September 16, 2024
Premier Wab Kinew Travels to Minnesota to Meet With State Lieutenant-Governor
The premier of Manitoba travelled to Minnesota today to meet with the state’s lieutenant-governor and strengthen trade relationships with Manitoba’s southern neighbour, Premier Wab Kinew announced today.
“Minnesota is an important trading partner for our province,” said Kinew. “It was a great opportunity to meet with Lt.-Gov. Peggy Flanagan to talk about Manitoba’s wealth of critical minerals, strong Hydro grid and skilled workforce. Manitoba and Minnesota have a lot in common and we want to continue to grow the relationship we have with our neighbour to the south.”
Manitoba and Minnesota share not only a border but important economic ties, particularly in the manufacturing sector, the premier noted. Minnesota is Manitoba’s second largest export market in the United States, after Illinois. Manitoba’s domestic exports to Minnesota totaled $2.7 billion in 2023.
The Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project (MMTP) is a 500-kilovolt transmission line that exports reliable and renewable energy to Minnesota Power’s Great Northern Transmission Line, added Kinew. In 2023, Manitoba Hydro exported over $700 million in electrical energy to Minnesota.
The MMTP transports power to the United States to meet Hydro’s contractual obligations with Minnesota Power, improves reliability of the transmission system and brings electricity to Canada from the U.S. in emergency situations.
The premier’s visit follows closely after Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn travelled to Minnesota from Aug. 21 to 23 to meet with Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson and other Minnesota agricultural stakeholders to further trade and investment collaboration.
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