Province earmarks $4 million from American booze sales to child-focused organizations

The Manitoba government is directing an additional $4 million from the sale of U.S. liquor products to child-focused organizations, Premier Wab Kinew announced Thursday.

The province has earmarked $3 million of that to the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba to support school food programs, while $1 million will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to bolster pediatric care and family-centred services.

The funding comes from proceeds generated after U.S. liquor products were removed from shelves in response to tariffs. The province says it will continue selling the remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to charities across Manitoba.

“Manitobans stepped up over the holidays knowing that the proceeds would go to families in need,” Kinew said in a release. “That support is helping put good food in schools for kids and improve care for children who are sick.”

In December 2025, the government also committed $2.6 million from U.S. liquor sales to food banks and community organizations across Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and northern Manitoba.