MANITOBA -The Manitoba Building Trades marked a historic milestone for the province’s construction industry this month by signing the first-ever Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA) with the provincial government, launching a major initiative to create good jobs through public infrastructure projects.
The agreement begins with construction of four new kindergarten-to-Grade 8 schools — two in Winnipeg, one in West St. Paul’s Meadowlands neighbourhood, and one in southwest Brandon. Under the MJA, all workers on these projects will receive prevailing wages, benefits, and safe working conditions, while 10 per cent of total hours will be reserved for apprentices and 20 per cent of hires will come from equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous Manitobans, and newcomers.
“This is a win for Manitoba workers and for our entire industry,” said Tanya Palson, executive director of Manitoba Building Trades. “We’re proud to work with the Manitoba government to make sure our public infrastructure projects are built at the highest standard, while creating good-quality jobs for workers across the province.”
The MJA ensures that public investment benefits the community while supporting long-term careers in the trades.
“Manitoba workers are the driving force of our economy,” Kinew said. “We’re creating Manitoba jobs for Manitobans, by making sure that our province is built with good, family-supporting jobs in the trades,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “This starts with putting Manitobans to work to build four new schools to the highest standards for our kids.”
The MJA is the first step in a broader provincial policy that will apply to all major public construction projects costing $50 million or more. The agreement sets standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions while promoting workforce development through apprenticeship opportunities.
The MJA applies to all contractors and workers involved in the school construction projects, signaling a new era of collaboration between the province and labour groups to ensure public infrastructure projects deliver both high-quality results and lasting economic benefits.
“These four new schools will serve families for generations — and just as importantly, they will launch careers, build communities, and contribute to a stronger Manitoba,” the government said in a statement.
