Manitoba has long been one of Canada’s industrial powerhouses—its heavy equipment and vehicle (HEV) sector sending buses, fire trucks, agricultural machinery, and mining equipment to more than 80 countries. This global reach is supported by a dense local supply chain and an industrial ecosystem that has made Manitoba indispensable to Canada’s manufacturing strength.
Now, that momentum is accelerating.
On December 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced a transformative new federal investment that positions the province for a new era of advanced manufacturing and clean tech innovation.
“Building a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy means investing in the Prairies’ unique strengths. And this is exactly why we are supporting the Vehicle Technology Centre and expanding applied research capacity at RRC Polytech. Our new government is helping Manitoba’s heavy equipment and vehicle sector innovate, adopt new technologies, and create good jobs for workers and opportunities for local business. Together we are strengthening Canada’s clean industrial economy and ensuring we build Canada strong,” expressed the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
With a $3.3 million federal investment—and a matching $3.3 million from the Government of Manitoba, announced by the Honourable Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation—RRC Polytech will establish the Innovation Garage, a new applied research hub built in collaboration with the Vehicle Technology Centre, the Province of Manitoba, and private-sector partners.
“This investment builds on the strength of Manitoba’s heavy equipment and vehicle sector which exports around the world and supports thousands of good jobs right here at home. By partnering with industry and RRC Polytech, we’re helping companies adopt new technologies, scale up, and bring more made-in-Manitoba innovations to the global market,” stated the Honourable Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation.
A New Innovation Engine for a Global Sector
The Innovation Garage is being designed as a high-performance workshop for the future of mobility and manufacturing. With Manitoba’s HEV cluster competing on the world stage, the new facility will offer industrial partners the tools and space to move from prototype to product with greater speed and confidence.
Three major pillars will anchor the facility:
1. Industrial-Scale Applied R&D Space
A dedicated environment where manufacturers can collaborate with students, faculty, and researchers to test new ideas, refine production processes, and develop technologies tailored specifically for heavy equipment and vehicle applications.
2. A Microgrid Laboratory for Energy and EV Innovation
The transition to low-carbon mobility demands new infrastructure. The microgrid lab will help companies explore electric vehicle charging systems, distributed energy solutions, and the next generation of industrial power management.
3. A Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Laboratory
Hydrogen propulsion and fuel cell systems are quickly emerging as key technologies for heavy-duty machinery. This lab will give Manitoba’s innovators a homegrown platform to develop, test, and advance clean propulsion systems and other transformative technologies.
Together, these facilities will create a fertile environment where students, researchers, and industry can work side by side—strengthening workforce skills, boosting productivity, and helping Manitoba’s small- and medium-sized enterprises scale new technologies into market-ready solutions.
Strengthening the HEV Ecosystem Through Clean Tech Leadership
The new initiative will also bolster the Vehicle Technology Centre’s Clean Technology and Advanced Manufacturing program, which supports manufacturers in leveraging applied research and development to stay competitive. This added capacity aligns perfectly with Manitoba’s industrial strengths and its role in supplying essential machinery to global markets.
By expanding collaborative R&D capabilities, the project reinforces Manitoba’s position as a leader in advanced clean technology development—an area seeing rapid demand across the global heavy-duty vehicle sector.
“Manitoba’s heavy vehicle and equipment manufacturers drive market leadership through ongoing innovation. Today’s announcement will allow our manufacturers to conduct industrial-scale advanced research on site at Red River College Polytech in collaboration with academic researchers, suppliers, and contractors. Combined with the Clean Technology and Advanced Manufacturing program funding announced today, this investment will accelerate innovation in our regional cluster and build the research expertise needed for continued success,” commented Ron Vanderwees, President and CEO, Vehicle Technology Centre Inc.
A Prairie Partnership in Action
The Innovation Garage is more than a new facility—it is a tangible demonstration of the federal government’s Prairie Partnership Initiative, which prioritizes regional economic growth through collaboration, pragmatic innovation, and supply chain resilience.
“The Innovation Garage at RRC Polytech is about preparing Manitoba’s manufacturing sector for the challenges and opportunities of a changing world. As industries transition to cleaner energy and work to address climate change, this investment provides the technology, expertise, and collaborative space needed to innovate. Together, we’re building solutions that make our province more competitive and more sustainable for generations to come,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.
In this case, the initiative is helping Manitoba’s manufacturing ecosystem stay ahead of global competition while strengthening the broader Canadian economy. It reflects a shared commitment between industry and government to champion ambitious ideas, invest in transformative technologies, and ensure that Manitoba remains at the forefront of heavy equipment and vehicle innovation.
With federal and provincial support aligning behind industry needs, Manitoba is steering confidently into the future—advancing clean tech, energizing its workforce, and powering a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy.
