For our northern economy to thrive, we have to change our mindset from grievance to growth, from entrenchment to enterprise, and from a mode of dependence to modes of inter-dependence and independence. Our Manitoba government knows we need to listen to and work with residents of the Thompson area and all northerners to develop policies that benefit everyone over the long term.
We can learn from people coming together with our government to discuss ideas and to solve problems. A prime example was seen in the north early this week, when Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen and I took part in the launch of our government’s Look North Summit in The Pas, followed by a presentation and tour of Canadian Kraft Paper Industries. After working with First Nations and various levels of government to avoid closure of this paper mill in The Pas, the new owners saw the value of the people in the north, invested in their operation and are growing their client base. People and businesses all over Northern Manitoba are benefitting as a result.
This summit in The Pas and two others in Thompson and Churchill this week were the next step of our Look North Strategy for long-term and sustainable economic development in Northern Manitoba. Each running for two days, the three meetings involved businesses, industry, labour and communities and helped form partnerships to find opportunities for northern growth, development and diversification.
It was my pleasure, as well, to help kick off the Look North Summit in Thompson. Hosted by Look North Task Force co-chairs Chief Christian Sinclair of Opaskwayak Cree Nation and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Chuck Davidson, the event attracted a large number of people who shared their ideas for growing our northern economy. These summits began the process of getting people’s ideas out in the open, identifying barriers to growth and developing a strategy for our government in effectively promoting investment in Northern Manitoba.
Separately, our Progressive Conservative government is also making investments that support reliable and accessible public transit infrastructure throughout the province, and is helping to fund four projects in Thompson – transit signage, two new transit shelters and purchases of a new bus and handivan.
Our government will continue to earn the trust of Northern Manitobans by keeping our promises. Despite a campaign of fear used by others, we will continue to protect front-line workers while fixing our province’s finances, repairing our services and rebuilding our economy.
