Canada’s economy is evolving — is Winnipeg ready?
At The Chamber our commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant Winnipeg continues with our recent additions of the following new Productivity and Tariff policy positions.
Economic Growth and Productivity Policy Position
To unlock Winnipeg’s true potential, we must focus on driving productivity— the key to boosting our economic growth and raising the standard of living across the city. At the moment Manitoba lags behind the Canadian average and our neighbors, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Notably Saskatchewan and Alberta are leading the country, while Manitoba ranks seventh among the provinces.
The Bank of Canada defines productivity as “a measure of efficiency—how much value an economy produces for each hour worked.”
With global disruption and rapid technological change reshaping economies, investing in innovation, talent, and smarter ways to work is no longer optional—it’s essential for long-term prosperity. High productivity allows businesses to absorb rising costs without raising prices, which supports stable inflation.
Our recommendations for the City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and business community focus on three core principles:
- Grow: Focus on productivity to grow our economy, increase incomes, and raise living standards.
- Invest: Invest in the infrastructure, innovation, and talent Winnipeg needs to compete. That means building out CentrePort and the Port of Churchill, digitizing city services, and ensuring small businesses can adopt new technologies.
- Enable: Modernize the systems that govern our economy. From simplifying permits and licenses, to removing trade barriers, to aligning immigration with real labour market needs — we must enable businesses to scale and succeed.
To read all our recommendations, hit this link.
Tariffs Policy Position
While trade policies are negotiated globally, their impact is felt locally. Across Manitoba, businesses are facing rising costs, delayed shipments, and growing uncertainty as international trade tensions intensify.
At The Chamber, we know that tariffs are not just a line item on an invoice — they’re a drag on competitiveness, confidence, and growth. Our Business Impact Survey – How Are Tariffs Affecting Your Business? surveyed Manitoba businesses prior to tariff implementation to understand the impact of escalating trade tensions. The results were decisive:
- 62% said they were already experiencing or anticipating negative effects from U.S. tariffs.
- 72% expected either increased costs or reduced revenue.
- Action required:
- Stronger advocacy (47%)
- Faster dispute resolution (44%)
- Targeted tax relief (41%)
Our position is clear, we must protect local businesses, expand into new markets, and fix the outdated systems that make trade unnecessarily complex.
- Protect Business: We need to shield Winnipeg companies from the most immediate impact of tariff-driven costs.
- Expand Markets: Over-reliance on the U.S. has always been a strategic vulnerability — these events make it clear: now is the time to diversify.
- Fix Trade: Trade shouldn’t just be free — it should be functional. That means addressing systemic issues that hold Canadian businesses back.
To read all our recommendations, hit this link.
As a member-driven organization, our policies are created through collaboration, and we sincerely thank the many members who contributed through working groups and consultations. Guided by our core principles—business growth and competitiveness, member-driven decision-making, and a commitment to equity—these policies emphasize the importance of investing in our community.
Be sure to check out our Downtown Revitalization and Affordable Housing policy positions to stay informed and explore more insights on how we’re shaping the future.
