February 27, 2026
Manitoba Government Invests $5 Million in West Lands Infrastructure Development
– – –Funding Supports Phase 1 of West Lands Development at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport: Moses
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The Manitoba government is partnering with the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) to support Phase 1 of the West Lands development to strengthen Manitoba’s role as a multimodal transportation hub, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced today.
“Investors look for ready-to-build sites and reliable infrastructure,” said Moses. “By building that foundation with our government and private sector partners now, we are unlocking new opportunities for aviation and industrial investment, creating good jobs and strengthening Manitoba’s competitiveness in a fast-moving global economy.”
The funding will support civil infrastructure work on 84 acres of airport-adjacent land, including the extension of Moray Street, along with drainage, grading and utility servicing to prepare the site for new industrial development.
Once complete, the new infrastructure will enable the development of 1.25 million square feet of commercial real estate that will attract tenants in the aviation and aerospace, logistics and distribution and manufacturing sectors, the minister said.
“Strong supply chains depend on strong infrastructure,” said federal Emergency Management and Community Resilience Minister Eleanor Olszewski, minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “By expanding airside lands at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, we are building on Manitoba’s strengths in aviation, aerospace and advanced manufacturing, attracting new investment, creating good jobs and helping ensure Canada remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.”
Phase 1 of the West Lands project requires a total investment of $32 million. The Manitoba government’s $5-million contribution will be leveraged by an investment of $17 million by WAA and $10 million from PrairiesCan.
“We thank the Government of Canada and the Manitoba government for their partnership and investment in this critical infrastructure,” said Nick Hays, president and CEO, Winnipeg Airports Authority. “These lands represent one of the most strategically significant airside development opportunities in Canada. This investment enables the servicing required to make them development-ready, positioning Winnipeg and Manitoba to attract new business, create high-value jobs and strengthen Canada’s trade capacity and global competitiveness.”
According to WAA estimates, the Phase 1 development, once fully developed and leased, will support over 400 jobs, $77 million in annual gross domestic product and $3.9 million in property tax revenue per year, noted Moses.
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