Manitoba premier promises help for small businesses, eyes Trump fallout
CTV
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is leaving the door open to financial support for people affected by possible tariffs and other actions that may be taken by United States president-elect Donald Trump.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is leaving the door open to financial support for people affected by possible tariffs and other actions that may be taken by United States president-elect Donald Trump.
Kinew is also promising help for small businesses hit by his government's property tax increase.
In a year-end interview with The Canadian Press, Kinew said the provincial government is willing to consider aid if Trump enacts harmful policies after being sworn in on Jan. 20.
Trump's threats include 25 per cent tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico unless the two countries stop illegal border crossings and prevent illicit drugs from entering the U.S.
"If there is a need to help people with economic uncertainty in a post-Jan. 20 Manitoba, I would think that some affordability measures would make sense," Kinew said.
"I don't want to commit to any specific measures, but just to say that we are thinking about what is an affordability tool or maybe a few affordability announcements we could make if there is economic uncertainty for the average family."
Kinew has called on the federal government to respond to Trump's demands for tighter border security and has promised to have Manitoba conservation officers help as extra eyes and ears at the border.
