Written by Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager
Advocacy in Action…
Last week, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce hosted members for A Conversation with the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. Minister MacKinnon shared insights on federal priorities shaping Canada’s transportation network, including efforts to strengthen supply chains and support economic growth in Manitoba and across the country.
Key takeaways from the conversation:
- Investing in transportation as a nation-building strategy
The Minister emphasized that Canada has historically invested in transportation during periods of uncertainty. From building the east–west railway at Confederation to responding to today’s global uncertainty, investing in transportation remains a core strategy for helping Canada pivot and remain competitive.
- Expanding global trade through diversification
Canada is actively pursuing trade opportunities with a strong focus on Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The Minister noted that the world wants to trade with Canada because of our capital, skilled workforce, natural resources, and ingenuity.
- Manitoba’s role as a national logistics linchpin
With transportation as a major employer and one of Canada’s largest logistics clusters, Manitoba is a critical hub in the country’s supply chain. Assets like CentrePort Canada, Arctic Gateway Group, and the Winnipeg Airports Authority, along with strong trucking and rail networks, help connect businesses across Canada.
- Restoring labour stability and predictability
The Minister spoke to the significant economic cost of labour disruptions and the need to restore predictability across the transportation system. Priorities include improved dispute resolution processes, better labour mobility and credential recognition, expanded training and job matching, and re-skilling initiatives to support tens of thousands of workers. As the Minister noted, predictability is essential for workers, operators, shippers, and investors alike.
- Advancing digital trade and regulatory modernization
Canada must modernize trade systems to remain competitive, learning from countries that have fully digitized end-to-end trade processes to move goods more efficiently across borders. The Minister also highlighted the importance of regulatory modernization, including the role of the Major Projects Office, to support timely infrastructure development.
What We’re Watching: Key Trends and Emerging Issues
City of Winnipeg
Our Environmental Sustainability Policy Position calls for the City of Winnipeg to update its Climate Action Plan as the foundation for a broader climate preparedness strategy, with clear public reporting to improve transparency.
The city is now advancing this work with up to $140,000 in funding from the Municipal Green Fund, provided by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. This funding will support a city-wide climate risk and vulnerability assessment and inform a new Climate Action Plan and Climate Resilience Strategy, with opportunities for public engagement expected in spring 2026. To register for project updates, click here.
The Chamber will continue to follow this work and engage its Environmental Sustainability Policy Working Group as the project moves forward. Members interested in joining this working group are encouraged to contact Gwen Black, our Policy & Government Relations Manager, at [email protected].
Government of Canada
Defence is a growing economic opportunity, and Prime Minister Carney’s government has signalled increased interest in expanding Canada’s defence sector through international commitments, new funding in the most recent federal budget, and the release of a new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). This strategy aims to transform Canada’s defence industry by prioritizing Canadian suppliers, investing in innovation and commercialization, and streamlining procurement to provide businesses with more consistent and predictable demand.
Over the next decade, the strategy positions Canadian industry to access up to $180 billion in defence procurement opportunities and $290 billion in defence-related capital investments.
Defence procurement can be a complex process spanning multiple departments. The Defence Investment Agency, established in October 2025 and a key part of the Defence Industrial Strategy is intended to reduce duplication and improve clarity for industry partners navigating federal defence opportunities.
In March, The Chamber will host General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, for a VIP Luncheon. If your business touches manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, logistics, aerospace or advanced services, this is a conversation for you.
Sign up here to join in the discussion.
As the Defence Industrial Strategy rolls out, The Chamber is focused on ensuring Winnipeg businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities. The Chamber is actively working to create opportunities for members to learn more about upcoming defence-related initiatives. Members interested in direct outreach are encouraged to contact our Policy & Government Relations Manager Gwen Black at [email protected].
