A delegation of representatives from the Business Council of Manitoba, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, CentrePort Canada, and the MHCA joined Premier Wab Kinew in Ottawa this week to deliver a coordinated message to the federal government: Manitoba is ready to play a larger role in Canada’s economic future.
A delegation of Manitoba business leaders—including Chris Lorenc and Felicia Wiltshire—joined Premier Wab Kinew in Ottawa this week to deliver a coordinated message to the federal government: Manitoba is ready to play a larger role in Canada’s economic future.
The trip brought together representatives from the Business Council of Manitoba, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, CentrePort Canada, along with the MHCA, with the goal of aligning public and private sector voices in meetings with federal ministers, senior officials, and departmental staff.
Rather than approaching Ottawa with fragmented priorities, the delegation emphasized a unified economic strategy focused on trade, infrastructure, and investment.
The visit to Ottawa was a natural extension of MHCA’s core mandate advocating for sustained infrastructure investment as a driver of economic growth.
A key focus of the delegation’s meetings was the enhancement of international trade routes, particularly through CentrePort Canada, as a way of further growing Manitoba’s ability to move goods east, west, and north.
Beyond infrastructure, the delegation also pressed for federal support to address labour shortages particularly through increased immigration allocations under programs like the Provincial Nominee Program.
Ensuring Manitoba has the workforce to build and sustain major infrastructure projects is essential to delivering on its economic potential.
The visit comes at what industry leaders describe as a pivotal time for Canada’s economy, with growing emphasis on domestic trade capacity, supply chain resilience, and diversification beyond traditional markets.
“We used this as an opportunity to ensure the federal government knows how Manitoba can help them achieve their priorities, instead of simply just asking for more support,” said Lorenc. “The conversations we had over the two days really helped enforce what Manitoba has to offer our nation.”
By speaking with one voice, the delegation aimed to:
- Elevate Manitoba’s profile on the national stage
- Secure federal investment in strategic infrastructure
- Position the province as a key player in Canada’s economic growth
“This visit was really about ensuring Manitoba has a presence on the national stage and is part of the conversation when it comes to growing the Canadian economy,” said Wiltshire. “Our next task is to ensure we continue to have a strong presence in Ottawa into the future.”
Left to right: Chuck Davidson. President and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce; Ben Carr, MP Winnipeg South Centre; Hon. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs; Hon. Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba; Carly Edmundson, President and CEO, CentrePort Canada; Loren Remillard, President and CEO, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce; and Chris Lorenc, President and CEO, MHCA.
Left to right: Aimee Goyer, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives and Marketing, CentrePort Canada; Felicia Wiltshire, Vice-President, MHCA; Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary, International Trade and MP Ottawa Centre; Carly Edmundson, President and CEO, CentrePort Canada; Kate Doer, Vice-Preside, Communications and Policy, Business Council of Manitoba; and Elisabeth Saftiuk, Vice-President, Policy & Government Relations.
