Premier Kinew Commits to Building K-8 School with Local Workers

The construction of a new K-8 school in the southwest corner of Brandon, Manitoba, will be carried out by local workers, according to a pledge made by Premier Wab Kinew on Tuesday. This commitment aims to bolster the local economy and create jobs while navigating challenges such as tariffs from the United States. Kinew announced the initiative during a press conference in Winnipeg, emphasizing the importance of supporting Manitoba’s workforce.

As part of this initiative, Kinew’s government signed a Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA) with the Manitoba Building Trades, which will oversee the construction of four new schools, including the one in Brandon. The total investment for these projects will exceed $200 million. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt noted that the MJA is expected to generate approximately 600 “well-paying, good, unionized jobs for Manitobans,” with around 150 jobs specifically linked to the Brandon school.

Kinew highlighted the focus on local talent, stating, “We’re focused on local, we’re focused on people here who’ve got the skills, we’re focused on doing the job right, doing the job once.” The priority for job openings will first be given to Manitoba union members, followed by other Manitobans, then Canadian union members, and finally other Canadian workers.

Job Creation and Community Impact

The new school in Brandon is part of an ambitious plan that prioritizes local employment. Kinew reiterated the significance of ensuring that workers receive decent pay, pensions, and benefits, along with adherence to health and safety regulations on construction sites. “This thing is going to be open for everyone to come work on these school projects, but the first priority is going to go to Manitoba union members,” he stated.

The MJA represents a strategic move towards a policy mandating that all major public infrastructure projects exceeding $50 million will utilize local labor. Tanya Palson, executive director of the Manitoba Building Trades, emphasized that at least 10 percent of the work for the school projects will be performed by local apprentices, with an additional 20 percent allocated for equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous workers, women, and newcomers.

“This is thousands of hours of hands-on learning for young Manitobans, creating pathways into good, paying, stable careers in the trades,” Palson added during the press conference. The MJA is seen as a foundational step that could extend to future infrastructure projects in various sectors, including hydro, hospitals, and transportation.

Future Developments and Project Schedule

The provincial government confirmed that the two new schools in Brandon are progressing as scheduled. One school, designed for the Brandon School Division, is set to open in September 2027, located west of 34th Street. The other is a French-language K-12 school on Maryland Avenue, which will serve the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine and is projected to open in the 2028-29 school year. While the French-language school is not currently part of the MJA, there is optimism that it will be included as construction approaches.

Palson pointed out that agreements like the MJA could substantially change the landscape of labor in Manitoba. She cited the City of Brandon’s contract for a wastewater treatment plant as an example of a missed opportunity, as the contract was awarded to an Ontario-based firm, NAC Constructors Ltd., rather than utilizing local labor.

Kinew’s government remains committed to ensuring that future infrastructure projects are designed to maximize local employment opportunities, particularly for apprenticeship positions. Palson remarked, “It’s important to hire local, especially for your apprenticeship hours, where we can maximize the number of hours and then justify bringing a lot of the training programs to the Westman area.”

The ongoing developments in Brandon reflect a broader initiative to strengthen the local economy while preparing the next generation for successful careers in trades. As this project moves forward, the government and associated organizations remain focused on creating lasting benefits for the community.