December 31, 2019
Manitoba Government Delivers Update on Economic Growth Action Plan
– – –Province Making Progress on Private-Sector Investment and Job Creation: Eichler
The Manitoba government is spurring private-sector investment and job creation with a number of exciting initiatives, Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.
“Entrepreneurs, not governments, create jobs. However, it’s our government’s role to ensure Manitoba creates the right conditions for the private sector to thrive and create these jobs,” said Eichler. “Our Team Manitoba approach to developing the economy is about collaboration with industry and educational institutions to attract businesses to the province, and to support growth and expansion of local enterprises.”
A year ago, the Manitoba government announced its Economic Growth Action Plan, which is gaining momentum on several fronts through the new Manitoba Works Job Plan launched in October 2019, noted Eichler. The ambitious plan to enable the creation of 40,000 jobs across Manitoba over the next four years will be a result of co-operation across government departments, with the Team Manitoba partners and the private sector.
As part of the Team Manitoba approach, the new provincial Economic Development Office is putting an emphasis on teamwork and improved co-ordination, reduced duplication and the elimination of red tape to help create clear pathways for investors and entrepreneurs.
Better co-ordination between industry, Manitoba’s post-secondary education system and immigration programs will support increased alignment for training and skills development to meet emerging labour market needs. The government’s forthcoming Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy will ensure Manitoba has the right skills sets and a talented workforce to enable a thriving economy, the minister said.
“The culture of innovation we are creating will greatly assist industry and spur growth in our economy,” said Eichler. “The alignment of the post-secondary system and immigration with the needs of Manitoba’s labour market is a critical element of this strategy, and many other levers in the Department of Economic Development and Training are being harmonized to support further growth.”
The Manitoba government’s recent measures for economic development include:
• Oct. 3 – Premier Brian Pallister launched the Manitoba Works plan to begin identifying actions for spurring economic growth, with the focus on a partnership with the private sector to create 40,000 jobs over four years. The kick off event was augmented by an online survey to gain public and stakeholder input.
• Oct. 4 – Manitoba removed a number of its exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement to further reduce interprovincial trade barriers.
• Oct. 16 – the Manitoba government announced the new $20-million Mineral Development Fund, which will help jump-start mineral and economic development initiatives in the north and throughout the province.
• Nov. 6 – the government launched the Manitoba Skills Survey, which will inform the Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy to be launched in the new year. It will focus on ensuring Manitobans have the right skills, talent and knowledge to build a thriving economy.
• Nov. 21 – Manitoba signed a new consultation protocol with Manto Sipi Cree Nation to advance mineral development.
• Nov. 26 – the government announced an interim board for a new rural economic development organization based in Brandon.
• Dec. 12 – the Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy hosted its first online town hall.
• Dec. 16 – the government announced funding of more than $144,000 for Winnipeg-based
high-tech company Bold Commerce to support its plans to create 400 jobs over the next two and a half years.
• Dec. 17 – the government announced funding of $550,000 for the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology to support its Cyber Security Technical Centre of Excellence project.
· Dec. 18 – the government announced it will invest up to $11.9 million through tax increment financing to support Phase 1 of the Railside project, a mixed-use development at The Forks.
Manitoba Economic Development and Training is working on several new initiatives that it will roll out over the coming months, said Eichler.
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