POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Business advocacy is at the heart of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC). It is about empowering our members, regardless of their size, sector, or region, and working with them to achieve outcomes that benefit the broader business community. It is about building a world-renowned business environment, fostering sustainable economic development, and shaping a more competitive Manitoba.
As Manitoba’s business advocate, the Chambers is an access point for relevant, timely information for our members, as well as public and private stakeholders. MCC connects almost 10,000 organizations of all sizes and across all sectors, and works to influence policies that support sustainable business growth and prosperous communities.
Our advocacy success has lead to innovative and strategic initiatives that enhance economic competitiveness and support continued growth and diversification of Manitoba’s economy. Our voice is always at the forefront, calling for a more business-friendly environment by advocating responsible government and celebrating the achievements and growth of Manitoba business.
We are a respected voice among government decision-makers, and our solutions-based advocacy sets us apart.
Over the course of the past year MCC has tackled a number of specific key policy areas on behalf of the Chamber network including:
Economic Competitiveness
The Chamber network has urged the provincial government to commit to a full review of the tax structure (both personal and corporate) in Manitoba, focused on examining: Implementation of long-term provincial strategies to provide the business community with confidence and certainty that tax reduction is a priority.
The Chamber network strongly encourages the provincial government to establish a comprehensive access to capital strategy that identifies all stages of capital financing, current capital availability and local gaps along with the entire capital gamut (idea incubators, venture capital funds, etc.) and provincial initiatives to address the deficiencies.
Workforce
The Chamber network has called on the provincial government to commit to addressing the enhancement of Labour Market Information through interprovincial collaboration and to consider the establishment of a cross-ministry led committee to improve collection and coordination of timely and accurate LMI efforts.
The Chamber network has recommended the provincial government commit to working with business and education sectors on a strategy to establish a new framework to better identify the needs of business and the development of education programs to meet the growing demand for future employment.
Economic Development
The Chamber network played a key role hosting community summits in the development of a bold and modern approach to economic development for Manitoba.
The Chamber network has played a key role in lead role in the development of both a northern economic development strategy and a rural economic development strategy and the subsequent new Board of Directors for both organizations.
Climate Change
The Chamber network in partnership with the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) held roundtable discussions around the province in an effort to determine the business knowledge that exists about the challenges and opportunities around climate change which resulted in the development of the Climate Action Toolkit for Manitoba Business.
Tourism
- The Chamber network played a key role in the establishment of the 96/4 funding model for Travel Manitoba and the subsequent 95/5 model which has resulted in a significant increase in tourism marketing and Manitoba being recognized by Lonely Planet as a Top 10 Destination in 2019.
- The Chamber network In partnership with Travel Manitoba and the Province of Manitoba developed the Provincial Tourism Strategy which has set an ambitious goal of increasing the number of visitors annually to Manitoba to 12.6 million by 2022 and increase visitor spending to $2.2 billion over that same timeframe
ADVOCACY APPROACH
The MCC researches and develops policy positions that serve to enhance the province’s business competitiveness and to ensure that Manitoba is an attractive place in which to invest and conduct business. The policy team — staff and committee — helps shape the issues for which we advocate through a policy resolution process. At our annual general meeting (AGM), members gather to debate and define the resolutions that inform advocacy efforts for the coming year(s). Out of this process comes a compendium of resolutions, which form the basis of our advocacy work.
For questions about policy & advocacy, contact:
Karen Viveiros, Director – Communications & Policy
204-948-0103
kviveiros@mbchamber.mb.ca
SOCIAL
Earlier today, PS Terry Duguid met with #EconDev leaders from northern #Manitoba at a virtual event to listen to their perspectives on a new Regional Development Agency for the #Prairies.
The @MBGov today announced new COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect on March 5, as well as an additional Bridge Grant installment. If you haven't applied for the Bridge Grant, you have until March 31/2021 to assess your eligibility and apply. https://mbchamber.mb.ca/2021/03/02/province-announces-new-prevention-orders-bridge-into-spring-grant/
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