Manitoba’s economy is entering a decisive period of transformation. The Innovation and Prosperity Report: Charting a Sovereign, Value-Added Future for Manitoba, released by the provincial Innovation and Productivity Task Force, outlines a clear vision for how Manitoba can strengthen competitiveness through ownership, innovation, and collaboration.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) was an active partner throughout the Task Force process, contributing business insight and on-the-ground experience to shape the recommendations. On Friday, the MCC hosted the public launch of the report, presented in partnership with the University of Manitoba and supported by BellMTS and CanTalk. The event brought together more than 350 representatives from government, business, and academia to hear from Premier Wab Kinew, Jim Balsillie (co-CEO and former Chairman of Research In Motion(BlackBerry)), and Minister Mike Moroz. The event underscored a shared understanding that innovation is central to Manitoba’s economic future.
The MCC welcomes the report as an important call to action for growth and prosperity. It reinforces a simple but powerful truth: innovation begins within the firm. Prosperity is built by businesses that invest, adapt, and take risks while being supported by a policy environment that enables them to do so.
That’s why the MCC, together with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, our Chamber network, and with support from the Province of Manitoba, created Manitoba AI Pathways (MAP) . MAP gives local Chambers the tools and confidence to help businesses embrace digital transformation, providing hands-on AI training and practical, easy-to-use resources they can share with their members.
A Value-Added Future
The report captures a global shift from producing physical goods to creating wealth through ideas, data, and technology. Intangible assets now drive competitiveness. Manitoba’s opportunity lies in translating innovation into ownership and long-term prosperity.
The MCC supports the report’s call for a sovereign, value-added strategy that links innovation to higher productivity, good jobs, and greater economic independence. Every Manitoba business now operates in a technology-driven environment. The challenge is to
ensure that technology serves Manitoba’s interests and that the benefits of innovation stay in the province.
However, this transformation cannot succeed without sufficient and reliable energy. Manitoba’s clean electricity supply remains a strategic advantage, but it is not unlimited. Rising industrial demand will require new generation and transmission capacity. At the same time, new technology-first and data-intensive businesses are increasing demand for stable, low-cost power. Ensuring these firms can access reliable energy must be a top priority if Manitoba is to compete globally.
Innovation and Economic Sovereignty
Innovation succeeds when the broader ecosystem enables growth. The MCC endorses the report’s recommendation for a permanent public–private dialogue to ensure government programs remain aligned with the realities of Manitoba’s business community.
To grow, firms need access to capital, protection for intellectual property, digital adoption supports, and a skilled workforce. The MCC will continue advocating for pragmatic, coordinated policies that empower businesses to innovate and expand.
Moving Forward
The Innovation and Prosperity Report: Charting a Sovereign, Value-Added Future for Manitoba is more than a report—it is a call to action. Building a value-added economy will require sustained collaboration among business, government, and post-secondary institutions.
Manitoba has the expertise, determination, and creativity to lead. By focusing on firm-level innovation, energy readiness, and strategic investment, we can build an economy that is innovative, resilient, and truly our own.
Thank You to our Partners and Sponsors
A special thank you to our Presenting Partner, the University of Manitoba; to our Supporting Partners, BellMTS and CanTalk; to our Networking Partner, EMILI; and to our Recycling Partner, the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA).
We also extend our appreciation to our table sponsors:
- Cansustain
- Daemon Defense Systems
- Davis Cyber Law
- Futurpreneur Canada
- Manitoba Hydro
- Manitoba School Boards Association
- OBS Global
- People First HR
- Pitblado
- RBC Convention Centre
- RRC Polytech
- Sparrow Hotels
- World Trade Centre Winnipeg
