Invest in Manitoba

Manitoba’s Protein Advantage

The Manitoba government envisions a province where well-managed businesses thrive. Through its efforts, it has made meaningful improvements to taxation, red tape, infrastructure, the labour force, and market access.

• Diverse and Dynamic Economy: Manitoba is a developed, diverse and dynamic economy with stable economic growth. Key components of the economy include manufacturing, agriculture, hydroelectricity, and natural resources.
• Excellent Universities and Colleges and Internationally Recognized Research Facilities: With world-class research facilities, students can choose from a wide range of post-graduate programs.
• Competitive Business Costs: Businesses in Manitoba enjoy very competitive costs for industrial space, labour, utilities, and more. The government also offers generous incentives for research and development and manufacturing investments.
• Central Location and Solid Transportation Infrastructure: Manitoba has well-developed rail and road infrastructure that proficiently transports goods across Canada to the U.S. Midwest and Mexico. In addition, the province has a 24-hour international airport, a 20,000-acre inland port, intermodal rail, and a northern seaport.
• Clean Energy: Over 99 per cent of Manitoba's electricity comes from renewable sources like hydroelectricity and wind generation, and the industrial electricity rates are among the lowest in North America.
• Well-educated, Highly-skilled Workforce: Approximately half of the working-age population in Manitoba has post-secondary education. Investments in workforce development, post-secondary education, and immigration ensure a continuous supply of talented workers.
• Great Place to Live: Living costs in Manitoba are affordable, and there are many cultural, sporting, and recreational opportunities.

Explore the following links to learn more about Manitoba's protein industry

• Leading Investments in Manitoba’s Protein Industry
• Funding a Thriving Protein Sector
• New Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program
• Protein Industries Canada
• Success in Manitoba’s Protein Industry
• Regional Economic Profiles

Leading Investments in Manitoba’s Protein Industry

• $7 million by True North Foods to expand their cattle harvesting facility in Carman.
• $10 million by Burnbrae Farms Limited to increase their egg processing and grading capacity in Winnipeg.
• $4 million by NutriPea LP to increase their pea protein processing capacity in Portage la Prairie.
• $182 million by Maple Leaf Foods to expand the Bacon Centre of Excellence in Winnipeg.
• $600 million by Roquette Canada to construct the world’s largest pea protein processing facility in Portage la Prairie.
• $212.5 million by HyLife Foods to expand pork processing in Neepawa and feed and pig production in southwestern Manitoba.
• $100 million by MDI Holdings Inc. to construct a dairy processing facility in Winnipeg.
• $50 million by Parmalat to construct a fluid milk plant in Winnipeg.
• $85 million by Paterson GlobalFoods to construct an oat processing plant in Winnipeg.
• $52.8 million by Winkler Meats to expand their facility in southern Manitoba.

Funding a Thriving Protein Sector

Project ASPIRE (Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact and Results), the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy's implementation plan, is currently working to drive investments into cutting-edge protein research and innovation, capital assets and equipment, infrastructure, and more. These investments are driven through industry-led ASPIRE Roundtables for Sustainable Protein. These Roundtables prioritize specific actions as laid out in the Strategy and execute tangible projects that contribute to growth across the plant and animal protein sectors.

Contact us if you are interested in learning more about the Project ASPIRE Roundtables for Sustainable Protein. Since 2019, Manitoba's protein industry has grown by $1.02 billion in new investments and 1,072 new jobs. Our goal is to nurture a supportive investment environment to reach $1.5 billion in new investments and 1,550 new jobs by 2025.

New Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program

The Government of Canada and Manitoba have recently announced a new $221 million agreement that focuses on strategic agricultural initiatives within Manitoba. This collaboration is operating under the innovative framework of the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The Sustainable CAP entails a substantial five-year commitment of $3.5 billion from Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments, specifically aimed at supporting Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. Visit our page for more information on the available programs, and follow Manitoba Agriculture on twitter for new program and intake announcements.

Protein Industries Canada

The Manitoba government is part of Protein Industries Canada, a $485-million consortium that supports value-added agriculture projects and enhances Canada's position as a world leader in plant protein. Over $59.8 million has been invested in Manitoba's protein industry by Protein Industries Canada to construct plant protein facilities, address nutrition and processing challenges, develop crop varieties that combine high yield potential with high protein content, and explore blended plant protein products.

Success in Manitoba’s Protein Industry

The Success of the World’s Largest Pea Protein Manufacturing Plant in Portage la Prairie