Written by Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager
Advocacy in Action...
A Chamber member recently contacted our policy team with concerns about a challenge facing local businesses seeking venture capital. Unlike similar programs in other provinces, Manitoba’s Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit is treated differently under the federal Income Tax Act. This weakens Manitoba businesses’ ability to attract investment by making local startups and growth-stage companies less attractive to investors.
At The Chamber, we believe your business deserves the same opportunities to grow as others in any other province. So, we’ve taken action on your behalf. Click to read the full letter.
We’ve sent a letter to Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne articulating the issue and outlining the changes needed. With the Minister’s support, Manitoba has the chance to update the list of eligible programs, level the playing field for our business community, and unlock greater investment opportunity in our province.
Is there an issue impacting you? To get assistance navigating government relations, contact our Policy and Government Relations Manager, Gwen Black.
What We’re Watching: Key Trends and Emerging Issues
City of Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg is back in session, and we’re not wasting any time. This month Loren Remillard, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, met with Joseph Dunford, the City of Winnipeg’s new Chief Administrative Officer, to discuss Chamber priorities, including fostering a customer-centric culture at City Hall and driving Winnipeg’s economic development.
Our Chamber will continue to meet with CAO Dunford on a regular basis to continue advancing these priorities.
Our team is also actively monitoring developments, engaging with City Hall, preparing for the civic election next fall—in which Mayor Scott Gillingham has announced he will be running again—and identifying opportunities to advance our members’ priorities.
Province of Manitoba
The removal of interprovincial trade barriers remains one of our members’ top priorities. Here are some recent updates:
The province signed four Memoranda of Understanding to break down trade barriers and increase labour mobility at this summer’s Council of Federation meeting—commonly referred to as the Premiers’ meeting.
Eliminating these legislative barriers will deliver substantial gains for Canada’s economy at a critical time for business, with ongoing U.S. trade negotiations and new tariffs now in effect. The Chamber continues to advocate for the full removal of all internal trade barriers.
Roadmap to Net-Zero: In June, the Province of Manitoba announced it is consulting Indigenous Nations, municipalities, environmental organizations, businesses, industry, and Manitobans as part of its forthcoming road map to net zero. It is vital that the business community is part of these discussions as we plan for a transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.
- The Chamber attended an information session hosted by the province on September 4 and will continue to advocate for the recommendations outlined in our Environmental Sustainability Policy.
If you are a small or medium-sized enterprise looking to reduce emissions in your business and future-proof your operations, check out Manitoba Chambers, Manitoba Green Advantage Strategic Sustainability Initiative.
- This program is providing up to $20,000 in grant funding to help businesses improve efficiency, and applications for the fall cohort are open now
Government of Canada
Removal of Retaliatory Tariffs: On August 22, Prime Minister Carney announced Canada would match the United States and remove all Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods covered under CUSMA by September 1, 2025. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is strongly in support of this decision, as nearly half (48 per cent) of our members say Canadian counter tariffs have or will impact their businesses.
As trade talks continue, tell us how tariffs are impacting your business by filling out our latest survey.
Budget 2025: The Government of Canada is aiming to develop a federal budget that will support Canadians amid global challenges, with the goal of strengthening Canada’s economy to be the strongest in the G7.
On August 28, The Chamber submitted our recommendations, focusing on:
- Driving economic growth and productivity
- Strengthening Canada’s trade resilience
- Investing in critical infrastructure
- Enhancing the economy’s investment potential through debt reduction and a review of the federal tax regime
