For Immediate Release: Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Reacts to Government of Manitoba Budget 2026
WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce welcomes several measures contained in Budget 2026 that are intended to support Manitoba’s long-term economic growth, respond to global uncertainty, and establish a unified Manitoba voice to champion investment and trade. At the same time, as the voice of Manitoba businesses, we would have welcomed a stronger focus on the challenges facing employers as they continue to navigate a period of economic uncertainty.
The introduction of a Trade and Market Diversification Plan is particularly important as Manitoba’s business community has consistently emphasized the need for a renewed focus on trade and market expansion, especially in the context of ongoing global uncertainty. Central to the success of this initiative is the creation of seamless transportation networks and efficient supply chains. Continued and coordinated investment in trade-enabling infrastructure will ensure Manitoba can fully leverage its strategic geographic position and strengthen access to domestic and international markets.
The creation of a provincial economic development agency, as recommended by the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, is another positive step toward improved coordination, investment attraction, and a more focused approach to economic growth. The success of this agency, however, will depend on a clear mandate, strong alignment with industry, and measurable outcomes.
Investments in child care are also welcomed by MCC, a priority outlined in our budget submission as critical economic infrastructure that enables workforce participation and supports long-term growth. While Manitoba has made important progress on affordability, access to spaces remains a significant constraint. Continued expansion of system capacity will be essential to ensuring parents are able to fully participate in the labour market and employers are able to access the workforce they need.
At their core, provincial budgets must provide certainty and confidence for businesses. Today’s business environment is shaped by geopolitical tensions, evolving trade relationships, rising input costs, and persistent labour shortages—making it increasingly difficult for businesses to plan, invest, and grow.
As a result, business optimism is at its lowest level in several years with results of our most recent Manitoba Business Outlook Survey underscoring the extent of this challenge.
Three-quarters of businesses report that economic uncertainty is affecting their hiring, financial planning, and investment decisions. At the same time, the increasing cost of doing business remains the greatest barrier to growth, followed closely by workforce challenges.
While Budget 2026 focuses on addressing cost pressures for Manitobans, it does less to directly support businesses as they face these challenges head on. MCC’s pre-budget submission was seeking a clearer signal that Manitoba is prepared to take bold, strategic steps—backed by public investment—to unlock private sector capital and give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.
While we are encouraged that no new cost pressures on business have been introduced, the budget does not yet provide the level of certainty businesses are seeking.
Workforce capacity also remains a critical constraint, with employers telling MCC their primary challenge with apprenticeship training is access. Manitoba’s current 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio limits the number of apprentices employers can take on, restricting entry into the trades at a time of acute labour shortages, even with Budget 2026’s welcome increase in funding for apprenticeship training.
Restoring flexibility in apprenticeship ratios, such as a return to a 2:1 model where appropriate, would support both safety and workforce growth. MCC looks forward to continued dialogue with government about adjustments to increase capacity and make meaningful increases in the number of skilled workers entering the labour market.
Budgets must do more than address short-term affordability. They must create the conditions for long-term economic growth, investment attraction, and business confidence. That means focusing on competitiveness, workforce capacity, and a predictable operating environment for business.
In Manitoba, federal transfer payments represent approximately one-third of total revenue. Increased reliance on federal transfers, debt servicing costs that are expected to reach $2.3 billion, and constrained investment in sectors that drive economic growth, presents a risk to Manitoba’s long-term competitiveness and the province’s goal of becoming a “have” province.
The province’s net debt is projected to rise to $39.7 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion over the previous year. Greater clarity on the path back to balance and long-term fiscal sustainability are vital to maintaining business confidence and to taking full advantage of our moment of “great economic opportunity.”
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Manitoba to ensure the province is well-positioned to seize these economic opportunities ahead.
