Premier Wab Kinew Commits $500 Million Toward $1.5 Billion Winnipeg Wastewater Treatment Expansion

WINNIPEG, MB — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham confirmed a $500 million provincial infrastructure commitment toward the $1.5 billion Phase 3 expansion of the North End Sewage Treatment Plant (NEWP).

Environmental Protection for Lake Winnipeg Watershed

The biological nutrient removal upgrade will remove 80% of phosphorus and nitrogen effluents from municipal wastewater discharges entering the Red River and Lake Winnipeg, curbing toxic blue-green algae blooms. The project represents the largest municipal environmental infrastructure capital investment in Manitoba's history.

Premier Kinew emphasized that protecting Lake Winnipeg is an intergenerational responsibility that guarantees clean water security while supporting 30,000 new housing hookups in northern Winnipeg.

City Council Vote and Tri-Level Funding

Winnipeg City Council ratified the project tender guidelines, with federal contributions covering $390 million and municipal utility debt financing the balance.

Lake Winnipeg ecological foundations praised the long-delayed biological nutrient treatment timeline.

Construction Phase Deadlines

Heavy civil foundation construction on the bioreactor basins begins in October 2026, with full commissioning slated for 2030.