WINNIPEG — Three large construction groups say a new fee in Manitoba will drive up the cost of major projects in the province.

The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, Winnipeg Construction Association and Construction Association of Rural Manitoba are questioning the province’s recent move to add a fee of 85 cents per hour, per worker.

The fee is applied to projects covered by Manitoba Jobs Agreements, launched last year to try to ensure more local workers and contractors benefit from big public-sector projects.

The construction groups say that could add millions of dollars to some projects, and they question who will oversee how the money is spent.

The NDP government says the money will be used for training, so there are more local workers with the required skills.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives say taxpayers will be paying more, and there are no signs there will be public accounting of how the money raised will be spent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press