THE VOICE OF MANITOBA BUSINESS
SUMMER 2026, VOL. 28
MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE jointhechamber.ca President and CEO Chuck Davidson Vice-President, Policy and Government Relations Elisabeth Saftiuk Director of Business Development and Member Relations Brent Hutton Communications | Consultant Olivia Baldwin
CHUCK DAVIDSON President and CEO Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
APPROACHING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES WITH A VISION — AND A PLAN
M anitoba’s economic Across the province, businesses are navigating labour shortages, a gap between workers’ skills and the requirements of available jobs, and growing competition for talent. At the same time, workers are fac- ing a labour market that is evolving faster than ever. For the past number of years, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has been polling business leaders in this province about their workforce outlook is increasingly shaped by one defining factor: people. challenges through our Manitoba Business Outlook survey in collabo- ration with Leger. Those business leaders have told us repeatedly the situation is getting worse, not better. Our province — and our busi- ness community — is at a pivotal moment. The pressures are real, but so is the opportunity to build, train and retain a workforce that is ready for the future. This is not just a labour market issue. Access to the right workforce is foundational to whether businesses can grow, projects can move forward and communities can thrive.
Meeting that challenge requires a clear vision and a focus on what we can control. Education and training systems must reflect the needs of today’s economy. Young people need clear opportunities to pursue careers here at home. Employers must be able to access the talent they need (whether developed locally or attracted from elsewhere). And the infrastructure that supports workforce participation, including child care, must be in place. At a time of strong demand across sectors, Manitoba cannot afford to lose talent. Through the collective voice of the chamber network, these priorities are being advanced with governments at all levels. That includes advocacy for investments in workforce develop- ment, support for businesses as they adapt to new technologies, and work to expand pathways and access for under-represented groups. This issue of MBiz explores what comes next — how Manitoba can strengthen its workforce, address critical gaps and build the capacity we need to support our province’s long-term growth. ■
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Cover: Courtesy of MITT
1 SUMMER 2026
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