MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN ACTION
MORNING MOMENTUM WITH MANITOBA’S BEST
Hundreds of early risers have joined the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce for breakfast and a healthy dose of insight and inspiration as part of our ongoing MBiz Breakfast series and new Breakfast of Champions subseries. We launched the 2024-25 season with Mario Péloquin, CEO of VIA Rail, and continued to welcome an exceptional lineup over the fall and winter: • Paul Soubry, president and CEO of NFI Group, opened the Breakfast of Champions with an inspiring look at NFI’s Manitoba roots, global leadership in zero- emission transit and 250 new green jobs from its local expansion. • Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, delivered a timely message urging Canada to go “all in” on economic transformation — tackling red tape, internal trade barriers and cross-border tensions. • John Bockstael, chair of Bockstael Construction, captivated the room with the story of his century- old family business and shared lessons on trust, adaptability and succession planning. • Finance Minister Adrien Sala joined us the morning after Budget Day to unpack highlights from the 2025 provincial budget, including payroll tax relief and progress on interprovincial trade barriers.
SURVEY SAYS …
Trade outlook, inflation and staffing top concerns for Manitoba businesses Even before President Trump’s official return to office, two-thirds of Manitoba businesses were raising red flags about renewed U.S. leadership and the risks to cross-border trade. That insight comes from the latest Manitoba Business Outlook Survey, commissioned by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) and conducted by Leger between Nov. 7 and Dec. 9, 2024. Now in its seventh year, the survey helps MCC track trends, identify issues and advocate effectively for Manitoba’s business community. Key survey highlights include: •
Workforce Woes: Nearly 1 in 5 businesses (19%) say attracting talent is their top challenge Inflation Pressures: 77% report being impacted by inflation, with half saying they raised prices Talent Pipeline Concerns: 86% agree Manitoba must better align education with industry needs to ensure youth see local career opportunities Green Momentum: 53% plan to invest in sustainability over the next five years
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Find the full 2024 Manitoba Business Outlook Survey and past surveys on our website at jointhechamber.ca.
More than 300 business and community leaders joined us for our annual Budget Review Breakfast in March, featuring Finance Minister Adrien Sala.
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SUMMER 2025
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