Congrats, Carney — now keep your promises: Winnipeg biz community
Political and business leaders in Manitoba congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney for his election win, then put his government on notice to keep its promises and boost the economy.
'If there's going to be a Team Canada approach, we have to make sure First Nations are at the table,' Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Tuesday after congratulating Carney.
First Nations need to be involved in negotiating international trade and 'nation-building' projects that Carney has promised, said the chief who was born and raised in Pinaymootang First Nation.
One of the promises the new prime minister made on the campaign trail was to double the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program from $5 billion to $10 billion to make it easier for more communities to have a greater share in the benefits of major resource, transportation, and trade projects.
JUSTIN TANG / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney passes journalists this morning as he arrives at the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council in Ottawa after the Liberal Party won the Canadian federal election.
JUSTIN TANG / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney passes journalists this morning as he arrives at the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council in Ottawa after the Liberal Party won the Canadian federal election.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said having a Liberal government return to office is an opportunity to make progress on developing housing in the city, and the massive upgrade to the north end sewage treatment plant.
The mayor said Carney has committed to maintaining the housing accelerator fund agreement that's been 'very important to the City of Winnipeg to incentivize some key developments of residential units where we need residential housing.'
Gillingham also congratulated Winnipeg South Liberal Terry Duguid on his re-election, saying the MP worked closely with the city on funding for the $3-billion sewage plant upgrade.
'We're looking forward to continuing our conversation and efforts to find a funding mechanism and sources for that project.'
Gillingham said he wants Carney to get rid of U.S. tariffs or reduce them to protect jobs and to promote interprovincial trade that presents opportunities for Winnipeg.
'We're at the centre, geographically, of our nation,' Gillingham said.
'So much trade does and will continue to flow east to west through Winnipeg as we move product to market across our nation — it's running right through our city. We continue as a city and as a province to play a key role in Canada's economy.'
The federal government needs to get the provinces to the table and agree to remove trade barriers, echoed Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Loren Remillard.
'In today's day and age it seems really counterproductive, as we're struggling internationally with relations and some of the economic challenges associated with that, that we have these artificial barriers to our own economic well-being within Canada,' Remillard said. 'These are the things that are within our own control.'
Remillard said increased productivity in the business community and public sector is needed to navigate the trade waters, noting the use of artificial intelligence would be key.
The provincial director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business agreed that removing trade barriers is crucial to Canada's economy.
'Manitoba's small businesses are looking to the new government to follow through on its campaign promises, particularly around dropping the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate, removing the consumer carbon tax and knocking down interprovincial trade barriers,' said Brianna Solberg.
'So far, only three provinces — Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island — have introduced legislation to remove internal trade barriers on a reciprocal basis,' she said. That's set the stage for a freer trade zone among those three provinces.
'Manitoba's inaction on this means local businesses and workers will miss out on improved access to new Canadian markets,' Solberg said.
Premier Wab Kinew was not available for an interview on Tuesday but took to social media to congratulate Carney, posting a photo of the two of them in the premier's office. 'We look forward to building up this country with you.'
Kinew later posted a goodbye to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who announced he would step down after his party's poor election showing.
'Tough day for New Democrats across the country. Thank you, Jagmeet Singh, for your years of service and for standing up for working people. You led with the values we both share: fairness, justice, and compassion,' Kinew wrote.
Newly elected Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan was also unavailable for an interview but issued a statement congratulating Carney and all who ran for office, while thanking those who took the time to vote.
He said his focus is on holding Kinew and the NDP to account and ensuring access to quality and timely health care, making communities safer, life more affordable and Manitoba's economy stronger.
— with files from Joyanne Pursaga and Gabrielle Piché
carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Carol SandersLegislature reporter
Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.
Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
27 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada introduces legislation to build One Canadian Economy
OTTAWA, ON, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, introduced new legislation to build a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Canadian economy. One Canadian Economy: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, will remove federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, and advance nation-building projects crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness. Advancing Major Projects The proposed legislation will accelerate the realization of major, nation-building projects that will help Canada become the strongest economy in the G7, deepen our trade relationships with reliable partners, and create good Canadian jobs. The federal government will determine whether a major project is in the national interest based on consultations with provinces, territories and Indigenous Peoples. Projects will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria: Strengthen Canada's autonomy, resilience and security; Provide economic or other benefits to Canada; Have a high likelihood of successful execution; Advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples; and Contribute to clean growth and to Canada's objectives with respect to climate change. Projects will only be designated following full consultation with affected Indigenous Peoples. When a project is designated, it is conditionally approved upfront. The project will go through existing review processes, with a focus on "how" the project will be built as opposed to "whether" it can be. The federal major projects office will coordinate and expedite these reviews. The results, along with consultation with Indigenous Peoples, will inform a single set of binding federal conditions for the project. These conditions would include mitigation and accommodation measures to protect the environment and to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The federal major projects office will include an Indigenous Advisory Council with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis representatives. The federal government will also allocate capacity funding to strengthen Indigenous Peoples' participation in this process. This legislation aligns with the Government of Canada's commitment to a 'one project, one review' approach, which means realizing a single assessment for projects and better coordination of permitting processes with the provinces and territories. The ultimate objective is to reduce decision timelines on major projects from five years down to two years. Canada will uphold its constitutional obligations to consult Indigenous groups to ensure projects proceed in ways that respect and protect Indigenous rights. We are committed to working in a way that respects our commitments to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the principles of reconciliation, including economic reconciliation. Removing Internal Trade and Labour Mobility Barriers This new legislation builds one economy out of thirteen. It removes federal barriers to free trade within our borders while protecting workers, the environment and the health and safety of all Canadians. In cases where there is a federal barrier, the legislation will allow a good or service that meets comparable provincial or territorial rules to be considered to have met federal requirements for internal trade. For Canadian businesses, this will make it easier to buy, sell and transport goods and services across the country. On labour mobility, the new legislation will provide a framework to recognize provincial and territorial licenses and certifications for workers. This means that a worker authorized in provincial or territorial jurisdiction can more quickly and easily work in the same occupation in federal jurisdiction. This new legislation will make it easier to do business across Canada by removing regulatory duplication and cutting federal red tape. It will also reduce costs or delays for Canadian businesses who follow comparable provincial and territorial rules. Quotes "Canada's new government is building one Canadian economy. Today's legislation will remove federal barriers to internal trade, unleash Canada's economic potential, and get major, nation-building projects built faster across the country. It's time to build big, build bold, and build now." —The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada "Our country thrives when we unite around a common purpose. In response to the evolving global trade landscape, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action to strengthen Canada's economy for generations to come. Through this legislation, we are giving ourselves the means to lift obstacles to economic growth and productivity, realize nation-building projects, create jobs and allow businesses to expand. Together with provinces and territories and Indigenous communities, we will make Canada the strongest economy in the G7." —The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy "Trade within Canada is an essential driver of the Canadian economy, creating jobs, helping businesses expand, and enhancing consumer choice. Every year, more than $530 billion worth of goods and services move across provincial and territorial borders. This is equal to almost 20% of Canada's gross domestic product. That is with internal barriers holding us back. Imagine what we could achieve if people and goods flowed freely across borders in a truly unified Canadian market." —The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade "This new legislation is about building a stronger, more connected Canada—by making it easier to trade, faster to build big projects, and better at creating good opportunities for people, businesses, and Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast. Energy and natural resources are Canada's power, and we will deliver projects that leverage these assets in order to strengthen our security, sovereignty, and economy." Associated Links Internal Trade Clean Growth Office First Ministers' statement on building a strong Canadian economy and advancing major projects Prime Minister Carney meets with premiers and shares his plan to build one strong Canadian economy Stay Connected SOURCE President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy Contact : For more information (media only), please contact: Gabriel Brunet, Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, 819-665-6527, [email protected]; Laura Scaffidi, Office of the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, 613-993-0055, [email protected]; Carolyn Svonkin, Office of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, 343-597-1725, [email protected]; Media Relations, Privy Council Office, 613-957-5420, [email protected]
CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
Carney gov't tables bill to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, build national projects
CTV News Channel is Canada's 24-hour all-news network. Watch the latest headlines from Canada and around the world. We're sorry, this content is not available in your country. [5004/403.72] Prime Minister Mark Carney's government tabled much-anticipated legislation on Friday, aimed at reducing interprovincial trade barriers, easing labour mobility and advancing major projects. Canada-U.S. Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc tabled what'll be known as Bill C-5 in the House of Commons, at 12:10 p.m. and is now standing alongside the prime minister and other key cabinet ministers on Parliament Hill to announce the new measures. Interprovincial trade barriers – such as health and safety regulations, varying product standards, or incongruent trade and professional licensing standards – exist to protect jobs regionally, but can result in consumers paying 7.8 to 14.5 per cent more for the goods and services they buy, according to Statistics Canada. Less than 20 pages in total, the legislation is being billed as the catalyst for Carney's promise to create 'one Canadian economy' by seeking to enact a new 'Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act' and a 'Building Canada Act.' Equivalency for standards on goods, services In terms of internal trade limits, Carney's efforts focus on adjusting federal rules and regulations, building on work already undertaken by many premiers to alleviate cross-province restrictions. Bill C-5 provides 'a framework to substantially reduce the burden of federal rules that apply to trade across provincial and territorial borders,' according to briefing materials provided to reporters. This means that goods or services produced, used, or distributed in line with a province or territory's standards would also meet the equivalent federal requirement. One example given by officials ahead of the bill's tabling was food. If a product meets one province's organic standards, it would be treated as if it meets the national standard as well. Similarly, should a washing machine meet provincial energy efficiency requirements, it would be approved federally. The government says this change would make it easer for Canadian businesses to sell their products across the country , while expanding choice for consumers. Framework for labour mobility In terms of easing labour mobility, the government bill seeks to 'provide a framework to recognize provincial and territorial licenses and certifications for workers.' In practice, should Bill C-5 pass, a worker approved by one provincial or territorial jurisdiction would be able to more easily and rapidly work in the same occupation , federally. For example, it would be less burdensome for workers to receive a federal license, as their provincial certification would be recognized. The government says that would also provide employers with a broader candidate base for jobs. The legislation also includes provisions to give cabinet the power to make regulations respecting the movement of labour within Canada. Coming out of Monday's First Ministers' Meeting, an agreement was made to work together 'towards a 30-day service standard for credential recognition,' an official said Friday. This would apply to professions such as doctors and skilled trades workers. New rules for projects of national interest There is also a significant portion of this legislation that would change how new major projects can be built, building on Carney's promise to develop a 'one project, one review' approach. Bill C-5 proposes to speed up the development of these projects, and streamline multiple decision points, seeing the federal government determine whether it is in the national interest. That determination – taken by cabinet – would be weighed by a few factors, including Indigenous and provincial consultation. The other criteria the legislation outlines are whether a project: strengthens 'Canada's autonomy, resilience and security'; provides 'economic or other benefits to Canada'; has 'a high likelihood of successful execution'; advances 'the interests of Indigenous peoples; and contributes 'to clean growth and to Canada's objectives with respect to climate change.' 'This bill seeks to get projects in the national interest built by focusing on a small number of executable projects and shifting the focus of federal reviews from 'whether' to build these projects to 'how' to best advance them,' according to the government. The legislation also proposes to create 'a more flexible process' for regulatory decisions about a project, by creating a 'two-key' process that seeks to centralize some of the paperwork and decision-taking, such as around impact assessments, consultations and permits. Carney's aim, according to officials, is to remove uncertainty, build investor confidence, and shorten the amount of time it takes for approvals, from five years to two years. When asked to put a dollar figure on the value of the projects that would be unlocked and become eligible under these changes, an official said it was 'not possible to say.' 'There's a lot of potential,' the official— speaking on a not-for-attribution basis – said. 'You've seen discussions started with provinces through the First Ministers Meeting and initial meetings with Indigenous people. So those conversations have started. There's a lot of potential, but there's nothing in the legislation that defines a number of projects. So, it's too hypothetical to say.' Removing more free trade exceptions by July In addition to tabling this new legislation, the federal government is committing to remove further federal exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, by July 2025. Throughout the election campaign, Carney repeatedly pledged to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day, while his platform promised only to table the necessary legislation by July 1. He also vowed to 'remove all federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.'While the legislation does not do that, the Liberals made it clear today that they intend to follow-through, and that they do not require legislation to lift the remaining limitations, noting 20 federal exemptions were lifted by the federal government before the election. According to an official, the remaining exceptions relate to national security or areas where there are 'co-legislated frameworks,' with another province or territory. 'We're continuing to do the analysis to see whether or not they can be dropped,' the official said. 'My team and I continue work with other departments to see what do we really need to maintain and does it impact internal trade?' According to the Committee on Internal Trade, in 2024 more than $530 billion worth of goods and services moved across provincial and territorial borders, representing almost 20 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product. Eliminating barriers – both at the federal and provincial levels – is estimated to potentially add up to $200 billion to the Canadian economy. With files from CTV News' Noah Watcher This is a developing story, check back for updates...
CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra says Canada's economic hopes align with Trump's goals
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra speaks at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce B7 Summit in Ottawa on Friday, May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — The American ambassador to Canada says U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of enhancing American power aligns with Ottawa's aim of becoming the fastest-growing G7 economy. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra also says frequent talks between Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney show how much Washington is invested in boosting both countries' economic growth — even though he isn't sure how often the two leaders speak. Hoekstra tells The Canadian Press the important thing is that the exchanges between Carney and Trump happen frequently and aren't leaked to media. Hoekstra says Canada and the U.S. can partner more on producing cars and challenging China's growing share of the global auto market — despite Trump's repeated claim that America doesn't need Canadian lumber or energy and doesn't want Canadian-built cars. The ambassador insists there is 'absolutely no discrepancy' between his focus on win-win partnerships and Trump's tariffs and rhetoric. Hoekstra isn't offering a timeline for trade talks as discussions continue between Ottawa and Washington on tariffs and a possible early start to a review of the North American trade deal this fall. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
