Context

Manitoba has always looked beyond its borders to build alliances, trade relationships and friendships. Beginning with the complex network of trading and political relationships nurtured by First Nations, Manitoba continues to grow through working with people in other lands.

Wave after wave of immigrants from around the world have given us a unique and vibrant blend of many heritages. We are one of the most ethnically diverse provinces in Canada. There are over 100 languages spoken across our province, as Manitobans proudly maintain the traditions of their ethnic origins. We each bring our own special heritage and experiences and, together, we form a dynamic, culturally rich community. Our diversity helps us to enter new global markets and makes us a preferred destination for new immigrants, who, in turn, contribute to our growth and enrich our multicultural fabric.

Today, more than ever, we must continue to look beyond our borders and seek opportunities to grow Manitoba's communities. Advances in technology, telecommunications and transportation have created a highly competitive, global marketplace in which we must keep ahead of the fast pace of change. But the global market is a place for more than just transactions of goods, services and investments; it is a place to come together socially, share strengths and support each other's growth.

It is becoming increasingly important to work together around the world. We are facing global challenges that ignore and defy traditional political borders. Our fragile environment, our clean air and water, and our precious wildlife must be preserved with the cooperation of others - it can't be done alone. Ongoing global challenges such as poverty, disease, and threats to our security must be addressed by working together across borders. As a province within a G8 country, we have a responsibility to model our brand of leadership, values of equity, community stability, knowledge and skill development, and human dignity to the world.

We must also work together to help those in developing and recovering nations in their efforts to lift themselves out of poverty and build stronger hopes for the future.

In the past, matters of foreign affairs, foreign aid, and international trade were in the exclusive domain of national governments. However, today's issues are so broad and diverse that we must look beyond our national governments to sustain and nurture our international relations.

Increasingly, international relationships are supported by a web of partnerships between regions, provinces and states, companies and firms, centres of learning, communities, families and friends. In this regard, we as Manitobans have an increasingly important role to play.

Many Manitobans are actively engaged in international activities through citizen-based, non-government organizations (NGOs) that advance important international objectives such as environmental stewardship, humanitarian needs, health and social development, and multiculturalism. The work done by these organizations to assist development overseas exemplifies the compassion and hard work of "Friendly Manitobans." The Province continues to work with a wide array of NGOs, such as the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, to support their important efforts and is one of only three provincial governments that provide direct funding for non-government organizations for overseas development.

The role played by citizens, the business community, and NGOs complements the role that governments play. The Government of Canada has the constitutional responsibility for foreign affairs, and the Province of Manitoba recognizes the vital role it plays in championing Canada's reputation as a caring and committed global citizen and in promoting trade. We rely on this international reputation and the work of the Government of Canada through departments such as Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency, as well as Canada's High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates and Trade Commissions around the world. To this end, the Province is committed to supporting the Government of Canada's efforts internationally.

The Province looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to ensure that the pursuit of progressive trade liberalization is done in a manner that mutually reinforces our efforts to promote the equally important goals of sustainable development, environmental protection, maintenance and improvements in labour standards - especially those affecting children, social progress, and the reduction of poverty. The Province recognizes the need to ensure that less-developed trading partners have the capacity to participate and benefit from the modern economy and will work with the Government of Canada to ensure a balanced approach to international relations.

Canada is a federation and, as such, provincial governments also have clear roles to play in international relations. Safeguarding our environment, expanding clean energy, advancing our agricultural sector and ensuring quality clean water are examples where the Province has a role in international affairs. In fact, we are party to reciprocal agreements and contracts with many jurisdictions outside of Canada. While our approach is to cooperate with the Government of Canada, we must also undertake independent work to add legitimacy and value to federal efforts.

Specifically, a role exists for the Province to promote trade between Manitoba-based companies and industries with growing markets abroad. Similarly, the Province has a primary role in attracting investment, immigrants, students, tourists and new technology to Manitoba - who better to promote our future than ourselves?

In recognition of the important role that provinces play in international relations, Canada's Premiers, through the Council of the Federation, have called for a more meaningful provincial role in international activities that affect provincial jurisdiction and look forward to formalizing an arrangement with the Government of Canada in this regard.

The Council of the Federation is also committed to working closely with the federal government in the design and delivery of a revitalized federal-provincial agenda for Canada-U.S. relations. Important steps have already been made in this respect though the creation of the Advocacy Secretariat at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Enhanced Representation Initiative in the U.S.

The United States is by far our most important trade partner. In 2003, Manitoba trade with the U.S. accounted for 79% of our total international trade, or almost $7 billion. This relationship translates into significant jobs for many Manitobans and economic prosperity for our communities. It is estimated that with every $1 billion of international exports, some 8,000 to 11,000 jobs are created in Manitoba.

While the U.S. market will continue to be vitally important to us, we must also cushion ourselves against unforeseeable setbacks to this strong economic relationship. It is, therefore, incumbent on us to build global trade relationships that are diverse and strong. Diversity will protect our quality of life, jobs, economy, and future. Manitoba must engage the global marketplace, and bring Manitoba to the world.

PREPARING FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

THE ACTION STRATEGY'S SEVEN PRIORITIES ARE: education first; building through research and innovation; raising and retaining investment; affordable government; growing through immigration; building on our clean energy advantage; and building our communities.

Part and parcel of preparing for the global marketplace is building our capabilities and strengths at home. This approach will enable us to meet the current and future needs of the global economy. The Province has set the pace for developing an environment favourable for sustainable economic growth through a seven-point Action Strategy for Economic Growth. This strategy was recommended by the Premier's Economic Advisory Council, and represents a province-wide partnership of business, labour, education and community leaders.

These priorities reinforce one another. Research and innovation require an educated work force. Investment and immigrants are attracted to communities with an effective and efficient administration. Our clean energy advantage also plays an important role in economic development.

This Action Strategy for Economic Growth is supported by specific strategic policies that guide the Province's activities. These include:

• The Province's approach to Community Economic Development (CED) ensures that general government activities are considered through a "CED lens" in an effort to build greater community capacity; to nurture individual community pride, self-reliance and leadership; to enhance knowledge and skills; to encourage business development that is responsive to social, economic and environmental, needs; and to foster balanced, equitable, and sustainable economic development.

• The Northern Development Strategy, developed in consultation with northern mayors and chiefs, elders, Chambers of Commerce, and community leaders, is a long-term strategy to identify and seize local opportunities to build upon northern Manitoba's unique strengths.

• Building Strong Communities - A Vision for Rural Manitoba offers an approach to rural Manitoba communities to build a new society that is better equipped to manage change and maximize opportunities - locally and around the world.

The Action Strategy for Economic Growth is also supported by Manitoba's Innovation Framework - Manitoba at the Forefront of Innovation. This long-term plan is designed to support knowledge-based economic development through innovation and focuses the Province's efforts at promoting research and development.

By strengthening our assets at home, we not only are in a better position to compete in the international arena, we also become increasingly attractive internationally as a place in which to do business, invest, learn, visit, and live. It is our strong economic future and our diversity that ensure our success abroad. Similarly, our work internationally will open doors to opportunities that will allow us to pursue more rigorous community economic development at home.

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