October 16, 2026, was an important day for Thompson and Northern Manitoba. It was a day that brought together major infrastructure investment, meaningful conversations about the region’s economic future, and a significant announcement for one of Manitoba’s most established mining communities.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) was honoured to be part of the day’s events, joining Indigenous leaders, government representatives, business leaders and community partners to celebrate progress and consider the opportunities ahead.
Three events, in particular, demonstrated both the momentum building across Northern Manitoba and the importance of continued collaboration to realize its economic potential.
A New Gateway to Northern Manitoba
The day began with the official grand opening of the new Thompson Regional Airport terminal, a milestone years in the making.
The 44,000-square-foot facility, which opened to travellers in September, replaces a terminal one-third its size. Part of a $125-million airport redevelopment, the new building represents a substantial investment in infrastructure that serves communities and industries throughout Northern Manitoba.
For many northern residents, Thompson Regional Airport is far more than a transportation hub. It is an essential connection to healthcare, employment, education, goods and services. It supports medical evacuations, fly-in communities, tourism operators and businesses whose activities depend on reliable access to the region.
The new terminal is an important recognition of Thompson’s role as the Hub of the North and the infrastructure required to support that responsibility.
We extend our congratulations to the Thompson Regional Airport Authority and everyone involved in bringing this ambitious project to completion.
Unlock the Hub: A Conversation About Northern Prosperity
Immediately following the airport celebration, MCC participated in Unlock the Hub, a roundtable discussion bringing together Indigenous and community leaders representing business, healthcare, mining, post-secondary education, workforce development, tourism and supply chains.
Participants were joined by Premier Wab Kinew, federal Minister Rebecca Chartrand, provincial Ministers Lisa Naylor and Renée Cable, Chief Sheila North and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Cheryl Moore.
The discussion centred on a consequential question: What investments in regional infrastructure and community services are required to develop Northern Manitoba’s natural resources and bring them to market?
It was a privilege for MCC to contribute the perspective of Manitoba’s broader business community.
Our message began with something we hear consistently from businesses across sectors: investment requires certainty.
Businesses making significant, long-term capital commitments need confidence in the environment in which they operate. This is particularly important in Northern Manitoba, where development can involve higher costs, logistical challenges and additional risks.
Sustained public investment in enabling infrastructure, alongside a predictable investment environment, can help create the conditions for private investment to follow.
But the conversation also reinforced that infrastructure means much more than roads, railways and energy.
Reliable cellular coverage and broadband are increasingly essential to business operations and public safety, yet significant gaps remain across the North.
Housing presents another challenge. While conditions vary considerably between communities, businesses face a common question: where will workers live? Housing availability, serviced land, and water and wastewater capacity all influence whether communities can accommodate economic growth.
Workforce development is equally important. Access to skilled labour remains a persistent challenge for businesses throughout Manitoba. The Northern Labour Force Strategy currently under development presents an opportunity to better connect anticipated economic growth with training and employment pathways for Indigenous and Northern residents.
And attracting workers is only part of the equation. Retaining them requires communities where individuals and families can build their lives.
Healthcare and child care are economic issues. Access to these services influences whether families relocate to northern communities, whether workers remain, and whether parents can participate fully in the labour market.
Throughout the roundtable, one theme stood out: people must be central to Northern Manitoba’s economic future.
Participants spoke about the importance of building local skills, expanding opportunities for northern residents and ensuring that major investments leave a lasting legacy.
That includes creating opportunities for local businesses to participate in development. Major projects will inevitably bring workers and companies from elsewhere, particularly during construction. But the longer-term opportunity lies in strengthening Northern businesses, developing local talent and supporting communities where more of the economic benefits can be retained and reinvested.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of healthcare investments in Thompson, including diagnostic imaging capacity and housing for healthcare professionals.
What made the roundtable especially valuable was the diversity of perspectives around the table. Economic development, infrastructure, healthcare, education and community well-being are deeply interconnected. Bringing these voices together creates opportunities to better understand those relationships and identify areas for continued collaboration.
We were grateful to contribute to such a thoughtful discussion and hope it marks the beginning of more opportunities for dialogue among the many partners invested in Northern Manitoba’s future.
A New Chapter for Thompson’s Mining Industry
The day’s significance grew with the announcement that Exiro Nickel had completed its acquisition of the Thompson Operations from Vale Base Metals.
The transaction marks an important new chapter for a mining complex that has been central to Thompson’s economy for more than six decades.
Exiro Nickel, a Canadian-owned company backed by investors including Orion Resource Partners, the Canada Growth Fund and Vale Base Metals, has outlined plans for significant reinvestment in the Thompson Nickel Belt.
The company intends to invest up to US$200 million into the operations, with the ambition of doubling production to two million tonnes within five years.
The announcement is significant not only for Thompson’s mining workforce and local economy, but also for Manitoba’s broader ambitions to expand critical mineral production and strengthen Canada’s domestic supply chains.
Nickel is an important input in advanced manufacturing and other industrial applications, and the Thompson Nickel Belt remains one of the world’s significant nickel districts.
Exiro Nickel’s plans also underscore the importance of continued investment in exploration, operational capacity and relationships with Indigenous communities.
For Thompson, the announcement provides renewed confidence in the future of an industry that has shaped generations of families, businesses and workers.
Building on the Momentum
Taken together, Friday’s events offered a compelling picture of Northern Manitoba’s economic opportunity.
The airport terminal demonstrates what sustained investment in essential infrastructure can achieve. The Unlock the Hub roundtable reinforced the importance of connecting economic ambitions with the people, services and communities needed to support them. And Exiro Nickel’s announcement represents a substantial commitment to the future of Thompson’s mining industry.
These developments are connected.
Major industrial investment creates opportunities for businesses and workers. Infrastructure enables that investment. Strong communities, a skilled workforce and reliable services help sustain it.
There is considerable momentum in Northern Manitoba, and an equally important opportunity to ensure that today’s investments contribute to long-term economic prosperity for the region.
For the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, it was particularly meaningful to return to Thompson and participate in a day of such significance. We are grateful to the leaders and organizations who welcomed us into these conversations and who continue to work toward a strong economic future for Northern Manitoba.
