Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has made a change to its Winter Tire Program. In order to qualify for the program, tires must dis­play the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol. Any tires mar­keted as all-weather, all-season, four-season or year-round will no longer be eligible.

This change poses some questions and even concerns as to why MPI is restricting the financ­ing of other tires for this program.

“To ensure MPI’s Winter Tire Program funding supports tires that deliver the greatest safety benefits in winter driving conditions, effective October 1, 2026, only manufacturer designated winter tires that display the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol will be eligible under the program,” said an MPI Spokesperson.

“Tires marketed as all-weather, all-season, four-season and year-round, even if they dis­play the 3PMSF symbol, will no longer be eligi­ble.”

Many tire distributors are questioning the change and wondering why it’s happening after MPI spent so much time trying to educate and promote putting safe and seasonal tires on high­ways.

“MPI is making this change to ensure pro­gram funding supports tires that deliver the greatest safety benefits in winter driving condi­tions,” said an MPI Spokesperson. “MPI’s Winter Tire Program helps Manitobans pur­chase a second set of tires dedicated to safe winter driving by provid­ing low-interest financ­ing options that make them a more affordable investment. By focusing loans given out under the program on tires that are engineered to handle these conditions, MPI is realigning the program with its original intent.

The Opasquia Times reached out to MPI to find out how many Manitobans accessed the program to finance all-weather and MPI said that information wasn’t available.

MPI didn’t really inform people about the change. Not only were Manitoba drivers not properly informed in advance, but many tire dealerships weren’t either.

Changes to MPI’s Winter Tire Program take effect on October 1, 2026.