New PC MLA accuses Manitoba premier of inaction on Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola

ManitobaThe newest member of the Manitoba Legislature took immediate aim at the NDP government, claiming Premier Wab Kinew has not done enough to help agricultural producers affected by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola exports.Colleen Robbins of Spruce Woods sworn in as newest member of Manitoba LegislatureBartley Kives · CBC News · Posted: Sep 08, 2025 6:46 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoProgressive Conservative MLAs look on as Colleen Robbins of Spruce Woods is sworn in on Monday. (Bartley Kives/CBC)The newest member of the Manitoba Legislature took immediate aim at the NDP government, claiming Premier Wab Kinew has not done enough to help agricultural producers affected by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola exports.Colleen Robbins, who won the Spruce Woods byelection in August, was sworn in Monday as the Progressive Conservative MLA for the southwestern Manitoba constituency, which surrounds the City of Brandon.Robbins said she will assist Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza on agriculture files and said Manitoba canola producers want to see more action from Kinew. “They want the premier to look like he cares,” Robbins said following her swearing-in ceremony. “If we can’t rely on China, we have to sell it. We have to get these [commodities] to market, so we want to hear what his solutions would be, not just asking for Ottawa’s help.”Kinew called on the federal Liberal government in August to divert revenue from Canadian tariffs on Chinese electronic vehicle sales to canola producers.PC Leader Obby Khan said Kinew’s efforts appear passive compared to Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who is flying to China to lobby for the end of the tariffs on Canadian canola.”I think the premier should do something, anything,” Khan said. “What has the premier actually done, other than pick up the phone and call Ottawa and say, ‘Ottawa do something?'”In a statement, Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn reiterated Manitoba’s NDP government has called on Ottawa to divert tariff revenue to agricultural producers.Kostyshyn also said the NDP government passed legislation to reduce interprovincial trade barriers and signed trade agreements with four other provinces.