Provincial investment will support expanded economic opportunities for Manitoba businesses – Chuck Davidson, MCC
At a time of global uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics, taking steps to strengthen interprovincial trade is an immediate and practical way for Manitoba to enhance its economic resilience.
In our 2026 pre-budget submission, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) suggested it is time to prioritize what we can control here at home, focusing on strategies and policies that strengthen our local economy and enhance Manitoba’s resilience globally.
We pushed for closer collaboration between Manitoba and our provincial and territorial partners to reduce internal trade barriers and regulations that increase the cost of business and suggested specific trade missions to help local companies reach new customers.
Budget 2026 is going to help us move the needle on both. A $500,000 provincial commitment to MCC-led interprovincial market access missions will give small- and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to expand into other Canadian markets.
For many SMEs, expanding beyond Manitoba is not as simple as it should be. Regulatory differences, procurement complexity, logistical friction, and limited trusted networks can be barriers to delay market entry, increase costs, and discourage firms from pursuing domestic opportunities altogether.
MCC, with the help of the Government of Manitoba’s latest investment, is here to help. With curated missions that will open doors for Manitoba businesses, the two-year Interprovincial Market Access initiative is designed to move Prairie SMEs from market exploration to measurable domestic sales.
The initiative draws upon MCC’s experience delivering trade missions since 2018 and includes formal collaboration with the Saskatchewan and Alberta Chambers of Commerce. Over the next two years, the initiative is expected to support approximately 120 Manitoba small- and medium-sized businesses to increase interprovincial sales, diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
Participants will have access to structured trade readiness assessments and regulatory guidance, curated interprovincial market access missions, sector-focused buyer–supplier matchmaking, procurement pathway briefings, and sustained deal acceleration and structured post-mission follow-up.
Over the two-year life cycle of the initiative, it is expected to generate:
- $7–8 million in incremental domestic sales
- 25 Prairie firms securing new interprovincial commercial relationships
- 10 highly qualified personnel roles created
- 15–20 additional jobs supported
- $1.5 million in private sector investment leveraged
The project will also document systemic interprovincial trade barriers and provide evidence-based insights to inform provincial and national internal trade policy reform.
More details on the interprovincial missions and localized trade missions within Manitoba will be made available in the coming weeks, with stops in the works for Winkler, Churchill, Thompson, and Brandon.
Stay tuned to MCC platforms for your opportunity to get involved, connect with partners, and take the next step in growing your business within Canada.
Read the government news release.
