Our Manitoba government is launching its Economic Growth Action Plan that will transform the delivery of economic development programming in the north and across the province. When we formed government in 2016, we inherited an unfocused group of programs without co-ordination or ways to measure outcomes. Changing course, we are now moving in a modern direction to find real economic opportunities.
The Economic Growth Action Plan comes in response to recommendations from more than 500 representatives of business, industry and Indigenous groups, among others. It outlines an approach to create and phase in economic development policies.
An economic growth committee of cabinet was recently set up to deal with the need for a co-ordinated government effort for growing Manitoba’s economy. As well, the new Manitoba Economic Development Office will lead the provincial economic development initiatives and build on current strategies such as Look North, rural economic development, Manitoba’s Climate and Green Plan and the reduction of red tape.
Four major partner organizations for Northern Manitoba, the Winnipeg capital region, the City of Winnipeg and rural Manitoba will serve their areas’ needs. Meanwhile, the established strategic partners North Forge, World Trade Centre and Travel Manitoba will deliver programming for innovation, trade and tourism.
Partnership organizations will receive funding through the provincial Department of Growth, Enterprise and Trade’s Partnership for Economic Growth Program, targeting strategic and regional partners.
Our government is working hard to rebuild the economy in our province, and to unlock the untapped economic opportunities in Manitoba and around the world.
