The Province of Manitoba released the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. The highlights that impact the tourism industry include:
- An additional $400,000 for Travel Manitoba, with $100,000 of that focused on the Manitoba Lodgers and Outfitters
- A commitment from the Province to meet regularly with Churchill tourist operators as Port of Churchill Plus advances
- $1.5M to support hosting the Junos in 2027
- Investing in parks and campgrounds with $1 million in new operating funding to fully staff parks. The Parks capital budget covers upgrades at Spruce Woods, Birds Hill, Hecla, Falcon Lake and West Hawk – disaster relief funding will also be used to rebuild campgrounds in Nopiming Provincial Park
- $250,000 to the Manitoba Arts Council, in partnership with the Winnipeg Foundation, to advance the Looking Forward program, which assists organizations in adapting to Manitoba’s evolving arts and culture sector, strengthening capacity, resilience and long-term sustainability
- $1.5 million for Northgate Trails in the RM of Dauphin along the escarpment of Riding Mountain National Park, helping position the Parkland region as a world class mountain biking destination.
The Kinew government’s third budget, “Good Jobs, Lower Costs, Better Health Care,” that was delivered on March 24, 2026 leads with the economic development opportunity of building up Churchill and Manitoba’s north, and focuses strongly on improving health care and making life more affordable.
The Budget forecasts an overall deficit of $498 million, down from $794 million projected in the 2024/25 budget, and further down from the 2025/26 forecast of $1.6B. 2025/26 actual expenses are forecasted to be $872 million over budget, driven largely by over expenditures in wildfire response, drought and health.
The Manitoba Government continues to project a return to balance by 2027/28.