Premier Wab Kinew announced changes to executive council this week, welcoming three new ministers around his cabinet table. This shuffle refreshes certain portfolios and creates a new ministry focused on technology and innovation.
Minister Mike Moroz (MLA for River Heights) joins an expanded cabinet and will lead the newly created Department of Innovation and New Technology. Highlighting the importance of growing Manitoba’s tech industry, the government has conveyed a willingness to better support businesses and foster innovation, which is welcome news to the chamber network.
The provincial government is breaking up the former Ministry of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources into two separate portfolios. Minister Jamie Moses (MLA for St. Vital) will now lead Business, Mining, Trade, and Job Creation while Minister Ian Bushie (MLA for Keewatinook) will oversee Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures.
Also new to cabinet are Mintu Sandhu (MLA for The Maples) and Nellie Kennedy (MLA for Assiniboia) who have been appointed Ministers of Public Service Delivery and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism respectively.
Existing ministers with refreshed portfolios include Glen Simard (MLA for Brandon East) who adds Municipal and Northern Relations to his responsibilities, and Lisa Naylor (MLA for Wolseley) who retains Transportation and Infrastructure.
On behalf of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, we would like to welcome the new cabinet ministers. We look forward to continued collaboration with the provincial government to address issues that are important to Manitoba’s business community and to economic prosperity in our province.
While we expect to learn more in next week’s Throne Speech, we approach the challenges ahead with optimism and a mutual desire to focus on growing Manitoba’s economy.
