Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Dialogue Background Statements

Background events that led to this Dialogue:

1. The Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy lays out how Manitoba can become a global leader in sustainable protein: enhancing environmental and social welfare while attracting new investment and opening up new economic opportunities. 
2. The government of Manitoba established the Protein Consortium to coordinate the Strategy and engaged over 100 stakeholders in its creation. A Strategic Advisory Body representing all protein sectors provided focused input and continues to be engaged. 
3. Water is noted specifically 13 times as an important priority in the Strategy.
4. Water has been identified by the Premier of Manitoba as critical, as articulated in the Throne Speech released on November 24, 2021:

“Water strategies and investments not only combat droughts but ensure safe water for communities and enable more investments. Our Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy will not continue to attract investment unless we guarantee water for our producers and processors.”

“Investments in roads and bridges, and water and waste systems are the underpinnings of our economic growth strategy and improve our quality of life. Proposals for much-needed municipal investments are now before federal and provincial governments. Timely decisions are critical to post-COVID economic recovery and our ability to attract investments…”

Protein Processing Industry

5. Manitoba’s goal for investment attraction is $1.5B in new investments in protein production and processing, and to create 1,550 new jobs by 2025. From 2019 to March 2021, Manitoba has attracted $675 million in investment, and has created 667 jobs. Combined, these results contribute to 45% of our 2025 goals.