The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is the #VoiceofBusiness in Manitoba. We connect meaningfully with our members and work alongside local chamber leaders, supporting regional advocacy efforts and celebrating entrepreneurial achievements, while influencing provincial policies and leveraging our national chamber organization.
We communicate clearly and transparently with government representatives when advocating for responsible leadership, a business-friendly climate, and sustainable economic development. Our efforts shape a more competitive Manitoba and benefit the broader business community.
OUR APPROACH
The policy team — staff and committee — research and develop policy positions to enhance the province’s competitiveness and to ensure that Manitoba is an attractive place to conduct business and invest.
At our annual general meeting (AGM), members gather to debate and vote on the policy resolutions that will inform our strategic direction and advocacy efforts for the coming year(s). Out of this process comes a compendium of resolutions in a number of key policy areas:
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 IN ACTION
Manitoba Chambers Receives Confirmation of Conversation & Climate Fund Grant
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce was pleased to receive notice today that we are one of 14 successful funding applicants to the Province of Manitoba’s Conversation & Climate Fund. The MCC will...
Summit Tackles Shortage of Rural and Northern Physicians
A special stakeholder Summit was held today in Portage la Prairie, organized by Doctors Manitoba and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The Summit focused on assessing the rural and Northern...
Province of Manitoba Announces Planned Minimum Wage Increases
Last week, the Government of Manitoba announced an increase to the minimum wage. Effective October 1, 2022, Manitoba's minimum wage will increase to $13.50 per hour, with subsequent increases to...
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SOCIAL
An honour to be in attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Awards Gala hosted by @DaveyAngus held at @FairmontWpg representing Board of Directors and @mbchambersofcom #PoweroftheNetwork #VoiceofBusiness
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