Manitoba launches ad campaign to encourage residents to buy local amid trade tensions with U.S.
Premier doesn't say whether ad money going to U.S. social media platforms
The Manitoba government is launching a new ad campaign to get Manitobans to buy local.
Premier Wab Kinew announced Wednesday that the province has spent $140,000 on a month's worth of advertising online, in billboards and on the radio to encourage Manitobans to put their money in the local economy.
The announcement comes after a week of high tensions between Canada and its southern neighbour, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced — and then put on hold — 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all Canadian goods.
"It's been maybe a bit of whiplash in terms of are we going, are we not, what's happening," Kinew said. "But through it all, to see people come together and to rally around the flag, to put the Manitoba pride first and foremost, has been very encouraging."
On Monday, Kinew said the province would pause plans to pull U.S. alcohol from Manitoba liquor stores shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Trump said he'd hold off on the tariffs for at least 30 days.
Kinew said that while the situation is on pause, buying local "always makes sense, no matter what's going on in the world."
The campaign also includes a website with links to tools and other guides on how to support Manitoba businesses and chose local products. The website also links to the province's new tariff hotline and website, where Manitoban businesses or workers can ask questions about trade with the U.S.
The premier would not say whether all the money spent on advertising would go to Manitoba media outlets. Kinew also would not say how much advertising money would be spent on social media platforms owned by Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, or Trump ally Elon Musk, who owns X, formerly called Twitter.
The premier's staff also could not say whether tote bags with the campaign's logo were manufactured in the province. They said they believe the logo was placed on the bags in Manitoba.
The premier also said the province is mulling a second location for a trade office, after the province recently opened one in Washington, D.C. He did not say whether the province will reopen trade offices in China and Indian that were closed by the previous government.
"There's an active conversation about that next office," Kinew said. "Is that going to be the U.S. or is that going to be in South Korea? Maybe another location around the globe."
During the announcement, he also commented on some Winnipeggers joining in on the trend of Canadian fans booing the U.S. anthem during sporting events, during a Jets home game Tuesday night.
"What I would say is don't boo the opposing team's national anthem," he said.
"Boo the opposing team when they touch the puck. That is the Canadian way."
With files from Bartley Kives