Action Plan | Opportunities for Economic Growth Action Plan | Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources

Workforce skills and supply shortages are the most pressing issues facing our stakeholders, so we are taking immediate action by using data and intelligence to focus investments where they will have the greatest impact throughout Manitoba, today and into the future.

Action Completed

Launch global recruitment missions to attract needed talent to Manitoba to address workforce needs. This includes the recent healthcare recruitment mission to the Philippines.		News release
Target draws through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) to: Nominate skilled newcomers who are presently addressing labour market needs; Select immigration candidates with a family connection to bolster retention; and Align skilled worker and business investor MPNP nominations with strategic industry growth areas for Manitoba.		News release News release
Improve Manitoba's personal income tax structure to bring it line with other provinces, allowing families to keep more of their income and attracting inter-provincial migration.
Launch the Work in Manitoba job portal to connect job seekers to employers.		News release workinmanitoba.ca
Partner with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Canada West Foundation on a youth outmigration research project to identify ways to attract and retain young people in Manitoba.		News release
Launch the new Labour Market Outlook website to promote greater awareness of career opportunities in Manitoba and support strategic regional labour market and economic development planning.		News release Labour Market Outlook website
Develop High School Apprenticeship Program guides for schools to promote apprenticeship as a career pathway.		Educator Guide Student Guide Employer Guide
Develop Early Childhood Education high school curriculum to provide a direct pathway for students to enter post secondary Early Childhood Education training and/or begin employment at child care facilities.		Budget 2023 (pg.82)
Partner with Employment and Social Development Canada's Skilled Trades, Awareness and Readiness (STAR) program to increase awareness of the benefits, opportunities, and value of apprenticeship programs and promoting trades as a career path.		Budget 2023 (pg. 63)
Invest up to $4.1 million in additional annual funding to the Sector Council Program to support new programming for improved recruitment and retention practices, enhanced career awareness and promotion of work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students.		News release
Invest $3.6 million in a new Manitoba Careers for Internationally Educated Professionals Program to help newcomers gain certification and obtain employment in Manitoba-based, high-demand regulated professions.		News release
Partner with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to provide more than $1 million towards helping newcomers find reliable child care and maintain employment.		News release
Provide a $2 million increase to the Newcomer Community Integration Support program for settlement services and supports for newcomers to Manitoba.		News release News release
Create more opportunities for employers to connect to newcomers seeking employment, building on the success of the recent newcomer hiring event.		News release
In cooperation with the Winnipeg Foundation, provide grants from the $20 million endowment fund to support Employment and Income Assistance clients' meaningful transitions into the labour market.		News release
Develop a micro-credentials framework that includes: Industry and educational collaboration to identify skills needs and training programs that could be converted to microcredentials. Certification system to help employers understand and recognize the validity of micro-credentials and the role of post-secondary institutions in certifying and issuing microcredentials. Development of an online directory of certified micro-credentials.
Develop partnerships and tools employers need to successfully hire and retain Indigenous employees including mentorship programs and connections between businesses, Indigenous mentors, and service providers to develop culturally appropriate career fairs and other activities.
Make quality child care accessible across Manitoba with the creation of new spaces in rural and First Nations communities, along with infrastructure improvements, grant funding for recruitment and retention strategies, reimbursing Early Childhood Education tuition, increasing wages and implementing $10 a day childcare.		News release News release News release News release

A strong, resilient and inclusive economy requires continued investments in critical business infrastructure and capital, a renewed focus on trade and investment attraction, and expanded business supports and policies that make Manitoba an inviting business environment.

Action Completed

Commit over $4.1 billion in a multi-year infrastructure strategy to improve provincial highway, water control and northern airport assets throughout the province. This builds on previously announced support to expand direct flight connectivity to international markets, upgrade the Pembina Port of Entry highway, secure operations of the Hudson Bay rail line, and expand CentrePort South.		News release News release News release News release News release News release News release
Invest up to $100 million for critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects in eight rural communities that will provide a safe water supply and attract industrial investment.		News release
Invest up to $73.8 million in a joint $147.6 million Canada-Manitoba partnership to provide the Arctic Gateway Group with funding to support upgrades, maintenance and operation of the Hudson Bay Railway to support critical economic development, job growth and tourism opportunities in the north.		News release
Invest an additional $50 million in the Manitoba First Fund for a total of $100 million to leverage private sector investment and help Manitoba businesses access capital at all stages of business growth.		News release
Collaborate with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to offer non-traditional lending options through the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund.
Collaborate with the Manitoba Métis Federation to provide a sustainable mechanism offering access to capital for Métis entrepreneurs.		News release
Renew and expand funding for Futurpreneur, which offers financing, mentorship and support to enterprising young Manitobans, including Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC).		News release
Invest $15 million in the Communities Economic Development Fund's Business Loan program which provides repayable loans for high-impact economic development opportunities where traditional funding may not be available.		News release
Invest $20 million to support economic development and investment attraction to incent private sector investment in enterprises.
Make Manitoba's business tax environment more competitive with neighbouring jurisdictions through actions like raising the payroll tax thresholds.		News release
Launch the new Invest Manitoba brand to promote Manitoba as a key global destination for trade and investment.		Invest Manitoba
Establish a new Investment and Trade Division to: provide integrated concierge business services to support major commercial and industrial investment, help stakeholders navigate regulatory processes, help business partners identify, target and capitalize on high-value trade opportunities, and aggressively pursue large high impact investments.		Invest Manitoba
Launch export support programming to provide incentives for Manitoba businesses to identify trade opportunities.		News release
Reduce inter-provincial trade barriers by removing more exemptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and New West Partnership Trade Agreement.		News release News release
Accelerate the adoption of new national model building, plumbing, fire and energy codes to align with other jurisdictions, improve competitiveness and reduce costs.		News release

Strengthening Manitoba's technology, innovation and research and development capacity will attract global talent, grow our economy and increase our competitiveness.

Action Completed

Use data to ensure Manitoba's economic programs and services align to business and industry needs for each stage in the business life cycle.
Launch Manitoba's first Life Sciences Strategy to harness opportunities, leverage data, attract new investment, drive innovation and create high quality jobs in Manitoba.		News release The Manitoba Life Sciences Strategy: Powering our Bioscience Future
Support Manitoba's burgeoning gaming and film industries through a $1.5 million investment to launch a virtual production training studio in Winnipeg and enhancements to the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit.		News release Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
Deliver the Industry Spotlight Series to showcase private sector innovation, emerging opportunities and successful collaborations.
Invest $5 million to improve mineral exploration and mining systems and increase the number of staff supporting mining application processes by 50% to streamline and expedite approvals. This will include increasing facilitation services and tools to enhance early engagement between Indigenous communities and industry to maximize project awareness and economic opportunities while mitigating environmental risks and increasing knowledge of Indigenous cultures and traditional land uses.
Capitalize on Manitoba's green energy advantage to attract new business investment and support local industry leaders in areas such as green technology and agricultural equipment.
Implement key findings from the Premier's Economic Advisory Council on Competitiveness to make Manitoba a preferred business destination.		News release

Creating the conditions for economic growth and recovery requires investments that revitalize our communities, build a vibrant tourism industry, and make Manitoba a safe and affordable place to live and work.

Action Completed

Increase municipal operating funding by 28% with an additional $47 million in 2023 for projects and services that improve the quality of life of local residents.		News release
In partnership with the Southern Chiefs Organization, invest $35 million for heritage preservation and conversion of the former Hudson’s Bay Company downtown property to a mixed-use facility.		News release
Invest over $30 million in downtown business revitalization and community safety programs in Winnipeg and Brandon.		News release News release News release News release News release
Support the redevelopment of Portage Place Mall in downtown Winnipeg.		News release
Invest $100 million in the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community fund.		News release News release
Support bids for Manitoba to host national events, such as the 2025 Grey Cup.		News release News release
Launch a refreshed Travel Manitoba brand to attract global tourism to the province with the aim of increasing visitor spending by 50% by 2030.		Manitoba – Canada’s Heart is Calling
Provide $450,000 to Indigenous Tourism Manitoba to support the development of Indigenous-led tourism businesses.		News release
Invest $126 million in a whole-of-government homelessness strategy to modernize our emergency shelter network, expand social and transitional housing capacity, enhance prevention, improve client and mental health supports, and build additional capacity and services in rural and northern Manitoba.		News release News release
Introduce phased increases to bring minimum wage to $15.30 by October 2023 to make life more affordable for workers and their families while helping employers attract and keep employees.		News release