‘Downtown cannot fail’: Manitoba Métis Federation acquires more Winnipeg real estate

The Manitoba Métis Federation has acquired more real estate in downtown Winnipeg.

On the heels of the MMF’s purchase of the historic Bank of Montreal building at Portage and Main in 2020, president David Chartrand is set to announce Thursday that the federation has purchased the Bell MTS buildings at 333 Main St. and 191 Pioneer Ave.

Chartrand told 680 CJOB’s The Start that the moves are the MMF’s way of giving back to the city’s core.

“I’m very concerned about downtown,” he said. “I’ve made it very clear to the mayor and to the premier that we need to work together to rebuild downtown.

“Downtown cannot fail — if it fails, this province fails, this city fails.”

Chartrand said the 24- and 13-storey buildings, along with the adjacent parking lot, will be connected to the former bank, which the MMF is in the process of developing into a Métis Heritage Centre.

More details about the purchase are expected later Thursday morning.

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