Manitoba NDP supports investment review, Churchill and CentrePort
NDP Leader Wab Kinew says an NDP government would support economic development by making the most of the Port of Churchill and CentrePort Canada.
Further, Kinew, leader of the official Opposition, told the MHCA his party favours appointing a panel to review prioritization for provincial infrastructure investment specifically trade supporting infrastructure. Kinew mentioned Manitoba’s potential for development and export of critical minerals, for economic growth.
Kinew met with MHCA Executive Committee members, including past Chair Nicole Chabot, Chair Dennis Cruise and Vice Chair Kevin Brown, along with MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc May 10, to discuss priorities and issues, leading into the 2023 provincial election campaign.
“It was a good discussion. It gave us an opportunity to share MHCA public policy priorities with the leader of the NDP as we head towards an October 2023 election campaign,” Lorenc said.
The MHCA presented to Kinew the priority issues the industry sees Manitoba facing, including the best way to invest for maximum return to the GDP. Trade-enabling infrastructure is key to seeing the province meet its potential in exports and to support the primary industries and sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing.
Revenues returned to the provincial treasury from trade – which accounts for 53% of Manitoba’s GDP – are key to supporting the core public and social services that underpin Manitobans’ standard of living, Lorenc stressed.
MTI, with its focus on developing and maintaining the provincial trade routes, must be at the centre of the provincial government’s economic policy and planning, Lorenc noted.
Manitoba has an infrastructure deficit of approximately $9 billion for highways and bridges. The deficit is the difference between what is and what must be invested to bring the transportation assets up to good condition for current and future purposes.
“We were happy to meet, and the discussion hit upon many points of common interest and priority,” Lorenc said.
MHCA will be meeting with Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont in the near future. Premier Heather Stefanson recently spoke at an MHCA Breakfast with the Leaders event, at which she committed to investing in key provincial trade corridors and leading the discussion nationally for a new federal strategy for trade corridor investment.
