MBiz

5 WINTER 2024 COMMITTED TO ADVOCACY COMMITTED TO ADVOCACY T he Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is dedi- cated to championing business in Manitoba, advocating for strategic investments and in- novative approaches that enhance economic growth, and addressing Manitoba's most pressing policy issues on behalf of our members. Here are just a few of the things we've been up to. ECONOMICS & YOUTH MOBILITY IN MB Over the past decade close to 25,000 more young peo- ple have left Manitoba than moved here. Working with the Canada West Foundation through funding from the Government of Manitoba, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce released a report in September based on research investigating youth mobility trends in the province. The study found that youth have several concerns that might motivate them to leave — not just housing costs and low taxes but also social factors like cultural experiences, safety and quality of life. Solving these challenges won't be easy, but it's not impossible. Manitobans need to come together to change the nar- rative and promote a province in which future genera- tions and newcomers can grow and thrive. ADVISING THE PREMIER It's been almost a year since the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce's president and CEO Chuck Davidson was invited to join Premier Wab Kinew's new Premier's Business and Jobs Council to share his expertise and offer creative solutions to current economic challeng- es, along with 35 others including MCC board member Sachit Mehra, owner of East India Company Restau- rants. Davidson has met with the council several times and serves on two sub-committees concerning the clean energy economy and Canada-U.S. trade. TALKING TRADE The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce was pleased to partner with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to host a roundtable on inter-provincial trade with Jeannine Ritchot, federal assistant deputy minister, Multilateral Relations in the Intergovernmental Affairs Section of the Privy Council, along with Lezlee Dunn, assistant deputy minister, Federal-Provincial Rela- tions and International Relations for the Province of Manitoba, and a dozen business and industry leaders in Manitoba. The discussion focused on strengthening internal trade and how business and government can work together to address trade challenges faced by Manitoba businesses. CALLING FOR RELIEF AT THE LAKE AND ON THE RAILS When Parks Canada restricted water access in Riding Mountain National Park for the spring and summer season after finding zebra mussels in Clear Lake, area businesses knew they would suffer. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has been supporting the Tour- ism Industry Association of Manitoba and Indigenous Tourism Manitoba in advocating for economic relief funds and other supports from the government to ad- dress impacts to visitor experiences, local businesses and jobs. We also extended our support in a joint letter to the prime minister and ministers in August, urging them to intervene and avert the threatened work stoppage in Canada's Class 1 railways. An extended disruption would have left Canadians with access to fewer goods and products, driving up prices and exacerbating af- fordability challenges, while also putting the liveli- hoods of millions of workers in jeopardy. While the lockout did happen, it was swiftly resolved. Learn more at mbchamber.mb.ca/advocacy MCC president and CEO Chuck Davidson with assistant deputy minister Jeannine Ritchot and assistant deputy minister Lezlee Dunn after the roundtable on inter-provincial trade.

• Cover