Province unveils development strategy to 'unlock the untapped economic opportunities' in Manitoba

The Manitoba government says there are untapped opportunities in the province's economy, which it promisesitsnew economic development strategy will unleash.

A new government committee, aprovincewideeconomic development office, tax and innovation incentives, and plans specific to Winnipeg, rural areas and northern Manitobaare all part of the province's strategy, the broad strokes of which wereunveiled Thursday.

Premier Brian Pallisterpledged to chart a new economic courseprioritizingcollaboration between an otherwise unco-ordinated system in his third state of the province address, delivered at aWinnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

"Government needsto be the partner that you deserve to have, not with a subsidy but facilitatingyour opportunities to grow," he told the crowd.

In unveiling his long-anticipated economic development strategy, Pallistervowed tocreate new agenciesandtap existing organizationsto boost the economy.

Itmeansrepurposingthe provincial government'srole so it doesn't duplicate what's being done very effectively by others.- Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister

The plan follows consultations withmore than 500 peopleby former Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce head Dave Angus and PayworksCEO Barb Gamey, as well as a previous Deloitte report commissioned by the province.

Pallisteronly touched briefly on the new strategy in a nearly 40-minute address, directing the business crowd of 1,200 people to visit a provincial website to learn more.

'Backroom co-ordinator' rather than 'front office'

He said thegovernment partially funds close to 90 different economic initiatives, and the province could do with fewer.

"We're expecting to be more of a backroom co-ordinatorof opportunities rather than the front office that delivers on economic development programs," he said afterwards of the province's role.

Pallisteradded bureaucrats holding certain responsibilities within the Growth, Enterprise and Trade department would be shuffled into other capacities.

"Itmeans repurposing the provincial government'srole so it doesn't duplicate what's being done very effectively by others," he said. "That doubling up hasn't really produced measurable results that we have seen."

Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen said no jobs would be lost as a result.

New cabinet committee, development agency

On itswebsite, the governmentpromised a new cabinet committee ofMLAs overseeinga "whole-of-government" approach to strengthen the economy, and the formationof a provincial economic development office to lead major initiatives and investment projects.

The premier also said the government would overhaul tax-increment financing afunding mechanism that uses future tax revenue to stimulate present-day growth and createainnovation program.

As well,the province saysregional partner organizations will deliver targeted economic development programs and services.

Economic Development Winnipeg will take on that rolein the province's capital, whilethe Winnipeg Metropolitan Regionfocuses on the capital region.

A new regional organization will focus on rural Manitoba, and theCommunities Economic Development Fund, a Crown corporation, will be responsible for economic development programs innorthern Manitoba, a region that has been hit hard by job losses.

North Forge Technology Exchange, World Trade Centre and Travel Manitoba will look after innovation, trade and tourism, respectively.

Pallister also said the province will review all existing economic developmentprograms and begin consultations next year on ensuring Manitoba has the right skills, knowledge and talent to thrive in the future.

The report from Angus and Gamey noted that Manitoba should better align business goals with educational institutions, develop strategies to enhance each industry and find opportunities for the growing Indigenous population.

Pedersen said the province is continuing to evaluate these options.

NDPLeader Wab Kinewsaid the plan shows the premier has an "obsession with consultants."

"I only saw one reference to the word 'job' in all those documents andall those webpages, and that's a huge concern," he said. "What good is economic growth if it doesn't build the middle class?"

The Manitoba Liberals said thereview summarizedwhat people are worried about, without providing actual measuresto fix it.

"The idea that we had to wait all this time, two and a half years, for this premier andthis government to come up with a plan for economic growth while they know it's a serious problemit's unbelievable," Liberal Leader DougaldLamont said.

More ideas sought from civil servants

Pallister also announced during his speech Thursdayhe would inject an extra $20 million into the $50 million fund encouraging Manitoba civil servants to make government more efficient.

Within a month,that initiative resulted inmore than 50 ideas, he said, which will savegovernment around $250 million over the next decade.

"What kind of governmentdo you want, right? Bold," Pallistersaid, as he wrapped up his address."That's the type of government that you've got."