Written by Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
Join Us in Our Advocacy
Fall is a great time to get involved in advocacy at The Chamber. During this season, the federal government, Province of Manitoba, and City of Winnipeg all return to regular sittings:
- The House of Commons returns on September 21.
- Winnipeg City Council will hold its last meeting before the election on September 24 – with a newly elected Council returning in November.
- The Province returns to the Legislature on September 29.
At The Chamber, we believe our advocacy is strongest when it reflects the experiences and priorities of our members. We want your voice at the table and heard at all levels of government.
Here are ways you can get involved in our advocacy…
How You Can Shape Chamber Policy
Our advocacy is informed by the businesses and organizations we represent. You can help shape our policy positions at every stage of the process:
- Share What You’re Seeing
Tell us about the challenges, opportunities, and emerging issues affecting your business. We gather member perspectives through surveys, direct conversations, and our Councils and Committees. - Bring Us Evidence and Ideas
Share data, examples from your business or sector, and potential solutions. These insights help our team understand an issue’s impact and identify practical policy responses. - Join the Conversation
Participate in our consultations, roundtables, Councils and Committees, or connect us with relevant sector expertise. Member perspectives help us test ideas and strengthen our recommendations. - Help Us Strengthen the Case
As we develop recommendations, members can help us validate impacts, identify unintended consequences, and show why an issue matters to Winnipeg’s business community.
Our team then brings together member input, research, and stakeholder perspectives to develop recommendations for internal review and, where appropriate, Board approval.
What We’re Looking for in Member Feedback
Your input helps ensure our recommendations are grounded, relevant, and achievable. When sharing feedback, we encourage you to consider:
- What is the root of the challenge you’re facing? Help us understand the underlying issue, not just the symptoms. The more context you share, the more targeted our policy solutions can be.
- What policy or regulatory change would help? Is it a rule, a process, a funding barrier, or a lack of coordination between levels of government?
- What’s working that others could learn from? If you’ve found a solution that works, sharing it helps shape better policy for all.
- What would meaningful progress look like to you? Whether it’s reduced timelines, increased funding, or clearer communication, your definition of success helps us define ours.
- Could this be an opportunity to advance reconciliation and equity? Consider: who might be excluded from current policies or decisions? Where do opportunities exist to build a more inclusive and equitable business environment?
Member Feedback in Action
In August, we met with the Honourable Mintu Sandhu, Minister of Public Service Delivery, to raise concerns our members brought forward about proposed changes to rent regulation.
Thank you to our members who shared their experiences and feedback with us. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as they become available.
Get Involved
- Want to be on a policy committee? Contact Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager, at [email protected] to learn how.
- Tell us how tariffs are affecting your business. Share your experience and help bring Winnipeg’s business perspective directly to government.
- Want to know what we are advocating for to address community safety, downtown revitalization, or workforce development? Read our policy positions.
Save the Date: Events You Won’t Want to Miss
At The Chamber, we’re proud to host thought-provoking events that connect businesses with leaders from all levels of government. Make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting events we have planned this year.
September 22, 2026: Export Planning 101, a partner event with World Trade Centre Winnipeg. Get your ticket.
October 22, 2026: At the Table with Richard Madan, Manitoba’s Senior Representative to the United States. Get your ticket.
December 9, 2026: State of The Province. Featuring Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba. Get your ticket.
Coming this spring:
- February 2027: At the Table with Chief Bowers, Chief of Police for the Winnipeg Police Service
- March 2027: State of the City. Featuring Winnipeg’s Next Mayor
- March 2027: ECONx. A conference bringing together businesses and community leaders to chart a path forward for Winnipeg and Manitoba.
- April 2027: At the Table with Mary W. Rowe, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute
- April 2027: Civic Leaders Dinner. An evening full of conversation with members of Winnipeg’s next City Council and City of Winnipeg Administration.
Help shape the voice of your Winnipeg Chamber – one of Canada’s eight largest Chambers and Manitoba’s leading business organization for six consecutive years and counting (Manitoba Business Leaders Index, Probe Research (Canada)).
Contact Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager, at [email protected] to learn how.
