing $500,000 to help businesses reach more Canadian markets, Finance Minister Adrien Sala and Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced today.

"Manitoba businesses are ready to grow and our government is making sure they have the tools to do it," said Sala. "By investing in interprovincial trade missions, we're helping local companies reach new customers, strengthen supply chains and keep more economic activity in Canada. At a time of global uncertainty, this is about building a more resilient, self-reliant economy that works for Manitoba workers and businesses alike."

The Manitoba government's investment helps the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) lead its interprovincial trade missions supporting Manitoba businesses. In collaboration with the Alberta and Saskatchewan chambers of commerce, these missions will help Manitoba businesses expand into other Canadian markets and reduce barriers to interprovincial trade.

"Manitoba's small- and medium-sized businesses have incredible potential to expand beyond our borders, and we're proud to help open those doors," said Moses. "These trade missions will connect Manitoba companies with new partners and opportunities across the country, making it easier to grow, create jobs and compete. By working with our provincial partners, we're also cutting red tape and making interprovincial trade more seamless than ever."

Trade missions facilitated by MCC will generate economic benefits supporting approximately 120 Manitoba small- and medium-sized businesses to increase interprovincial sales, diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on U.S. markets, the ministers noted.

The trade missions will also contribute to job retention and creation, particularly among export-ready and growth-oriented firms by helping Manitoba businesses gain access into other Canadian markets, the minister noted.

"The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has been delivering trade missions within Manitoba since 2018, connecting businesses and communities across the province. This support from the Manitoba government will allow us to expand that work nationally through curated interprovincial market access missions that help Manitoba businesses reach new Canadian markets," said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, MCC. "This is an outcome-driven initiative, focused on targeted economic opportunities, creating warm introductions through trusted chamber networks and providing sustained support to turn those connections into real business opportunities and long-term growth."

In Budget 2025, the Manitoba government committed to partnering with other provinces to reduce trade barriers while reducing procurement from the United States. To date, the Manitoba government has passed the Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and has signed memorandums of understanding with Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island to reduce internal trade barriers.

As of the third quarter update, the Manitoba government had reduced procurement from the United States by nearly 30 per cent, the ministers noted.

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