Objective 1: Ensure a Strategic & Corporate Approach

In November 2003, the Government of Manitoba brought together key areas with responsibility for international activities into a new Federal-Provincial and International Relations Division of Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade.

This was done to coordinate resources and expertise in international relations and business development. The goal is to maximize the effectiveness of all of the Province's international work by ensuring that it is consistent and supportive of corporate strategies.

This Division will provide a leadership role in the implementation of this Framework and will ensure that results are benchmarked and reported annually to Manitobans, which will guarantee transparency and accountability.

For international coordination to be effective, communication and relationship-building is essential. Therefore, one of the core functions of this Division is strengthening strategic relationships with respect to intergovernmental, international, and trade and investment activities with:

• the business community in Manitoba and abroad;
• federal/provincial/territorial governments in Canada;
• governments in the United States and other international jurisdictions;
• the diplomatic community in Canada and abroad; and
• other departments and agencies of the Manitoba Government.

The following core functions have been brought together within the Federal-Provincial and International Relations and Trade Division to fulfil its objectives:

• Manitoba Trade and Investment (including the Manitoba Ottawa Office) plays a leadership role in helping our business community prepare to export internationally. It also identifies new investment opportunities and, through working with local companies, helps identify opportunities for expanding local capacity and retaining our strong corporate base.

• Canada-U.S. and International Relations coordinates, monitors and reports on the international activities undertaken by provincial departments. This branch works with other departments to provide strategic policy advice, analysis and support to manage relationships with the United States and other international jurisdictions and fosters strong, positive, and cooperative relationships with key international partners. The branch supports the Province's involvement with the Western Governors' Association, the Legislators' Forum, the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments, and bilateral relationships with individual states. This branch also houses the International Projects Initiative that coordinates the Province's involvement in international development projects and helps our local firms to bid successfully on them.

• The Manitoba Protocol Office strives to ensure that all diplomatic visits to Manitoba are built around programs and meetings that offer productive dialogue and information exchanges that enhance trade between the two jurisdictions.

• The International Education Branch works with the departments of Education, Citizenship and Youth and Advanced Education and Training to assist Manitoba's educational institutions to attract international students and international training contracts and to enhance the intercultural awareness of Manitobans.

• International Trade Policy provides strategic policy advice on international trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as new trade negotiations such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The unit works in partnership with other departments (such as Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives that has lead responsibility for international agricultural trade policy) to ensure that the Province's priorities and concerns are strongly defended in international trade disputes in areas such as softwood lumber, wheat, hogs, and steel.

• Federal-Provincial Relations provides strategic policy advice and support to our relations with the Government of Canada and other provinces and territories.

Strategic Actions

To coordinate our international work most effectively, the Government of Manitoba will:

• Enhance cooperation, communication and coordination between departments in the development and implementation of specific strategies and priority actions called for under this Framework and monitor their implementation.

• Develop criteria and processes for assessing proposals for the Province's involvement in future international missions, co-operation agreements, and international development projects. The criteria will be based on the principles that proposals for international activities should:

• be consistent and supportive of the Action Strategy for Economic Growth, the Community Economic Development framework, the Innovation Strategy, the Northern Development Strategy, and the direction outlined in this Framework;

• reflect the relative importance of the respective region and associated economic sector in terms of current levels of exports from Manitoba and/or investments in Manitoba, and the opportunity for growth or export and product diversification; and

• maximize the potential for attracting skilled workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and international learners, and contributing to the growth of Manitoba's knowledge and innovation sectors.

• Introduce the Manitoba "Ambassadors" Program, an initiative designed to capture the expertise and networks of Manitoba's top business, community and youth leaders to help promote Manitoba internationally. Our Ambassadors will champion Manitoba and help build our reputation as a preferred site for business investment, immigration, tourism, education, employment, and commerce during the course of their regular travels.

• Establish a website that provides a single window into the Province's international activities and review corporate and departmental websites to ensure a current and integrated international message.

• Promote stronger linkages between protocol services for visiting dignitaries and the Province's international activities, ensuring a higher level of corporate coordination and effectiveness in mission planning.

• Continue to work with the Government of Canada in: monitoring, participating and contributing to international trade negotiations and dispute resolution proceedings to ensure Manitoba's interests are represented in the international arena and to develop a strong understanding of existing and emerging international trade policy trends and agreements;

• strengthening international discipline on labour standards to ensure that the full set of fundamental labour rights, as defined by the International Labour Organization, are promoted and effectively enforced;

• promoting the adoption of high environmental standards in international agreements, both for their inherent benefit and to maintain a level international playing field; and

• promoting transparent trade and investment negotiations that encourage public dialogue and include greater participation, including the involvement of international organization with expertise in some of the social dimensions of trade.