Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 3 By Heather Stefanson E very investment in strategic infrastructure creates new opportunities for Manitobans. Opportunity for the Indigenous father who can now support his family with a good-paying job in a northern mine; opportunity for the newcomer in suburban Winnipeg who gets a new promotion at her local manufacturing company; and opportunity for the multigenerational family farm that can access new markets and thrive after years of adversity. The same roads we travel to work carry the foundational elements of our economy, and we must make sure they are maintained and safe. Since becoming Premier of Manitoba, our PC government has made infrastructure a top priority. Our 5-year plan, released this spring, outlines our commitment to growing the economy through a historic investment of $14 billion in new schools, hospitals, roads, housing, parks, airports, and water infrastructure. This includes a minimum of $500 million annually into our provincial highways. The majority of this targeted funding is dedicated to bolstering Manitoba's capacity for international trade as we respond to global economic uncertainties. Amidst rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and international conflicts like the Ukraine crisis, international businesses see Manitoba as a stable place to invest. They are drawn by our historic tax cuts, low electricity rates, and record mineral exploration investments. Most importantly, they see Manitoba's transformation into a globally recognized trade and transportation hub. Our strategic geographic location at the heart of North America, coupled with access to tidewater at the Port of Churchill, give us, and them, unique advantages. We are harnessing these advantages with investments that improve our highway system and strengthen our supply chains. At the core of our 5-year plan is a commitment to stable and predictable infrastructure investments so that our industry partners can build the capacity to meet future construction demands. This includes developing national trade corridors, an improved trade and commerce grid, and the transformation of Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway into a true freeway, mirroring the U.S. Interstate model. The National Trade Corridors Strategy within our plan prioritizes the safety and efficiency of Manitoba's critical trade routes, beginning with the twinning of Highway 1 from Falcon Lake to the Ontario border – a long overdue project that will enhance safety and trade capacity. In the coming years, we aim to develop a sustainable northern economic corridor through to the Hudson Bay coast, enabling the export of key resources from across Western Canada. Our 5-year plan aligns with our vision of making Manitoba a global destination for trade and investment. This vision includes the development of two ports to facilitate global trade. We have already invested $40 million to expand CentrePort, North America's largest inland port and foreign trade zone, which will attract more than $1 billion in investment once completed. Additionally, we have invested $74 million in the Hudson Bay rail line to the Port of Churchill, unlocking the potential to transport Western Canadian commodities to European markets. We are also supporting the redevelopment of the Thompson airport with a $20-million investment, the only provincial government to do so in over 25 years. Over the past year, our government has established the Manitoba Strategic Corridors Advisory Council to inform and support our approach to advancing economic growth with the first-hand expertise and experience of industry. This work supports the memorandum of understanding signed with Alberta and Saskatchewan to advance economic corridors and support the movement of goods and services within Western Canada. Nationally, I have proudly led efforts in advocating for more federal investments in Manitoba's strategic infrastructure. In July, I joined with premiers across Canada to urge the Prime Minister to convene a First Ministers' Meeting to discuss a national infrastructure strategy and funding. We can only get our commodities and products to market more efficiently than ever before by working together. As the provincial election nears, I urge you to reflect on which leader, and which party, you trust to invest in the critical infrastructure that will power our economy. Our government is listening, we're taking action, and we're getting the job done for your industry. Through our continued partnership, I am confident we will grow our economy and create endless opportunities for all Manitobans. Heather Stefanson is Premier of Manitoba and Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba Transportation infrastructure – roads carry the economy By Wab Kinew G rowing the economy to attract new businesses and create good jobs is one of the most important goals of any government. A Manitoba NDP government will work with all sectors to ensure Manitoba is a competitive place for businesses to grow and thrive, supporting an excellent quality of life for families across the province. Trade is one of the foundations of Manitoba's economy. And trade can only take place when we have a reliable transportation system that allows producers to reach markets in Canada and around the world. To expand and maintain our transportation system, the Manitoba NDP will provide consistent, healthy investment in highways, roads and bridges to restore and maintain the province's transportation infrastructure. A significant portion of Manitoba's trade is with other countries. But not all companies and producers have the ability to fully access these markets. This is a job the PC Government, under Heather Stefanson, has failed to properly prioritize. We will work with industry to expand markets for Manitoba products and champion our businesses, especially in trade with the United States. To achieve our shared goals, the construction industry needs predictability and proper funding from government. The Stefanson government cut the infrastructure budget by hundreds of millions of dollars, and we know it will take a significant effort to help repair the damage. The Manitoba NDP will work together with industry partners to plan for the short, medium, and long-term, building on existing $500 million annual commitments. We will provide timely information on upcoming projects and invest every year to build the roads, highways and buildings of the future. Without skilled workers, infrastructure projects can't be completed on time and on budget. The Manitoba NDP will expand training programs to increase the supply of apprentices, journeypersons and other skilled workers in the trades. In particular, we will work with stakeholders to diversify the workforce to take advantage of untapped skills and to include more women, Indigenous people and new Canadians. In terms of moving projects forward, not all municipalities have the strong tax base needed to meet core infrastructure needs. The Manitoba NDP will work with municipalities to ensure they have strong fiscal foundations so they can develop the infrastructure they need to thrive. After seven years of frozen municipal funding under the Stefanson PC Government, we know we need a change in direction. Manitoba has always enjoyed an advantage when it comes to clean and affordable hydro energy and many firms have settled here to take advantage of that competitive edge. The Manitoba NDP will develop more sources of green energy to ensure continued low costs for industries and stimulate growth well into the future, while also addressing the climate crisis. The Manitoba NDP look forward to working with the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and other industry partners to move towards a shared vision for a thriving and sustainable economy where families can raise their children and enjoy a bright future. Wab Kinew is leader of the official Opposition and the New Democratic Party of Manitoba Highways, trade and competitiveness key to growing economy By Dougald Lamont M anitoba has extraordinary potential for growth. We have talent, research and innovation, and some of the most abundant natural resources in the world, and Manitoba Liberals are offering a real choice for real change. As Manitoba Liberals see it, we need to grow the private sector in Manitoba. Capitalism requires capital, and there has been a capital drought in Manitoba for entrepreneurs for decades, and a refusal to invest in the basic infrastructure that benefits everyone. The best way to grow and build both personal and community wealth in this province, so we can all be more self-reliant, is to invest in starting and growing more independent, Manitoba-owned businesses. It is sometimes argued that the reason Manitoba faces economic challenges is that Manitoba's public sector is too large compared to its private sector. The top-down solution is to shrink the public sector – through attrition, cuts, freezes and layoffs. This doesn't translate into new businesses or a richer private sector – it shrinks the whole economy, because Manitobans and businesses alike don't have services they need. Instead of investing local business and infrastructure, NDP and PC governments have routinely committed hundreds of millions of dollars in public subsidies, grants and one-off tax arrangements to subsidize companies from outside of Manitoba. The PCs offered $1.7-billion to Amazon to locate here. The Manitoba Liberal vision to increasing prosperity and building wealth is about growing a stronger Manitoba economy from the grassroots up, instead of from the top down: growing independent Manitoba businesses across the province will make us stronger and more self-reliant, while our infrastructure investments should aim for minimal environmental impact. Our solution to access to capital is to create a politically independent Manitoba Business Development Bank, with $100-million/year in funds. It would be equity, not debt-based and provide access to entrepreneurs to start up and scale up. We will provide Manitoba businesses and farms with new tools for debt relief, including a new Manitoba Debt Compromise Board (MDCB) which would help borrowers unload burdensome debt to set the stage for future growth. We want to keep farmers on the farm and owners in the business. We are also proposing immediate investments to rebuild our services and infrastructure – to generate growth and future revenues. We will invest in strategic trade infrastructure and corridors that increase the efficiency and movement of goods through Manitoba, with CentrePort Canada, Churchill, and Emerson being three critical ports. With inflation and rising costs, there is real urgency in getting these projects done, and we will ensure MTI plays a long-term strategic planning role. Trade goes both ways. Manitoba must be making, adding value to and exporting our own goods as well as moving others. That means focusing on value-added production and a commitment to food, medical and energy security. We have committed to Indigenous engagement through the creation of an Indigenous Secretariat so that policies are developed with Indigenous consultation, input and partnership. We are also committed to improving funding to Municipalities – and one example is our proposed $300-million annual Green Fund, which would fund environmental projects that fight climate change. Municipalities would be eligible for grants for infrastructure upgrades, energy retrofits, as well as rewilding, tree planting and conservation. We are the only party offering a real choice for real change on Manitoba's economy. Dougald Lamont is the Leader of the Liberal Party of Manitoba Supporting business, supporting trade in Manitoba

• Cover