Manitoba Budget 2024: Agriculture, Strategic Innovation Fund, and a Low Carbon Economy 

Budget 2024 marks a pivotal step in fulfilling the government’s pledge to rejuvenate healthcare and ease financial burdens for families across Manitoba. With a focus on expanding healthcare provisions and reducing costs, the budget allocates record investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce. Additionally, it introduces measures to enhance senior care, improve healthcare access in rural and northern communities, and modernize healthcare systems.  

Furthermore, Budget 2024 prioritizes fiscal responsibility while promoting economic growth, with initiatives such as extending the gas tax holiday, expanding childcare subsidies, and investing in social housing and community infrastructure. This budget signifies a departure from past practices, emphasizing strategic investments and prudent financial management to address longstanding challenges and foster a brighter future for Manitobans. 

“We’re making smart, targeted investments. We can take steps to fix health care and lower costs, and we can do it while being responsible with public money and charting a path back to balance. That’s what Manitobans can expect from our first budget.” 

Minister Adrien Sala

 
In this article, we focus exclusively on business funding takeaways from the Manitoba Budget 2024 to help businesses navigate through economic uncertainties and seize growth opportunities. 

Visit our Federal and Provincial Budget 2024 page to learn about key business funding takeaways for all budget releases.   

Funding for Arts, Sports, Heritage, Culture, and Tourism 

Supporting communities through arts, sports, and heritage programs is crucial for enhancing quality of life and attracting talent to Manitoba. Budget 2024 demonstrates the government’s commitment to enriching cultural organizations and promoting vibrant communities. Key initiatives include:  

• Increased Funding for Arts and Cultural Organizations: Significant new funding is allocated to the Manitoba Arts Council and Manitoba Film and Music to support growth and diversity in the arts sector. 
• Support for Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation: Budget 2024 includes new supports to enhance financial sustainability and attract programming to the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation. 
• Enhanced Support for Le Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM): The CCFM is receiving increased support to promote cultural activities in the French language and manage its properties effectively. 
• Increased Annual Funding for Cultural Community: The government is increasing annual funding for cultural organizations, enabling more events to bring communities closer together. 
• Boosting Film Industry Funding: Budget 2024 also includes increased funding for the Manitoba Film Industry, aimed at supporting local filmmakers and fostering growth within the province’s film community. 

Electric Vehicle Incentive 

Many Manitoba families aspire to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for their transportation needs. However, the high initial cost can be a barrier. Budget 2024 introduces an EV rebate program, offering up to $4,000 for a new EV or PHEV and $2,500 for a used EV or PHEV. Manitobans can access this rebate upon registering their vehicle with Manitoba Public Insurance, with eligibility limited to one rebate per vehicle and per purchaser/lessee. Importantly, this program is retroactive to August 1, 2023.For EV manufacturers and businesses, we can expect to see a strong demand within the province. 

Browse our Cleantech Funding Directory to find clean energy funding programs available across Canada and subsidize your project costs.  

Climate Change Project Funding  

Manitobans witness the impacts of climate change firsthand, from droughts to shortened winters. Recognizing the importance of a healthy environment for the well-being of families, the government is dedicated to preserving natural spaces and reducing emissions for a sustainable future. 

Budget 2024 underscores the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero targets by 2050 through various initiatives, including: 

• Providing $5.4 million in rebates for new and used EVs and plug-in hybrids. 
• Collaborating with the Federal government to distribute heat pumps to Manitoba homes, reducing emissions and cutting costs for families. 
• Allocating $10 million towards plans for meeting Manitoba’s emissions reduction commitments under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, as part of the Low Carbon Economy Fund Bilateral Agreement with the federal government. 
• Investing $6.4 million in initiatives outlined in Manitoba’s plan for climate and sustainability priorities, while restoring funding to environmental organizations engaged in strategic greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation programs across all sectors. 

Sustainability is one of the top priorities for the federal government of Canada. Government grant funding is much easier to access if your business projects align with the government’s focus. Download our free guide on Building A Funding Plan to learn how you can best achieve your funding potential.  

 

Investments in Economic Growth and Innovation

While other provinces have benefited from the federal government’s Strategic Innovation Fund, Manitoba has been left behind. However, the new government is taking proactive steps by establishing its own $50-million Strategic Innovation Fund. This initiative will provide targeted support to industries, ensuring maximum benefit for Manitoba’s economic growth and development. 

The Strategic Innovation Fund is a federal Canadian government funding program uniquely targeted at Canada’s industrial and technology sectors. Applicants can receive up to 50% of expenses in government funding. Apply with us today!

Post-Secondary Education Funding  

Budget 2024 prioritizes post-secondary education to address Manitoba’s labor market needs. With a $43-million investment, institutions will receive stable funding to offer high-quality programs, and expands apprenticeship opportunities to help more Manitobans find employment. Specific investments include: 

• $26.6 million for additional medical doctor training seats. 
• $1 million to support the Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre at RRC Polytech, aimed at increasing the supply of healthcare professionals. 
• $1.5 million increase for apprenticeship training to meet future employer demands. 
• $1 million increase to adult learning and literacy funding to address labor market skills gaps. 
• $250,000 increase in industry partnership funding for Research Manitoba to support research and innovation. 

Explore our Hiring & Training Funding Directory and find funding programs so your business can cover onboarding costs for future employees and training costs for existing members of your team.  

A Low Carbon Economy 

With support from Manitoba Hydro, blue-collar clean energy jobs are becoming a reality. The government is strategically investing in clean technologies, sustainable energy, and critical mineral development to bolster the low-carbon economy. Here’s how Budget 2024 is driving these initiatives forward: 

• Investing in Clean Energy Jobs: The government is supporting the creation of 400 low-carbon manufacturing jobs at New Flyer Industries Group. 
• Enhancing Trade Infrastructure: A $30 million investment will be made to repair and upgrade the railroad and Port of Churchill, solidifying the province’s position as a maritime province. 
• Developing a Critical Minerals Strategy: Focused on economic prosperity and reconciliation in northern Manitoba, the government is prioritizing critical minerals crucial for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. Currently, there are 48 active critical mineral exploration projects in the province. 

In a landscape where many grant writing services may lack familiarity with the nuances of the Critical Minerals industry, we pride ourselves on our expertise in crafting winning grant applications within this specialized sector. Reach out to a member of our dedicated team and let us help you find the perfect grant match. 

Indigenous Economic Development Fund 

The 2024 Budget introduced the Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering economic reconciliation and inclusion in Manitoba. Underpinned by the province’s commitment to empower Indigenous communities, the IEDF represents a significant stride towards unlocking the economic potential of Indigenous Manitobans. The provincial government is empowering Indigenous economic growth by: 

• Establishing the Department of Indigenous Economic Development, marking a pivotal step towards fostering economic opportunities and full inclusion for Indigenous Manitobans. 
• Investing $4 million into the IEDF, providing crucial grant funding for programs and services tailored to Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs. 
• Focusing on unlocking future investments and opportunities by injecting new capital into Indigenous economic development initiatives. 
• Allocating funding for collaborative engagement with Indigenous peoples to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy and program framework. 

Investing in Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) Service Centers 

The government is allocating $200,000 to reopen the first two additional MASC service centres, enhancing support for Manitoba producers. These centres aim to improve access to MASC products and services, thereby reducing commuting time for producers. Budget 2024 includes: 

• An increase in the eligible loan amount for the Young Farmer Rebate from $200,000 to $300,000, along with raising the lifetime maximum rebate from $20,000 to $30,000. The Young Farmer Rebate is available through MASC and assists farmers under the age of 40 with their cash flow requirements during the critical start-up phase of their businesses. 
• The introduction of a new lending fee credit to alleviate the upfront cost of financing through MASC, accessible to farmers under the age of 40 who complete an educational program on agricultural financing. 

Canada-Manitoba Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) 

Manitoba has committed to investing $221 million over the next five years (2023-2028) in partnership with Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP). The federal government will provide 60% of the funding, with Manitoba contributing 40%, aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the agri-food industry. 

Initiatives funded through SCAP include: 

• Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP): 12.5% of the SCAP envelope will be allocated to RALP, providing funding for projects that reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Eligibility under the carbon sequestration and grasslands resilience stream will be expanded to include primary producers, community pastures, agricultural Crown land forage lease holders, and Indigenous primary producers and communities. 
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Study: A funding of $2.9 million over two years will support a study with Azure Sustainable Fuels Corp. to produce sustainable aviation fuel using feedstock products, with the potential to contribute up to 65% of the emissions reduction needed by the aviation industry to reach net-zero by 2050. 
• Assiniboine Community College (ACC) Research: An investment of $1.3 million over five years with Assiniboine Community College (ACC) will support applied research and extension advancing horticulture production through innovative and sustainable practices, enhancing the profitability, growth, and sustainability of the Manitoba horticulture industry. 
• Sustainable CAP Capital Infrastructure and Investments: Approximately $12.1 million in funding over two years through this program will support 68 projects aimed at enabling companies to scale up production, create new jobs, enhance employee skill development, and increase the value and volume of Manitoba’s processed foods, thus bolstering the province’s economic competitiveness. 

Browse our Agribusiness Funding Directory to find a wide range of grant programs that can cover costs for your agribusiness upgrades whether that it within the realm or capital and tech adoption, hiring and training, business expansion, or research and innovation.  

Apply for Government Funding with Us  

Depicting a steadfast dedication to economic advancement, environmental stewardship, and overall prosperity, the diverse range of funding initiatives outlined in Manitoba’s budget sets a promising trajectory for the province in 2024. For more insights into Canadian federal and provincial funding updates, explore our comprehensive coverage of Federal and Provincial Budget 2024. 

For businesses eager to capitalize on these opportunities, Mentor Works, a Ryan Company, is the premier government grant writing service in Canada. Our team of grant application writers and tax credit consultants is adept at navigating the complexities of these funding programs, offering invaluable support throughout the application process. We are committed to empowering your business to strategically position itself for optimal success. 

 Reach out to a member of our funding team today to discover the grant, tax credit, or incentive programs that could elevate your business to new heights.