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Let’s give Premier Wab Kinew credit for something important: He sent a strong letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney outlining Manitoba’s priorities for economic development.

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It’s the right move. We’ve sat on our northern mineral wealth for too long while other provinces fast-tracked projects and built real momentum. Kinew called Manitoba the “Costco of critical minerals.” That may be true — but if the shelves stay stocked and locked up, customers will go elsewhere.

Here’s the issue: We don’t need more positioning, we need action. Kinew currently has the tools to advance mining projects in Manitoba. He doesn’t have to wait for Ottawa’s permission to get moving. The regulatory system, the provincial permitting process, the investment promotion — it all runs through his government. If he’s serious about economic development, now is the time to start approving projects — clearing the logjams, and getting minerals out of the ground.

The market isn’t waiting. Demand for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt is skyrocketing globally. These are the building blocks of electric vehicles, batteries, and next-generation clean energy. The U.S. and EU are scrambling to lock down sources. Canada has the supply — but whether Manitoba plays a serious role is entirely up to us.

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