Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President & CEO Chuck Davidson was the sole Manitoban participating in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Hill Days this week in Ottawa.
Over the course of three days Davidson participated in a variety of meetings and events with President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Leblanc, Deputy Finance Minister Michael Sabia and several other members of parliament and key political staff from all political parties.
In addition, the four Western Canadian Provincial CEO’s that are members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Western Executive Council joined several business CEOs for a 75-minute meeting on Parliament Hill with Prime Minster Justin Trudeau.
Topics of discussion in this meeting included the importance of strategic infrastructure investments in Western Canada that will enable greater trade opportunities, reducing regulatory uncertainty and the opportunities that exist in Western Canada to grow our agriculture and natural resources to address global needs.
Davidson focused his comments to the Prime Minister on the challenges businesses in Manitoba are experiencing related to workforce challenges. He highlighted the important role immigration plays, the need for greater investment in training and upskilling and the need to support businesses in technology upgrades in an effort to increase efficiency and productivity.
He concluded his remarks by encouraging the Prime Minister to work with the Chamber network to not only better understand the needs of business but in delivering the programs that can have the greatest impact on their prosperity.
