MBiz | Winter 2023

WINTER 2023, VOL. 23

LOOKING AHEAD The economic horse pulls the social cart: Q&A with The

Honourable Wab Kinew

Watching my community thrive demonstrates the hog sector’s commitment to rural Manitoba.

Manitoba’s hog sector contributes 22,000 jobs and $2.3 billion annually to the provincial GDP.

Marilyn Crewe , Economic Development Officer, Neepawa, MB

Economic horses pull social carts Economic growth and development across Manitoba, led by the province’s hog sector, have led to social progress in areas like health care and education, which are key to the fabric of urban and rural communities. Manitoba’s hog sector is an economic powerhouse, contributing over $2.3 billion to the provincial GDP each year. That’s the equivalent of 16 emergency room expansions at St. Boniface Hospital, 11 highway interchanges on the Perimeter Highway at St. Mary’s Road, or 72 new schools.

An impact across the province According to statistics compiled by Economic Development Winnipeg, Manitoba’s hog sector contributes more than two times as much as the provincial aerospace sector to the Manitoba economy, and trails only the transportation, advanced manufacturing, and energy sectors in terms of economic impact. That includes directly or indirectly employing over 22,000 Manitobans across the province in well-paid and full-time jobs, enough people to fill both Canada Life Centre and Shaw Park combined. Since 2017, over 40 new barn sites or expansions have been approved across the province. This recent growth represents over 100 new jobs and $200 million in private investment, further increasing Manitoba’s primary agricultural production.

Manitobans are employed in the hog sector , across careers in food processing, transportation, animal care, technology, environmental sciences, and various trades. 22,000

manitobapork.com/economy

WINTER 2023, VOL. 23

MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE jointhechamber.ca

President & CEO Chuck Davidson

NORMAN: Churchill Chamber of Commerce Flin Flon & District Chamber of Commerce Lynn Lake Chamber of Commerce Snow Lake Chamber of Commerce The Pas & District Chamber of Commerce Thompson Chamber of Commerce PARKLAND : Parkland Chamber of Commerce Roblin & District Chamber of Commerce Rossburn & District Chamber of Commerce Russell & District Chamber of Commerce Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce CENTRAL: Carman & Community Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce Notre-Dame-De-Lourdes MacGregor & District Chamber of Commerce Oakville & District Chamber of Commerce Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Treherne & District Chamber of Commerce CAPITAL: Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce francophone de Saint-Boniface Headingley Regional Chamber of Commerce Indigenous Chamber of Commerce La Salle & District Chamber of Commerce Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group Niverville Chamber of Commerce Selkirk Biz Stonewall & District Chamber of Commerce The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce PEMBINA VALLEY: Altona & District Chamber of Commerce Crystal City & District Chamber of Commerce Morden Chamber of Commerce Morris & District Chamber of Commerce Plum Coulee & District Chamber of Commerce Rosenort & District Chamber of Commerce Winkler & District Chamber of Commerce

EASTERN: Beausejour & District Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce de St. Malo & du District Chambre de commerce Saint-Pierre-Jolys Falcon/West Hawk Chamber of Commerce Lac du Bonnet & District Chamber of Commerce Pinawa Chamber of Commerce Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce Springfield Chamber of Commerce Steinbach Chamber of Commerce WESTERN: Boissevain & District Chamber of Commerce Brandon Chamber of Commerce Carberry Chamber of Commerce Deloraine-Winchester Chamber of Commerce Elkhorn District Chamber of Commerce Rapid City & District Chamber of Commerce Souris & Glenwood Chamber of Commerce Virden Community Chamber of Commerce Waskada & Area Chamber of Commerce INTERLAKE: Central Interlake Chamber of Commerce Eriksdale & District Chamber of Commerce Fisher Branch Chamber of Commerce Gimli Chamber of Commerce Teulon & District Chamber of Commerce MIDWEST:

Director of Communications & Marketing Tammy Sawatzky

THE FREE PRESS winnipegfreepress.com

President and CEO Darren Murphy

Director, Advertising, Lifestyles Publications Charlene Adam charlene.adam@freepress.mb.ca Editor Jennifer McFee Writers Sherry Kaniuga

Wendy King Todd Lewys Kristin Marand Judy Owen Lindsey Ward

Erickson Chamber of Commerce Gladstone Chamber of Commerce Hamiota Chamber of Commerce Minnedosa Chamber of Commerce

Photography Darcy Finley Ian McCausland Numerous organizations supplied Design Shakar Hagiev MBiz Magazine is published on Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. To advertise, call 204-697-7390

Neepawa & District Chamber of Commerce Rivers & District Chamber of Commerce Shoal Lake & District Chamber of Commerce Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce

3 WINTER 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

T he Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) staff and board have been busy working on our strategic plan to ensure the future direction of our organization continues to serve the needs of our members. With input from the board of directors, chamber staff, members of the chamber network, key stakeholders and a variety of community groups, Ben Dueck of Cantera Leadership guided the development of a roadmap with three areas of focus. The updated strategic plan will strengthen connections and advocacy, develop and explore programs and events that enhance the business community, and strengthen and diversify chamber membership. Executing these goals will see the chamber create stronger relationships in Ottawa and spark untapped collaborations in the chamber network, particularly with under-represented groups. Through our provincial advocacy efforts, policy work will build upon our Vote Prosperity election platform to ensure that

MCC remains the strong, credible voice of business in Manitoba. In addition, MCC delivers a number of initiatives that benefit the business community, including the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, Digital Manitoba Initiative and the newly announced Indigenous Inclusion and Partnership Fund Program. We will continue to deliver these important projects and work with all levels of government to explore other opportunities that support Manitoba businesses. Guided by our mission and vision to make Manitoba the best place to live and work, the Manitoba Chambers look forward to the work ahead as we continue to champion sustainable economic growth toward greater prosperity for Manitoba businesses and communities.

ALISON KIRKLAND Chair, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Board of Directors

2023–2024 MCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS Vince Barletta

Harvest Manitoba Stephen Chychota Parkland Chamber of Commerce & CEM Representative Barry Cooper Heritage Co-op & Brandon Chamber of Commerce Jamie Dumont Chadwick Consulting Ltd. and Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Luis Escobar Stantec James Fehr RBC Royal Bank Josh Girman PCL Constructors Canada Inc. Paul Holden Education Canada Group Kate Loewen Payworks Jordan Ludwig Brandon Business Interiors Sachit Mehra East India Company Pub and Eatery Matt Pilloud MNP LLP Kevin Ploegman Fort Group Chartered Professional Accountants Inc. Karin Pooley People First HR Services Michael Woelcke Arctic Gateway Group

OFFICERS Chair

Alison Kirkland Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada

Past Chair Vice-Chair

Michelle Kuly

Blueprint Inc.

Beverlie Stuart Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology

Vice-Chair

Karly McRae

Lakehouse & Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. & Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Deloitte

Treasurer Secretary

Mike Boucher

Peggy May

Legal

Nicole Smith

Pitblado Law

Counsel

View online at: winnipegfreepress.com/lifestyles

WINTER 2023

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT & CEO CHUCK DAVIDSON

L ast month, Manitobans went to the polls and decided to head in a new direction, electing Wab Kinew and the New Democratic Party to lead our province for the next four years. As the largest and most diverse business organization in the province, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) welcomes the opportunity to work in collaboration with the new provincial government. During the campaign, MCC released our Vote Prosperity platform, which provided recommendations in four key areas that we believe are critical to a growing economy. We were pleased to see unanimous support from all political parties about the importance of a growing economy. Working on your behalf, we will continue to advocate for government to be a partner in creating an economic climate that attracts new business and enables existing businesses to thrive, while recognizing that a robust economy will allow for the delivery of services that Manitobans depend on, including

health care, child care and addressing unprecedented talent shortages. The new provincial government has expressed a willingness to work with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and is committed to adopting many of the recommendations we put forward in our Vote Prosperity election platform. I encourage you to read the interview in this edition of MBiz Magazine with Premier Kinew where we asked him about his vision for the province, what economic prosperity and taxation strategies look like for him and his government, what sectors and industries have the best strategic opportunities and how can we leverage those opportunities. As always, this issue is packed full of stories that showcase our province’s inspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. It also shines a spotlight on community and regional Chambers of Commerce throughout Manitoba and their vital role in fostering economic development. Thank you for reading!

CHUCK DAVIDSON President and CEO Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

Featured in this issue:

Alamos Gold celebrates 20 years 10

A catalyst for positive change 28

Q&A with Premier Wab Kinew

Economic development and immigration in rural Manitoba

5 WINTER 2023

Q&A WITH THE HONOURABLE WAB KINEW

PHOTO BY IAN MCCAUSLAND

THE ECONOMIC HORSE PULLS THE SOCIAL CART: Q&A WITH THE HONOURABLE WAB KINEW

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce: You have recently been elected to lead the Government of Manitoba for the next four years as our next premier. Looking ahead to the end of your mandate four years from now, how will Manitoba be different than it is today? What will our economic landscape look like, and what new investments and strategic opportunities will your government have prioritized? Wab Kinew: By the end of our first term, more Manitobans will have access to the health care they need, closer to home. With our government, we will have staffed up the health-care system and opened a new emergency room in south Winnipeg, the Victoria Hospital campus. We’ll have made life more affordable by cutting the gas tax with high inflation and permanently bent the cost curve by freezing hydro rates. We’ll also have taken significant strides in ending chronic homelessness in Manitoba — we will help more people enter the workforce and help create thriving downtowns, from Winnipeg to Brandon.

ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS MCC: During the election campaign, leaders from all parties talked about the importance of growing Manitoba’s economy, and you’ve often referenced that the economic horse pulls the social cart. Please talk about your plan to grow Manitoba’s economy, including how you will make our province more competitive with other jurisdictions and explain what economic prosperity means to you. WK: Our Manitoba NDP government will be responsible stewards of the provincial economy. We promised to build — from hospitals to highways and more — and our government is ready to get to work on achieving our goal of creating 10,000 jobs for Manitobans. We will ensure that Manitoba jobs go to Manitobans by contracting jobs to local companies instead of shipping them out of province. We will help more families build a life in our great province, with good-paying jobs they can rely on. With our strengthened health-care system, we can keep the

T he Manitoba Chambers of Com- merce (MCC) recently connected with Premier Wab Kinew, who was sworn in as Manitoba’s 25th premier on Oct. 18 and who took time to answer 10 questions focused on economic growth, prosperity and the new provincial government’s vision for our province. The MCC asked for his input on four key priorities: strengthening eco- nomic competitiveness; attracting and retaining talent; facilitating global trade and reducing barriers; and building strong, resilient and healthy communities. These four pillars formed the basis of Vote Prosperity, developed by the MCC to outline priorities that would best position the province for sustainable economic growth and increased pros- perity for businesses and individuals.

WINTER 2023

Q&A WITH THE HONOURABLE WAB KINEW

economy going and we won’t go back to the days of lockdowns due to breakdowns in health care. With a strong economy, we will also be able to invest in our province’s social supports so more Manitobans can get the help they need to choose a better path towards a positive future. MCC: The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce believes that our province must have an effective and fiscally prudent government that is committed to creating a tax environment to attract and retain new investment. Manitoba’s business community has consistently communicated to us that the elimination of the payroll tax, which is considered a disincentive to growth, and personal tax measures, including continued increases to the Basic Personal Amount, will make Manitoba more competitive and must be priorities of the new provincial government. What is your taxation strategy for Manitoba and which taxation measures will you prioritize within your mandate? WK: We know that Manitoba needs to be competitive, and one of the first steps we will take is to cut the provincial gas tax. This will save Manitobans 14 cents a litre every time they fill up. This will help not only individuals when they fill up at the pump, it will also help local businesses cut down on costs. We will also keep the education property tax cut at 50 per cent to help homeowners and farmers keep money in their pockets. With our plan to fix health care and lower costs, Manitoba will continue to attract businesses to the province and grow our economy. MCC: Manitoba has long been recognized for its diversified economy. The depth and breadth of industries found here have served our province well and have allowed us to weather economic downturns with relative stability. Manitoba has what the world needs, and with increasing demand for clean energy and critical minerals, we have an opportunity in our province to support and actively champion new and emerging areas of growth for our economy. Which sectors and industries do you see as having the greatest strategic opportunity in Manitoba and what is your plan to leverage these opportunities?

education by offering more opportunities in training and apprenticeship, from health care to energy. We will also lower costs to offer more students a fair start in life. We will provide health-care coverage to international students and improve the housing and rental stock in Manitoba. With our jobs plan, we will encourage more folks to work on local projects with local contractors right across the province. Manitoba has so much to offer with our arts and culture, and our government will help this sector thrive so more folks in the province can enjoy local talent, whether it's live music or a new exhibit. MCC: Immigration now accounts for almost 100 per cent of Canada’s labour force growth, and, by 2023, it is projected to account for almost 100 per cent of our country’s population growth. Increased economic immigration into Manitoba has been a strategy for which the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has long been advocating, and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program has positioned our province as a leader in attracting talent to Manitoba. However, Manitoba’s immigrant retention rate for newcomers who arrived in 2015 is low at only 67.7 per cent. What is your government’s plan to streamline foreign credential recognition and how will you improve Manitoba’s immigrant retention rate? WK: We have so much untapped potential here in Manitoba. Many newcomers in our province were previously trained in health care and they are ready to get to work and care for Manitobans. We will help more newcomers get to work in the professions they trained for by cutting red tape and streamlining accreditation for internationally educated nurses and other health professionals. To ensure newcomers stay in Manitoba, we will focus on reunification for families. I know how important it is to be able to come home and spend time with your family after a long day, and we want more people in Manitoba to build a life here, with their family close by. We will also reach out to work with post-secondary institutions across Manitoba to support international students who want to stay and get to work in our province.

WK: Our province is a leader in clean energy through Manitoba Hydro. We will ensure that Manitoba Hydro is a strong player in new projects across the province and that this resource remains a valuable export for the province. With the rise in demand for critical minerals, Manitoba’s mining sector is essential for our economy, locally and abroad. This is why we will develop a Critical Minerals Strategy to sustainably grow the sector in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and leadership. Our government will play an important role in helping to build relationships between governments and industry. Our government will support farmers to build up our agriculture sector by reversing the changes that the previous government made to Crown land leases. Across sectors, we will support businesses to do good work in our province so that everyone can benefit. TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION MCC: Manitoba has one of the youngest populations in Canada with a median age of 37.7 years old. Capitalizing on our young talent will be one of our most significant opportunities in the years ahead. However, we have a growing retention problem in Manitoba, and we are increasingly losing youth to other provinces. Retaining youth talent in Manitoba is a priority for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, and we have collaborated with the Canada West Foundation and local partners to determine why youth are leaving our province in increasing numbers. Will your new provincial government begin to tackle Manitoba’s significant net interprovincial migration losses within your first 12 months in office and, if so, how do you plan to address this major challenge? WK: What I want for my kids is what I want for every child in Manitoba. Our government will introduce strong programs and policies to ensure that more Manitobans choose to stay close to home and build a life with good-paying jobs they can rely on. Right now, many young people are choosing to leave because other provinces are offering competitive education and careers. Our government will invest in post-secondary

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

7 WINTER 2023

Q&A WITH THE HONOURABLE WAB KINEW

economy, if we want tourism to stand up at the national and international level, our provincial government needs to be a strong leader in selling our exports. Manitoba can become a leader in the green economy, and we have the potential to show not only Canada but the rest of the world that you can have good jobs and do your part to combat climate change. Across exports, our government will work hard to become a leader on the global stage. STRONG AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES MCC: Health care has served as a central pillar of your election platform, and you’ve already committed to implementing all five recommendations with supporting actions from the joint Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Doctors Manitoba report titled Manitoba’s Physician Shortage: Physician Recruitment and Retention Recommendations from the Rural & Northern Health Summit. Given that we are facing a nationwide health human resources shortage, what specific measures will your government implement to address the attraction and retention of physicians in rural and northern Manitoba? WK: One of the main drivers of the staffing shortage was due to the culture of health care in our province. Many professionals left due to burnout and negative working conditions. With our plan to change the culture of health care, we will encourage more physicians to practise in our province and stay for the long-term. We will treat health professionals and physicians with the respect they deserve and work with them to put solutions in place. Our government will attract more doctors to the north by reinstating and doubling the rural physician recruitment fund that Brian Pallister cut. Through this fund’s northern recruitment, we will reduce the pressure on small communities that have been spread thin. Our recruitment strategy will bring health care closer to home for northern Manitobans. MCC: At the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, we believe that childcare must be considered critical infrastructure, and an affordable, accessible and high-quality early learning childcare framework is necessary to support workforce

participation and economic growth. You have committed to expanding $10/day childcare to include before- and after- school care, as well as add more options with flexible hours for shift workers. However, we have an estimated shortage of 1,000 early childhood educators (ECEs) in our province and approximately 35 per cent of licensed childcare facilities are operating with an exemption to their licences due to inadequate staffing levels. Therefore, what will your government do to address the significant shortage of ECEs in Manitoba? WK: Quality, affordable childcare is good for families and it's good for the economy. With a good universal childcare program, more Manitobans will be able to get to work in the careers they trained for, and more children will have high-quality education to get a good start in life. Early childhood educators are critically important to support our children and families across the province. We will ensure that ECE wages reflect the valuable work they do and remain competitive with other provinces. We will treat ECEs with the respect they deserve and ensure that we not only attract more ECEs to the province but keep the ECEs who are already here, doing the work to care for our children.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

MCC: Manitoba is home to the highest percentage of Indigenous Canadians, representing 18 per cent of our population, and we have the fastest- growing youth Indigenous population in Canada. There have been increases in post-secondary participation by and training opportunities for Indigenous Peoples; however, Indigenous communities continue to struggle with the effects of intergenerational trauma and have much higher rates of unemployment. How will your government improve labour market outcomes for and leverage the opportunities in Manitoba’s Indigenous population? WK: Our government is focused on helping more young people across Manitoba to get into the workforce with more training opportunities and good jobs. Not only will this help our economy, it will also help more young people choose a better path and build a life they are proud of. With our plan to increase training programs, paid apprenticeships and co-op programs, we will ensure that more young people, including Indigenous youth, have the opportunities they need. We will also invest in young people and Indigenous communities through our Critical Minerals Strategy, which will ensure that local resource projects offer good jobs to local people. TRADE MCC: Manitoba exports $20 billion worth of products every year. In 2022, our top exports were in pharmaceuticals, wheat, pork, buses and agricultural machinery. Seventy-five per cent of those exports go to the United States, but opportunities to diversify our export markets exist. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has been asking the provincial government to commit to developing a clear and robust global trade strategy for several years. Will this be a priority for your government and, if so, what is your plan to elevate Manitoba’s position on the national and global stage? WK: One of the roles of a provincial government is to be the sales force for Team Manitoba. If we want critical minerals to make it to market, if we want clean hydrogen to prevail in the green

The Manitoba Chambers of Com- merce believes that by focusing attention on economic indica- tors and measuring our success, we will generate greater pros- perity for all Manitobans. The chamber believes that although we are experiencing inflation- ary pressures and a continued labour shortage, it is imperative that we focus on growing our economy and leveraging our strengths through a strategic, fo- cused and results-driven lens. ■

To view the MCC’s priorities for the business community and Manitoba’s economy, please visit voteprosperity.ca.

WINTER 2023

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ALAMOS GOLD INCORPORATED

SETTING THE GOLD STANDARD: ALAMOS SHINES BRIGHT IN ITS 20 TH YEAR

In addition to the 20th anniversary highlights, Alamos Gold rang the 10-year bells at the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange this year.

WINTER 2023

ALAMOS GOLD INCORPORATED

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

previously operational mines in Lynn Lake, Man. — which is set to go ahead after hitting some major milestones this year. Alamos received important federal and provincial government permits for the project and updated its 2017 feasibility study, reporting Lynn Lake’s mineral reserves are 44 per cent larger than they previously thought. In other good news, its life of mine production will be 2.2 million ounces (a 46 per cent increase from 2017) and its mine life will now be 17 years rather than the 10 they had originally predicted. This means long-term employment for the surrounding communities — a win-win for all involved. On June 13, Alamos also made major headway by signing an important impact benefit agreement with Marcel Colomb First Nation — an important partnership that will support the otherwise vulnerable community in many ways, McCluskey says. “For the Lynn Lake project, we plan to hire locally as the operation will require more than 400 long-term jobs. We will also continue to support local community initiatives and projects, as we have since acquiring the project, including educational projects that are tailored to support the local community and young people.” The collaboration with Marcel Colomb First Nation — a remote band located 1,082 kilometres north of Winnipeg — also means Alamos Gold can ensure the Lynn Lake project can operate in an environmentally responsible manner, a crucial component of the gold biz. “Alamos has always prioritized these important areas of sustainability, with the intention of ensuring that local

communities will have brighter futures beyond the mine’s presence,” McCluskey says. A little extra funding never hurts, either. And the enthusiasm for mining potential in northern Manitoba has sparked support from the provincial government through the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF). The MMDF is providing $300,000 to Alamos Gold for Phase 2 of their exploration project in Lynn Lake, which includes 8,000 metres of drilling, a summer field program and work on a modern drill core storage facility at MacLellan (one of the two sites just east of Lynn Lake). “Ultimately, good projects are becoming increasingly rare, especially within top jurisdictions like Canada, and it is positive to have partners when these opportunities arise, like the Lynn Lake project,” McCluskey says. Alamos Gold has seen its share of opportunities over the past two decades through the merger of Alamos Minerals and National Gold. But it’s the “good neighbour” culture — and core values of safety, teamwork, environmental sustainability, integrity and commitment — that allows its employees and the company to thrive. In addition to the 20th anniversary highlights, Alamos Gold rang the 10-year bells at the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange this year. Rebecca Thompson, vice-president of public affairs, says this combination of celebratory events along with the promise of a new operation has created a strong sense of hope for the organization’s future. “This is just the first 20 years,” she says. “There’s much more to come.” ■

BY LINDSEY WARD

Everything Alamos Gold Inc. touches this year seems to be turning to — well, you know. T he Canadian company has been celebrating its 20th anniversary in a big way — not only with gatherings and gifts for its nearly 2,000 employees but also a recently green-lit expansion that has created a golden opportunity for one northern Manitoba community. To honour Alamos Gold’s big 2-0, the gold mining company’s CEO and president John McCluskey and other members of the executive team spent time earlier this year visiting its current operations — the Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario and the founding Mulatos mine in Sonora, Mexico — to connect with employees and recognize their efforts. “After two decades as CEO, it is very positive to see that we are a community of people who are passionate about our work, dedicated to safety in our workplace and committed to environmental stewardship and meaningful engagement with our host communities,” says McCluskey, who co- founded the company with mining hall- of-famer Chester Millar in 2003. “This is consistent across Alamos Gold, and I am proud to see it.” The anniversary festivities also included a visit to the site of the company’s future redevelopment of two

11 WINTER 2023

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13 WINTER 2023

DIGITAL MANITOBA INITIATIVE

WORKING SMARTER, DRIVING CHANGE

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Manitoba SMEs prove an agile mindset to digital transformation yields results T echnology moves fast and every business, regardless of size or industry, needs to keep pace. This is an ongoing, ever-changing process as businesses encounter new challenges and technology continues to evolve. Upgrading technology often seems complex, adding to the difficulties many companies face. Despite this uncertainty, investing in technology is not optional — it’s the key to increased productivity, enhanced operational efficiencies, staff retention and access to new markets. “Updating and upgrading technology can seem overwhelming,” said Kay Gardiner, program director, Digital Manitoba Initiative. “That’s why we developed the Digital Manitoba

Initiative — to empower companies to take charge of their digital transformation.” The Digital Manitoba Initiative (DMI) was created by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to focus on developing avenues to make digital adaptation more accessible. With the goal of delivering meaningful initiatives for businesses across the province, DMI programs empower businesses to get the training, tools and expert support they need to transform their operations and thrive in today’s market. “Digital adoption is not just about using technology but using it to its full potential,” said Kent Smith, partner and executive digital advisor at ourCIO. “It is the key to unlocking innovation, productivity and growth in modern business.” DMI’s latest program — The Digital Services Program — helps Manitoba businesses modernize their operations with a pro by pairing businesses with

approved service providers to deliver business technology assessments, digital legal services or cybersecurity audits. With assistance and direction, companies are gaining confidence in technology investments. They are training staff on cybersecurity best practices and getting the piece of mind they need to operate in the digital world. “Our business is growing, and it is important to us to ramp up with technology that will make us as efficient as possible,” said Samantha Davidson, bookkeeper, safety and office manager at Character Homes. “Thanks to the DMI program, we were able to access a service provider to review our tech systems’ flow, access, storage, streamlining and more, which will make life easier for all staff.” The Digital Services Program is funded by the Government of Manitoba and powered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. Space is limited. ■

WINTER 2023

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BIOSCIENCE ASSOCIATION MANITOBA

MANITOBA LIFE SCIENCES STRATEGY: POWERING OUR BIOSCIENCE FUTURE

M anitoba, both nationally and globally, is making significant strides in the field of bioscience, driving innovation, research and economic prosperity. In the last five years, Manitoba's bioscience industry has witnessed remarkable growth, with a 40 per cent increase in total capital raised, a 46 per cent surge in research and development investments and a 170 per cent increase in exports. In 2021, the sector's revenues exceeded $9.9 billion, contributing a substantial $5.2 billion to the province's GDP, positioning

hub, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry and workforce partners to maximize global reach and create new opportunities for success. Manitoba has established a Business Navigation Service that connects businesses with relevant programs and investment opportunities, while also promoting Manitoba's competitive advantages to global investors. Future-ready skills and talent infrastructure To maintain a highly skilled workforce, Manitoba recognizes the importance of world-class educational institutions, work-integrated learning opportunities and collaborative educational partnerships historic investment of $40.4 million over the next four years, to expand and enhance the Sector Council Program. This program is geared towards addressing labour market needs and fostering sector-wide economic growth. Data and analytics excellence Leveraging data, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence has become integral to optimizing research and accelerating innovation in the bioscience sector. Manitoba is at the forefront of this endeavour with one of the most comprehensive data resources in Canada. The Manitoba Population Research Data Repository provides a wealth of data, facilitating interdisciplinary research opportunities, improving health outcomes and delivering social and economic benefits. World-class research and innovation Manitoba's research and innovation capabilities are a force to be reckoned tailored to meet industry talent requirements. The government is focused on attracting, training and retaining skilled workers, evidenced by a

with, featuring 38 bioscience R&D centres, advanced manufacturing facilities and a network of post-secondary institutions that fuel innovation and prepare the next generation of biotech professionals. Manitoba's research community is making groundbreaking contributions to global science and health care, saving lives and driving economic growth. Increasing access to capital Biotech companies often face unique challenges in raising capital due to high costs, regulatory hurdles, lengthy timelines and other risks associated with developing new technologies. Manitoba is committed to addressing these challenges by developing various financing options, including the Manitoba First Fund. This fund, with an initial investment of $100 million from the Manitoba government, is partnering with independently managed downstream funds to attract private sector interest, thereby expanding financing options. Through this comprehensive strategy, Manitoba aims to capitalize on its existing strengths in health biotech, ag biotech and clean biotech, while fostering collaboration between industry, government and academic institutions to nurture a thriving bioeconomy. This strategic plan is a vital step toward ensuring the province remains well-equipped to support the growth of this diverse and transformative sector, positioning Manitoba as a leader in the ever-expanding bioscience industry.

it as Manitoba's fourth- largest industry. Notably, pharmaceutical and medicine

manufacturing, also known as medicaments, stands as Manitoba's largest exporting industry, with a value of $2.7 billion in 2022. In an effort to harness the potential of biosciences, the

Manitoba government, in collaboration with Bioscience Association Manitoba,

has introduced a groundbreaking Manitoba Life Sciences Strategy. This strategic plan is geared towards propelling the province forward in the evolving bioscience industry and is built on five key pillars, emphasizing Manitoba's dedication to cultivating a more robust and prosperous economy. These pillars revolve around the essential aspects of generating quality jobs, fostering economic growth, investing in research and development, increasing international awareness and forming transformational partnerships. Strong public-private partnerships Manitoba boasts a tightly knit ecosystem of partners collaborating with the government to assist companies in accessing essential services, capital and support required for their growth. The province serves as an innovation

17 WINTER 2023

WINNIPEG AIRPORTS AUTHORITY

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES BY KRISTIN MARAND

“We're very excited to welcome Porter to Winnipeg. That's been something that we've been working on for some time. We were very excited that Winnipeg was included in Porter's expansion plans." – Nick Hays, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Airports Authority

WINTER 2023

WINNIPEG AIRPORTS AUTHORITY

WINNIPEG AIRPORTS AUTHORITY IS

for those who qualify — anyone who has an airport pass and also police officers. It eases their journey through the screening process by way of them being a pre-verified and trusted traveller,” Hays explains. And as of September, passengers have another option if they want to fly to Toronto — one of the busiest hubs in Canada. Porter Airlines now has twice-daily flights to Pearson International Airport. Marketed as an “elevated economy experience," Porter is famous for serving free beer and wine in real glassware, complimentary non- alcoholic beverages, and salty and sweet treats. In addition, the airline features quality Canadian products, such as craft beer and premium snacks, on its menu. They also allow one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item at no cost and offer free Wi-Fi. Most notably, Porter flights have no middle seats; each row features window and aisle seats on either side. “We're very excited to welcome Porter to Winnipeg. That's been something that we've been working on for some time. We were very excited that Winnipeg was included in Porter's expansion plans,” Hays says. “It really comes back to our mission, which is all about connecting communities. That's fundamentally why we exist. We're here to serve the community and to connect them, continually working with all of our airline partners across Canada and Internationally to bring more choice, more convenience, more options and more connectivity for people who live and work here in Manitoba and people that want to visit here.” For folks who may have experienced tumultuous travel last winter, Winnipeg Airports Authority assures customers and passengers that they are working to improve the

overall experience at every point across a traveller's journey. “The industry has been working very hard to ensure we can collectively deliver against the standards that customers and passengers rightly expect,” Hays says. “It's a huge effort and an industry that has a lot of moving parts. All the gears are working very closely hand in hand to elevate the customer experience. I think there's been a lot of progress that's been made.” On the horizon are some lesser known but economically impactful projects that will support the supply chain, logistics, transportation and development industries. Winnipeg Airports Authority is investing in a new multi-tenant air cargo logistics facility on the east side of the airport to support shippers, forwarders, exporters and importers. “Cargo has been a really consistent bright spot for many years. All through the pandemic, we saw consistent growth and steady numbers in terms of air-freight demand in and out of Winnipeg, and we see that continuing going forward,” Hays says. “So we are responding to that signal and continuing to invest in what the community needs in terms of cargo infrastructure.” The land on the west side of the airport, known as CentrePort, also presents a significant opportunity for development that will benefit the real estate, construction and business sectors, among others. “There is a huge opportunity to unlock the value of the land, and that's something that we are actively participating in and studying in conjunction with other partners that are part of that CentrePort land,” Hays says. “We're laser-focused on making the right investments that will support the community’s needs for decades to come.” ■

BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY — AND THE SKY TRULY IS THE LIMIT. P assenger travel has almost entirely rebounded to pre- pandemic levels. They recently introduced a new trusted traveller program as well as a new airline offering twice-daily flights to one of Canada's busiest airport hubs, and there are plans for continued development. “Things are definitely moving in the right direction,” says Nick Hays, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Airports Authority. “It's going to take some more time to get back to that pre-pandemic 2019 level, but the recent trend has been really encouraging. The challenge that we face as an airport authority is that it will take many more years for us to recover financially simply because of the impact that the COVID pandemic had on us as an organization and as an industry.” A new trusted traveller program launched and will greatly benefit those who qualify by easing the security screening process. The program is intended to take people who have already undergone background checks and have photo ID — such as police, military and aircrew personnel — through an expedited process, thereby improving the efficiency of the system for all. “The trusted traveller line is something we've launched in partnership with CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) this summer. It will be a great benefit

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19 WINTER 2023

CHAMBER NETWORK EVENTS

Carberry Chamber of Commerce Moonlight Madness and Santa Claus Parade Dec. 1 to 2, 2023 For more info: edo@townofcarberry.ca

Souris & Glenwood Chamber of Commerce Souris Santa Claus Parade Dec. 2, 2023 For more info: sourischamber@gmail.com Lac du Bonnet & District Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade Dec. 15, 2023 For more info: LDBChamberofcommerce@ gmail.com

Chambre de commerce de St. Malo & du District Family Hockey Tournament March 14 to 17, 2024 For more info: Facebook.com/jadorestmalo Souris & Glenwood Chamber of Commerce Souris Spring Fling May 3 to 5, 2024 For more info: sourischamber@gmail.com

Deloraine-Winchester Chamber of Commerce Light Up For Christmas Dec. 2, 2023 For more info: depape68@gmail.com

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WINTER 2023

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21 WINTER 2023

CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS

FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR CPA PROFESSION BY WENDY KING

IN MANITOBA, THERE ARE TWO DRIVERS FOR CHANGE IN THE WAY CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS ARE GOING TO BE TRAINED IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. O collected, interpreted and applied to track a business’s success is expanding beyond dollars and cents — and CPAs are ideally poised to make sense of it. “Chartered professional accountants don’t necessarily realize that they have this incredible influence through the decisions that they make on a daily basis. Because of their proximity to the money, accountants have so many opportunities to effect change in the world,” says Geeta Tucker, FCPA, FCMA, president and CEO of CPA Manitoba. A 2022 labour market study undertaken by CPA Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan is leading to initiatives being developed to address a serious need to graduate more CPAs in the immediate future. Tucker says the new certification program in development will have a focus on emerging issues. “Students will get the core ne, Manitoba is currently short of about 200 CPAs over the next five years. Two, the data being foundational training in accounting, as well as current issues and updated skills including data visualization, data management and data analytics,” she says.

“Accountants have to be able to manage huge amounts of data and help organizations make sense of that data.” Tucker says E.S.G. (environmental, social and governance) is a key emerging area CPAs will be relied upon to navigate. “Accountants are now stepping into new roles related to sustainability,” she says. “For example, greenhouse gas emissions are starting to appear in annual reports. We will have accountants who specialize in reporting and auditing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure consistency of information.” Our world is also faced with complex social challenges and opportunities. “Learning to work on non-financial data will become a key aspect for CPAs and it’s exciting, too, because it takes us out of that back-office transactional accounting. It really gets us at the table with business people looking at ways to solve problems in the larger society based on our knowledge,” she says. “CPAs do bring a financial lens but I think it broadens how they’re thinking about the environment and social issues, and we’re going to need people to be able to report and audit a variety of metrics.” Understanding value creation is where a CPA can show an organization how they could be adding value by creating new revenue streams, reducing costs to become leaner or seeking other ways to thrive and be successful. She says artificial intelligence is also changing the face of the profession. “No longer do we have little armbands and big ledger sheets — that part is now largely automated — which

makes the profession more concerned with judgment, analysis, reporting, communicating and problem-solving with real emphasis on the analytical types of thinking that machines might not necessarily be able to do,” she says. “You need a nuanced human perspective to make sense of what the machine is spitting out in order to guide the organization.” Changes to the way students are educated aren’t the only way to fill the need for more CPAs. Partnerships with YES! Winnipeg and both the governments of Canada and Manitoba is another strategy. “The recruitment partnership is a way of demonstrating through Economic Development Winnipeg that coming to Canada is fruitful to an internationally trained professional’s career and that we have created a clear pathway — with support for a good landing — to come here from certain countries,” she says. Countries with accounting programs equivalent or near equivalent to Canada’s very high standards are targeted to ensure the candidates are “work ready.” Right here at home, strong encouragement is in place for Indigenous candidates. “There is such a need for Indigenous CPAs to serve in these positions as trusted advisors in their own communities,” Tucker says. The Accounting Education Pilot, which launched this spring specifically for Indigenous learners, includes the prerequisites of Introductory Financial Accounting and Introductory Management Accounting.

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