Good Jobs, Lower Costs, Better Health Care: Manitoba Budget 2026

Press Release

March 24, 2026

The Manitoba government is making major new investments to strengthen rural and northern communities, marking the third consecutive year of increased municipal support, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced today.

“Our government is investing in the strength of rural and northern Manitoba,” said Sala. “These communities deserve reliable infrastructure, good jobs and health care they can count on. Budget 2026 delivers real support to help families build a stronger future, close to home.”

Budget 2026 raises municipal funding by close to $6 million, bringing total base support to $198 million by 2026-27, along with new commitments for water infrastructure, Northern Affairs communities and the Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) program.

Starting July 1, the Manitoba government will remove the provincial sales tax off all food at the grocery store including previously taxed items like rotisserie chicken, sandwiches and samosas.

Improving rural and northern health care continues to be a priority and Budget 2026 outlines several initiatives to continue the provincial commitment to improving the quality of health care in rural and northern Manitoba.

While physician recruitment and retention are at an all-time high, Budget 2026 adds an additional $6.3 million to recruit more doctors to Manitoba. The budget also invests $4.2 million to build a new emergency room at E.M. Crowe Hospital in Eriksdale and provides funding for new training pathways for nurses, paramedics and internationally trained physicians. Major capital projects include the construction or expansion of health centres in Portage la Prairie, Neepawa, Brandon, Winkler/Morden and Thompson.

Agricultural producers are the backbone of Manitoba’s economy, which is why Budget 2026 will freeze Crown land leases for the third year in a row. Producers will also benefit from the continuation of both the 50 per cent School Tax Rebate for farm properties and the Farmland School Tax Rebate.

Additional funding includes:

• $45.6 million for AgriStability to help Manitoba producers manage the risks of changing weather and markets;
• $71.8 million for AgriInsurance to lower premiums and protect producers against crop production shortfalls caused by natural perils;
• $18.5 million for AgriInvest to help producers manage minor income fluctuations; and
• $7.8 million for the Wildlife Damage Compensation program to expand eligibility for claims on agricultural losses from predatory wildlife.

To encourage young Manitobans to enter the agriculture sector, Budget 2026 increases the cap on the Young Farmers Rebate to $425,000 from $400,000 and the lifetime maximum rebate rises to $42,500 from $40,000.

Last year’s record investment in rural and northern infrastructure continues to grow Manitoba’s economy and create jobs as the Manitoba government builds the roads and bridges rural and northern families and communities need. Budget 2026 will fund $3.8 billion in capital investments including upgrades to the Deloraine-Winchester Airport, twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway to Ontario, rebuilding Provincial Trunk Highway 2 in southwest Manitoba and $4 million for the design of the Carberry overpass.

A federal-provincial investment in 2025 of $76.9 million in water and wastewater capacity across rural Manitoba will continue to create jobs. Budget 2026 provides for regional allocations including $22 million for the Red-Seine-Rat East Water and Wastewater Treatment network, $22 million for the Pembina Valley Water Co-op capital plan and $4.4 million for the Morden-Winkler sewer line, as well as other wastewater capacity projects totalling $28.5 million.

Budget 2026 includes $262.5 million in federal and provincial funding over five years for the Arctic Gateway Group to develop the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay rail line. Upgrades to the port and rail line are moving forward and making significant advancements to prepare Manitoba for major commercial investments in the Port of Churchill.

To keep building the momentum for the project and attract even more private-sector interest, Budget 2026 creates a new $10-million Churchill Catalyst Fund and commits to federal-provincial funding to construct a new critical minerals storage facility at the Port of Churchill. On the trade front, Budget 2026 invests $450,000 in operating funding for Centreport Canada to attract new investment and enhance the Churchill trade corridor.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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