Written by Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager
Advocacy in Action
In case you missed it.
“Canada needs more Manitoba”
If you didn’t get to hear it first-hand, that’s what Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources told our business community last week when we joined them At The Table with the Honourable Tim Hodgson.
The Minister’s message was clear. Canada is poised to become a critical mineral, energy, and trade superpower. The federal government is working to move at the speed of business in an effort to capitalize on this fact, and ready to lean on our business community to help lead the charge.
Our takeaways:
- The Minister confirmed Port of Churchill is under consideration for fast-track approval through Canada’s new Major Projects Office. An expanded port, owned by Arctic Gateway Group could generate over $1 billion annually, reduce reliance on a single energy corridor, and provide new trade routes beyond East and West Coast ports.
- Every other G7 country is a net importer of critical minerals – Canada is a net exporter. As Minister Hodgson put it, “those are really good cards.” He’s working with allies to secure long-term contracts guaranteeing demand, making it possible to finance and build new mines. Watch for updates following the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting in October.
- The Minister expressed interest in Premier Wab Kinew’s proposal for an Indigenous Crown Corporation, highlighting its potential to share economic development and expand opportunities for Indigenous people of Manitoba.
CUSMA Public Consultations Launch – Share Your Input
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) has generated billions in economic growth; however, the global trade environment has shifted dramatically since its adoption.
Last week, Canada officially launched public consultations on this agreement. This is a pivotal moment to help shape the country’s trade priorities, so we encourage you to hit the link and have your say.
Our Chamber will also provide feedback and actively participate in consultations to ensure the voice of Winnipeg’s business community is heard. If you have perspectives or ideas to share, please get in touch with our Policy and Government Relations Manager, Gwen Black.
Manitoba's Economic Development Strategy
Today, Premier Wab Kinew released “Manitoba’s Economic Development Strategy”, a plan to make Manitoba a ‘have’ province by 2040.
Key highlights:
- A central focus on creating shared prosperity through:
- Facilitating productive investments with:
- A new $50-million business loan program.
- Modernizing the Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit by exempting retail sales tax on new machinery and equipment.
- Raising the Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit limit by 36%.
- Boosting trade and investment
- Focusing on workforce development
- Developing intellectual property
- Growing productivity in the public sector
- Facilitating productive investments with:
We’ve advocated for an economic development strategy for decades, and finally, we’re looking forward to this development coming to light.
“We commend the Province for bringing business and community leaders together to chart a brighter economic future for Manitoba. While the plan reflects many of our key recommendations, its greatest strength is in setting an ambitious vision, benchmarked by productivity and prosperity. It acknowledges our economic future is driven by increased private sector investment, aided and enabled by an efficient, client-focused public sector. Now the heavy lifting begins on implementation, learning and refinement on the road to 2040.” – Loren Remillard, President and CEO, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
While this strategy addresses several recommendations from our member-informed Economic Growth and Productivity Policy Position, we still want to see it closely tied with the province’s fiscal framework policies.
For any economic growth strategy to be effective, it must be aligned with and supported by a fiscal framework and policies that incent private sector investment and wage growth. Deindexing income taxes and the continued existence of the Manitoba Payroll Tax represent two such policies that hinder rather than help economic growth.
We look forward to working with the Province and our partners in implementing the new strategy and addressing misalignment of fiscal policies to maximize the full impact of the new strategy.
Tariff Support
Has your business been adversely affected by new tariffs from the U.S., China and/or Canadian counter-tariffs?
Then you should check out the federal government’s new Regional Tariff Response Initiative. This program is designed to help businesses mitigate the impacts of tariffs by supporting efforts to raise productivity, enhance competitiveness, and reduce costs.
Nonprofits helping businesses manage tariff impacts are eligible, too.
Learn more and apply for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, click here.
