Manitoba cabinet to approve or deny power deals with the United States – Winnipeg [Video]

The Manitoba government signalled Thursday it may curtail exports of hydroelectricity to the United States in response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, but stopped short of cutting back supply immediately or adding surcharges.

The NDP government issued a directive to Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro that says cabinet approval is now needed for any new major power purchase or export contract with bodies in the U.S., or any extensions or cancellations of existing deals.

“We have to send a strong message to people south of the border than this tariff dispute launched by Donald Trump is not helping anyone,” Premier Wab Kinew told reporters.

Manitoba is not going as far as Ontario, which is applying a 25 per cent extra charge on electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans. Kinew said he’s not ruling out measures similar to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, but is also keeping in mind the money …