Manitoba supports development of $145-million Arctic char facility

WINNIPEG – The Government of Manitoba has announced support for a $145-million Arctic char facility near Winnipeg in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Rockwood.

The Sapphire Springs Inc. char aquaculture and fish processing facility will be the largest in Canada and the province is providing a repayable loan of up to $10.75 million to the company in support of the project.

“We’re taking action to bring more good jobs to Manitoba and grow our economy. We are proud that this world leading facility will expand economic opportunities for Manitoba and create new jobs in the RM of Rockwood, all while producing high-quality sustainable food,” Manitoba Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Jamie Moses said in a statement.

Sapphire Springs Inc. is on track to open the Manitoba facility in 2026 and begin producing 5,000 metric tonnes of Arctic char per year, which would increase the current global supply by up to 50 per cent, a release said.