Welcome to Associate Showcase, where we highlight the incredible work of our diverse network of ProteinMB Associates. Each month, we will spotlight an organization or individual making waves in the sustainable protein ecosystem. From innovative practices to industry leadership, these showcases are a chance to celebrate and learn from the contributions of those driving positive change and shaping the future of sustainable food production. 

Our Associate Showcase this week is Red River College (RRC) Polytech's Prairie Research Kitchen!

RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen helps food manufacturers bring new ideas to the table using our experience in chef driven, science-backed applied research.

From food product development to ingredient applications and food co--product reduction. Their work enables partners to expand their research capabilities while working toward sustainability goals.

RRC Polytech is part of a larger research network that allows them to approach complex problems from multiple angles and expedite results.

Their teams are eager to collaborate and help find the solutions you need.

ProteinMB and RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen work together in the strategic areas of Working Together, Innovation, Information & Knowledge Acquisition, and Workforce.

Manitoba’s Sustainable Protein Advantage strategy is comprised of Ten Strategic Areas of Sustainable Protein. These areas were developed as the Sustainable Protein Impact Map: A Collaborative Action Framework, which provides the strategic direction in how we will meet the industry’s ultimate goal.

Branding, Marketing and Communications (BMC)

MNP Releases Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations Ranking: Where Canada stands and how we move forward

MNP released this report which ranks nations on how strong they are in the Agri-Food sector. The report notes Canada's strengths and opportunities and how Canada can bridge the gap to compete globally.

Read the report here.

Finance (FI)

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Trade Disruption Customer Support Program

To support the Canadian agriculture and food industry as tariffs are implemented, FCC is providing $1 billion in new lending to help alleviate financial challenges.

For more information please click here.

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Climate Blueprint

RBC is advancing the Manitoba Sustainable Protein Advantage Action Framework by supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy through targeted investment, sustainability valuation, and carbon reduction initiatives. With a commitment of $1 billion by 2030 toward climate innovation, RBC is investing in technologies that help businesses measure and verify emissions. The bank is also tripling its lending to renewable energy and aims to grow low-carbon energy financing to $35 billion. RBC works closely with high-emitting sectors to support decarbonization efforts, provides expertise in emissions trading, and operates under a robust Sustainable Finance Framework. With a goal of net-zero operations by 2025, RBC is playing a key role in shaping a more sustainable, resilient protein sector. 

For more information please click here.

Information & Knowledge (IK) 

5th Annual Manitoba Sustainable Protein Research Symposium

Early access registration to the 5th Annual Manitoba Sustainable Protein Research Symposium is now open. Use promo code Protein20 to get $20 off your ticket. Call for abstracts! Submission Deadline: May 2, 2025 

Submit your abstract and learn more here.

Policy and Infrastructure (PI)

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) Released Securing Canada's Economic Future - A Blueprint to Strengthening Canadian Manufacturing

The blueprint includes 17 measures to reinvigorate the Canadian Economy.

Read the blueprint here.

Red Tape and Regulatory Burden in the Manitoba Protein Industry

ProteinMB released a What We Heard Report on Red Tape and Regulatory Burden in the Manitoba Protein Industry that synthesized what we have been hearing for our Associates and our recommendations to support the Protein Industry. 

CME Surviving Surtax Webinar

CME hosted a Surviving Surtax webinar presented by GHY that is a webinar series co-funded by the Manitoba Government to help navigate tariffs.  Keep your eye on the CME Information Hub on Trade & Tariffs for new webinars.

Government of Canada's Trade Incentives Drawback Program

The Government of Canada’s Trade Incentives Drawback Program is available to help relieve the costs of tariffs by offering refunds if the goods meet the criteria.  

BDO's Tariff Resource Hub

BDO has developed a Tariff Resource Hub which includes information on evolving trade tariffs, policies and compliance requirements. The page has a tool called Tariff Origin Value Analytics (TOVA) readiness. 

Sustainable Protein: The Industry (SP)

Co-Packer Directory

The Manitoba government has launched a Co-Packer Directory to help industry partners find co-packing services across the province.

Explore the interactive map here.

EMILI 

EMILI has launched a new 60-second video series highlighting how Innovation Farms, powered by FCC AgExpert, are advancing productivity, sustainability, and profitability in agriculture and agri-food.

Watch the series here.

Sustainable Protein Consortium

On April 23, the Sustainable Protein Consortium of Protein Processors gathered at HyLife for their annual Strategic Planning Session. Members helped shape the evolving consortium model and committed to a year of impactful, peer-driven meetings. 

Working Together (WT)

ProteinMB's Second Annual Partnership Forum

On April 11th, we proudly hosted our second annual Partnership Forum—a dynamic and inspiring day dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of the past year, fostering connections across the protein ecosystem, and collaborating on ideas to shape our work plan for the year ahead.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to the energy and insights that made the event a success. For those who were unable to attend, we are sending out a brief survey to ensure your perspectives are included as we look forward to another impactful year.

ProteinMB Partnership Model

ProteinMB has launched a video to break down the ProteinMB Partnership Model—how we mobilize the industry-led implementation of the Manitoba Protein Advantage (MPA) Action Framework, and how our Associates engage in meaningful, results-driven collaboration. Designed for current and future Associates, this video serves as a guide to understanding the structure, purpose, and value of becoming an active participant in Manitoba’s sustainable protein ecosystem. 

Watch the video here.

Workforce (WF)

Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates

The Manitoba government has announced a two-year Manitoba-specific extension to facilitate work permits for prospective Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) candidates. 

Click here for more information.  

Food Processing Skills Canada

Food Processing Skills Canada offers three new programs to support Canadian Food & Beverage businesses and Canadians at large to upskilling. 

Click here for more information.

Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits and Work Share Programs

The Government of Canada has made updates to the EI benefits and Work Share Programs to help those affected by Tariffs through any difficulties. 

BioTalent Scholarship

BioTalent Canada's I.D.E.A.L Scholarship is awarding three $10,000 scholarships to support equity-deserving students entering post-secondary bioscience programs. Applications will be accepted until June 10th, 2025.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Releases Food and Beverage Report 2025

FCC released a report covering the financials of the food and beverage manufacturing sector in 2024. They state 2025 is shaping up to be another eventful year. Uncertainty is nothing new for food and beverage manufacturers, who continue to show resilience and adaptability. In this report, they provide sales and margin forecasts for each sub-sector and also examine the challenges and opportunities.

Read the full report here.

Manitoba Government Announces Made-In-Manitoba Program

The Manitoba government is investing up to $1.5 million in grant funding to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to develop a made-in-Manitoba program that will offer tariff response support and programming for Manitoba manufacturers that may be impacted by United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The Made-In-Manitoba tariff response program includes business and workforce training on tariffs and market diversification, a made-in-Manitoba summit to promote business-to-business connections and financial support for tariff planning consultations.

Read the news release here.

Manitoba Government Investing $24 Million for Provincewide Municipal Water and Wastewater Upgrades and Expansions

The Manitoba government is committing $24 million in funding for the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) capital budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year to assist municipalities in addressing their water and wastewater infrastructure needs.

The announcement supports the board’s new capital plan that includes a total provincial commitment of $120 million over five years for critical water and wastewater infrastructure throughout rural Manitoba. The highest priority projects are those that improve public health, protect the environment and are regional-based systems, noted the minister. Other priorities include funding to support economic growth, climate resiliency, water-use efficiencies and the use of innovative technologies.

Read the news release here.

Manitoba Government Providing $150 Million for Agricultural Producers

The Manitoba government will provide farmers and producers with more than $150 million in supports, including $10 million to match federal AgriStability funding.

The province is working with farmers, producers and businesses to protect jobs, strengthen Manitoba’s economy and respond to tariffs from China and the United States, in addition to working with Keystone Agricultural Producers toward a number of shared goals to support Manitoba agriculture including:

• identifying opportunities to remove regulatory barriers to grow value-added food processing businesses;
• advancing trade work in Manitoba’s interest including collaboration with other provinces and engagement with key U.S. states critical to Manitoba’s trading relationship that will be hurt by potential tariffs; and
• advocating to the federal government and working to deliver policies and investments in value-added processing, improvements to business risk management programs and access to the capital producers need.

Read the news release here.

Manitoba Government Makes $13 Million Investment in Downtown Agriculture Exchange

The Manitoba government is investing $13 million for Cereals Canada to develop the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate), a world-class centre in downtown Winnipeg that will support grain producers and processors in their ongoing efforts to establish new international trading partners.

Funds will be used to support the building and equipment costs to develop a new building in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, with research and innovation space for specialty milling, a pilot bakery, pasta extrusion, as well as training and office space.

Read the news release here.

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain Program

Protein Industries Canada is announcing a new program to help Canadian plant-based ingredient manufacturers and food processing companies remain competitive in the wake of the ongoing uncertainty around trade with the US. The $3 million program will support the development of new, or the reformulation of existing products using Canadian inputs, for the domestic market.

For more information, click here.

Sustainable Agri-Processing (SAP) Program

The Sustainable Agri-Processing (SAP) program provides funding to support sustainability initiatives that can help you monetize waste streams, alleviate municipal wastewater surcharges, save on your energy costs, and reduce wastage of valuable ingredients.

The SAP program has four streams:
• building envelope, lighting and ventilation upgrades
• input use efficiency
• water use efficiency
• waste use efficiency

Deadline to apply is April 17th, 2025.

Watch the instructional video on how to apply here.

Reach out to info@proteinMB.ca for information on engagement opportunities. 

ProteinMB Facilitated Engagements

Roundtables

• Innovation - June Register Here
• Indigenous - June Register Here
• By-Products - September Register Here

Working Groups 

• By-Products 

Reach out to info@proteinMB.ca for information on engagement opportunities. 

Upcoming Events:

• CropTalk Webinars – April 30 & May 7, Online
• CME Training Serves Information Event - May 6, Winnipeg, MB
• Commercial Fisher Summit - May 9, Selkirk, MB
• Evolution of Ag: Doing Better, Not More Workshop - May 12, Winnipeg, MB
• Vision Quest - May 14-15, Winnipeg, MB
• Future Now Expo – May 28-29, Winnipeg, MB
• Embracing Excellence – June 9-12, Winnipeg, MB 
• Manitoba Sustainable Research Symposium – July 7, Winnipeg, MB
• Pulse and Special Crops Convention – September 9-11, Whistler, AB