Premier Kinew commits to campaign for nat’l trade infrastructure plan
Premier Wab Kinew committed to continue Manitoba’s lead role in pressing the federal government for a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan, at a meeting with national and regional business leaders November 16.
Kinew said he will work with provincial and territorial premiers to ensure the work on CTIP, the principles of which were endorsed at the Premiers’ Council of the Federation this summer, remains a priority. The Premiers issued a communique at the CoF meeting in July, calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hold a First Ministers meeting on strategic infrastructure, including a long-term investment strategy for Canada’s trade corridors.
The renewed commitment came at a meeting Kinew hosted with Canadian Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Perrin Beatty, Canadian Construction Association President Mary Van Buren, Canada West Foundation President Gary Mar and Chris Lorenc, President & CEO of Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association, and MHCA.
The group met with Kinew to discuss CTIP and the importance of trade infrastructure investment to the country’s global trade profile and productivity, and its economy. Trade accounts for 66% of Canada’s and 53% of Manitoba’s GDP.
Beatty stressed that the world is looking to Canada for security of supply of fuel, food and fertilizer and critical minerals that are central to all economies. But Canada struggles to commit to supplying them, because of the lack or condition of trade infrastructure, impairing the supply chain.
Mar noted over the past decade-plus Canada’s reputation as a reliable trade partner has taken a beating. A World Economic Forum survey of the quality of countries’ trade transportation infrastructure fell precipitously from 10th in 2009 to 32nd, behind Azerbaijan, in 2019.
Fully 40% of Canada’s roads and bridges have been rated in fair or poor condition, Van Buren said. The investment in trade infrastructure returns to government coffers the revenues that support our social programs and core public services, she noted.
Kinew noted that key to the negotiations with the federal government will be the need to include provinces in the setting of priorities from a national investment plan, as well as ensuring that revenues flow quickly from large, nation-building projects so provinces benefit early, supporting all the demands on their treasuries.
Lorenc noted that the economic analyses to date indicate the immediate return on investment from strategic infrastructure programs run from $1.30 to $1.90 for every dollar invested.
To read more about CTIP click here.
The meeting was also attended by MTI Minister Lisa Naylor and Deputy Minister Ryan Klos.
