FRANCAIS

December 01, 2003

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Building Manitoba’s economy and encouraging sustainable growth of its communities are the priorities of a new $50-million partnership agreement signed today by Greg Selinger, Manitoba Minister of Finance and Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry.

The Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is a joint federal-provincial agreement that will see each government commit $25-million over the next four years.

The Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement builds upon a history of successful federal/provincial economic development partnerships. The agreement provides a means for federal/provincial cooperation to further strengthen and diversify Manitoba’s economy, build on existing economic strengths, enhance the skills of Manitoba’s workforce, and promote regional development.

"Manitoba is home to a number of important clusters of economic development, including biotechnology, information and communications technology and medical research, "said Industry Minister Allan Rock. "Partnerships like the EPA will strengthen these and promote new areas of research-based development in the province."

"The first agreement provided economic development opportunities for many Manitoba communities and I'm pleased that momentum will continue," said Minister Selinger. "With increased funding in this new agreement, more can be accomplished in a greater number of regions throughout our province."

"The Government of Canada believes in the economic potential and long-term sustainability of Western Canada," said Secretary of State Stephen Owen. "Through the new Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement, and with our partner, the Province of Manitoba, we are demonstrating our commitment to Manitoba. Today is a historic day."

"Some of the most innovative and exciting projects in Manitoba have been made possible through partnerships like the new Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement being signed today," added Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk. "Our important relationship with the government of Canada continues to improve the quality of life for Manitobans."

"The new Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement is great news for Manitoba as it will strengthen our economy and encourage investment in our province," said Minister Rey Pagtakhan, senior federal minister for Manitoba. "I am very pleased that the Government of Canada is building on the momentum created by past partnership agreements."

The EPA has two strategic priorities: building Manitoba’s economy and encouraging sustainable communities. Areas of interest include: advancing Manitoba’s research, development and technology commercialization capacity; promoting local tourism and culture; support for the province’s competitiveness and investment climate; and the development of a skilled workforce with participation from all community members.

Manitoba is the second of the four Western provinces to sign comparable agreements with the federal government. The $25-million federal allocation for Manitoba is part of a $100-million Government of Canada investment in the West through the Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs).

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 budget.

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BACKGROUNDER

The purpose of the agreement is to:

• provide a mechanism for achieving greater federal-provincial co-operation in realizing the economic and regional development potential of Manitoba by way of collaboration; and
• undertake joint economic development opportunities with other interested stakeholders to strengthen Manitoba’s economic diversity through innovation, build on existing advantages, create new employment opportunities and enhance economic growth.

Specifically, Canada and Manitoba will co-operate and work jointly to:

• advance innovation research, development and technology commercialization in Manitoba;
• support industry-based infrastructure, improved competitiveness and productivity, increased trade capacity, development and promotion, and an environment that attracts investment; and
• support the development of a skilled workforce; access to knowledge-based infrastructures; the promotion of local tourism and natural resource development opportunities; and the participation of all community members in the economy to enhance the viability, sustainability, and growth of communities throughout Manitoba.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba will work together and in partnership with community stakeholders to create an environment that will promote sustainable economic growth and employment in Manitoba through a focus on two strategic priorities:

• Building Our Economy, and
• Sustainable Communities

The Building Our Economy strategic priority will assist Manitoba’s participation in the 21^st century economy by strengthening the competitiveness and diversity of the Manitoba economy. This Agreement may fund Projects that:

• Encourage innovative research and development, including technology commercialization and product development;
• Develop key sites of research-led development that generate related spin-off benefits for local companies – for example, Manitoba’s health research centres and biotechnology centres;
• Build knowledge-based industries through strategies that retain and attract highly qualified researchers and scientists to Manitoba;
• Accelerate the adoption and development of new processes and techniques to improve productivity and therefore international competitiveness in both the manufacturing and service industries;
• Build Manitoba’s emerging economic clusters in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life science – biotechnology industries, cultural and new media industries, information and communications technologies, and environmental industries including alternative energy developments;
• Address workforce skill gaps through industrial skills development and training partnerships in sectors, such as but not limited to the biotechnology and aerospace sectors;
• Ensure investors, tourists, immigrants, and young people gain a positive impression of Manitoba;
• Develop trade, investment and tourism, including heritage, cultural and eco-tourism, opportunities in Manitoba;
• Train and retrain workers, no matter where they live in Manitoba or at what stage in their careers, for jobs specifically relevant to Manitoba’s 21^st century economy;
• Retain youth in Manitoba; and
• Provide education and training opportunities, particularly for Aboriginal people, leading to employment in the northern part of the Province.

The strategic priority Sustainable Communities will support leaders in Manitoba’s urban areas, rural areas, and the north to identify and take advantage of local opportunities. Projects that advance local opportunities may:

• Contribute to tourism and growth strategies by enhancing heritage and cultural and interpretive sites/events and/or investing in cultural and visual and performing arts;
• Encourage regional approaches to economic development through partnerships with communities;
• Work with Manitoba’s communities to expand and promote the use of the Internet for commerce and education;
• Assist in the development of northern Manitoba’s human and natural resources to ensure northern Manitobans can take full advantage of the opportunities in the region (e.g. eco-tourism, mining, forestry, and fishing);
• Assist in investments in infrastructure and diversification to sustain rural communities (e.g. major projects, agri-product research, and both traditional and emerging crops and projects such as fibre industries, functional foods, and alternative energies); and
• Assist in revitalization of urban communities by supporting community economic development initiatives that undertake downtown and inner city renewal, build community capacity, enhance knowledge and skills, and foster sustainable economic development.

• A management committee will administer the agreement with representation from Western Economic Diversification Canada and Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade.
• Canada and Manitoba will support collaborative relationships with economic sector-based organizations, non-profit community organizations, and delivery agencies to undertake initiatives that build on strengths and contribute to long-term sustainable growth of Manitoba’s economy.
• Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, hospitals or regional health care centers engaged in research, or other provincial agencies.
• Partnership initiatives under each priority area may take the form of capital projects, pilot projects, start-up support leading to self-sustainability, studies including feasibility, business plans, market-related research, innovative research, and so on.
• Canada and Manitoba will each allocate up to $25 million to initiatives under this four-year agreement for a total of $50 million.

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