MBiz | Winter 2026

Landing an advantage BY JIM TIMLICK

MANITOBA’S CENTRAL LOCATION PROVIDES SIZEABLE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES

Photo by Darcy Finley

“There has been so much disruption in supply chains over the last 10 years, everything from the pandemic to strikes to acts of nature. I think companies are seeking optionality in their supply chain. There’s no such thing anymore as ‘This is our one supply chain, and we count on it without any Plan B or flexibility.’ If one company can’t help you get your good where they’re going, there’s probably 10 more within a five-minute drive.” The elephant in the room, of course, is the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the U.S., which continues to create barriers. Chris Lorenc, outgoing president and CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, says while that dispute is frustrating, it isn’t going to last for- ever. That’s why Manitoba’s geographic proximity to the American Midwest and markets like Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City and Denver will once again be vital when normal trade relations resume. Consider that some 1,200 vehicles pass through the border cross- ing in Emerson in a typical day.

it. I think over the last 20 years, you’re seeing a resurgence of us really claim- ing ourselves as the leader of trade and transportation in Canada,” she says. “One of the reasons (CentrePort) was created is because the business community said there are so many advantages to being right in the middle of the country and we have amazing transportation infrastructure. We need to put some strategy around this to make sure that we really see the eco- nomic growth from those advantages.” Those advantages include a 24-7 international airport in Richardson International that can handle cargo night and day, three Class 1 railways that all converge in Winnipeg and can haul goods all the way from Canada to Mexico, and some of the finest trucking infrastructure in all the country. “When you bring all those advantages together and know that you can move goods in all four directions using dif- ferent modes of transportation, that’s a huge advantage for companies in their supply chain,” Edmundson says.

ocation, location, location. It’s an expression that means location is often the most impor- tant consideration when buying real estate. But it’s one that could easily be used in conjunction with Manitoba’s central positioning, the economic advantages that provides and how our location makes the province a key gateway for commerce across Canada and beyond. That strategic location could soon become even more important as this province and the rest of the country has to deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions, shifting global trade patterns and domestic economic resilience. Carly Edmundson, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada, the country’s largest inland port, agrees. Edmundson says while Manitoba missed an opportunity to become a centre of trade, commerce and trans- portation early in its history, it can’t afford to do so a second time. “I think we didn’t fully realize that potential the first time we set out to do

WINTER 2026