Manitoba Government Receives Recommendations from Manitoba Strategic Corridors Advisory Council

Press Release

July 5, 2023

The Manitoba government has received the Manitoba Strategic Corridors Advisory Council’s first recommendations to advance the province’s transportation and trade hub vision, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced today.

“Our government is pleased to receive the advisory council’s recommendations and advice to guide Manitoba’s strategic investments and actions in supply chains, transportation and transportation infrastructure delivery across all modes,” said Piwniuk. “A major focus of this work is Indigenous economic participation, a key component of reconciliation and shared prosperity. These recommendations give us a road map to best position Manitoba as a centre of transportation and trade.”

Manitoba’s central geographic location positions the province as a major national and international gateway, the minister noted, adding that to capitalize on this position, the Manitoba government established a senior advisory council dedicated to improving strategic corridors and associated infrastructure, policy, economy, trade, sustainability and Indigenous participation measures.

Appointed in April, the advisory council is comprised of eight members from the supply chain, transportation, infrastructure delivery, and Indigenous economic development sectors who provide advice to the Manitoba government.

Some of the findings and advice provided by the advisory council and received by the Manitoba government include:

• building on the potential of unique supply chain capabilities in the province, such as the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport cargo campus development and the Port of Churchill;
• assessing transportation corridor requirements to enable critical mineral development opportunities including optimizing Indigenous economic opportunities;
• working, in discussion with industry, to enable the trucking industry to be as efficient as possible in advancing trade and transportation vision objectives; and
• provincial leadership and advancement of a national trade and transportation corridors strategy agenda, working closely with other Canadian jurisdictions.

The council further underscored the importance of continued implementation of current Manitoba government strategic initiatives and investments, such as the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, which includes initiatives like the Winnipeg One Million Perimeter Freeway Initiative.

“It is an honour to work with this group of leaders to provide advice to the Manitoba government to help position Manitobans and the businesses which serve them as significant trade and transportation competitors,” said Barry Rempel, vice-chair, Manitoba Strategic Corridors Advisory Council. “This council recognizes the value of understanding the potential Manitoba represents and strives to establish the province as a prime destination for investment and trade on a global scale.”

The advisory council also noted the critical need to work with partners on regional approaches, such as the Manitoba government’s memorandum of understanding on economic corridors with Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“I’d like to thank the advisory council for its diligent work that will contribute to the province’s economic advantages and the prosperity of all Manitobans,” said Piwniuk. This vision will enable the growth of existing Manitoba companies, support value-added activities, and facilitate direct foreign investment using Manitoba’s central continental location as a core competitive advantage.”

The advisory council will build on these recommendations and continue its work by meeting with key sector groups, local supply chain representatives, and academic-oriented institutions, the minister noted.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.

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