Manitoba’s "Mine, Baby, Mine" Moment: A Shift Toward Saskatchewan-Style Growth
Premier Wab Kinew shifts focus to resource-led growth, sparking a high-stakes debate over regulatory speed versus provincial standards.

Manitoba is looking to dig its way to economic prosperity, with Premier Wab Kinew borrowing a page from the playbook of its western neighbor, Saskatchewan.
At a recent Manitoba Chambers of Commerce event in Winnipeg, the Premier struck a candid, if provocative, chord, telling the room that "Mine, baby, mine" ought to be the province’s new motto. Signaling a shift in focus from his government's initial preoccupation with health care, Kinew indicated that his administration is prepared to prune the regulatory thicket currently surrounding the mining sector. The objective is to unlock the province’s potential for critical minerals, including nickel and potash, alongside the burgeoning interest in naturally occurring hydrogen.
The Premier’s rationale for this pivot centers on competitive urgency. To compete on the global stage, Kinew pointed toward countries like China and Russia, suggesting that Canada could learn from their ability to dream big, set aggressive timelines, and execute large-scale infrastructure projects with speed. He framed the upcoming regulatory review as a common-sense exercise, questioning the utility of any rules that do not directly advance health and safety or fulfill constitutional obligations.




