At a time when the news has been full of reports of major corporatebankruptcies and the devastating impact of the worldwide recession on many communities what hasn't been reported is the degree that there has been a different situation in Manitoba. Our diversified economy and our focus on community economic development are a significant part of the reason why Manitoba's economy has fared better than many other jurisdictions.
This was my message to a major conference on community economic development that took place in Manitoba this week. Manitoba has placed a high priority on community economic development as a key part of our overall economic strategy.
Community economic development involves partnering with communities to promote sustainable social and economic development.
One of the best examples in Manitoba of CED has been the success of the Neighbourhoods Alive (NA) initiative. It has been in place for over seven years in Thompson, Winnipeg and Brandon. We recently expanded NA to Portage, Dauphin, Selkirk, The Pas and Flin Flon.
Here in Northern Manitoba the Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF) has made a difference since the 1970s. Its long-term future was highlighted by the opening of its new building in Thompson last week.
Other initiatives such as the Northern Healthy Food initiative are also about community economic development.
In Manitoba we have also taken a very different approach to major developments. We are building the Wuskwatim Generating Station in partnership with the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
Last week Manitoba Hydro signed the Joint Keeyask Development Agreement with the Tataskweyak Cree Nation, the Fox Lake Cree Nation, the York Factory First Nation and the War Lake First Nation. This will make the four communities direct partners in this future development.
These partnerships came as a result of a great deal of work and significant debate in the communities. They represent a very different approach from the past.
Manitoba is not immune to the world wide economic slowdown. I believe the fact that we are faring better than most jurisdictions is no accident. Our focus on community economic development is clearly one of the reasons why.
