Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and Wab Kinew, leader of the official opposition, spoke to more than 150 CEOs, presidents, chamber network and business leaders at the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce annual Manitoba Economic Summit: Moving the Dial and Annual General Meeting held May 5 in Winnipeg.
With Manitobans set to go to the election polls Oct. 3 and the Summit presented an opportunity Stefanson and Kinew to outline how their policy priorities will ensure Manitoba is competitive with other jurisdictions and attract and retain talent needed to support economic growth and prosperity in our province.
Their policy priorities covered a wide range of topics including strengthening the healthcare system, funding for education and its infrastructure, recruitment and retention of talent with impacts on childcare, Manitobans experiencing homelessness, safer communities, agriculture and infrastructure as an economic corridor.
Held in person for the first time since 2019, the Manitoba Economic Summit focused on how the Manitoba economy continues to move forward from the challenges of the last number of years. Across all sectors, businesses are moving the dial in news ways, harnessing competitive edges, tapping innovation and elevating Manitoba’s position on the national stage like never before.
In addition to Stefanson and Kinew keynotes, attendees heard from two panels focused on how sector advantages are being fostered to grow critical pieces of the economy and how business leaders are focusing on new and innovative ways to lead their organizations. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce presented their Economic Outlook for Manitoba via data from the Business Data Lab and Alison Kirkland, CEO of the Women’s Enterprise Organization of Canada, was sworn in as the new board chair.
