WORKING SMARTER
O ur province is poised to lead the way in its next steps. The Manitoba government launched its Innovation and Productivity Task Force this past May, and the group has been meeting every two weeks since to provide strategic advice on how to safely and securely implement new and emerging technologies to support the economy and promote data-driven decision- making in the province. The task force has put together recommendations for a strategic plan to help guide the provincial government as it seeks to implement innovation and productivity initiatives like artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property policy and sovereign cloud strategies to ensure data storage and processing are governed and handled securely without the need to travel through jurisdictions that may lack sufficient protections or safety requirements. “We’ve pulled together some of the best and brightest thought leaders here in Manitoba, and they’ve really leaned into this and dedicated Canada’s evolving innovation economy — and is picking the brains of bright, passionate Manitobans from across sectors to help guide WORKING SMARTER Innovation and Productivity Task Force aims to position Manitoba as a leader in digital governance and economic competitiveness BY SHERRY KANIUGA
Jim Balsillie
Mike Moroz
and Innovation and former co-CEO of Research in Motion (BlackBerry). “Manitoba has more quick potential to harness than just about other place in Canada and I see a tremendous opportunity to really accelerate the prosperity of the province,” says Balsillie, who agreed to co-chair the task force at the request of Premier Wab Kinew. Getting down to business The task force’s nine members have been busy discussing the opportunities for the province, while also gathering feedback from representatives of a range of sectors to ensure best practices are followed. Committee members Debra Jonasson-Young, executive director of entrepreneurship with the Asper School of Business, and Clara Buelow, the Manitoba
tremendous energy and thought,” says Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz, who is co-chairing the task force alongside
entrepreneur and philanthropist Jim Balsillie, co-founder and chair of the
Council of Canadian Innovators, founder of the Centre for International Governance
Clara Buelow
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WINTER 2025
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