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Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bill 47 ‘way to start the conversation'
Manitoba business leaders are touting a new interprovincial trade bill as a 'positive first step' — albeit one lacking details and key changes they've called for. Bill 47 was passed in the Manitoba legislature on Monday. The bill allows for mutual recognition of goods and services with other jurisdictions who have similar laws. It comes less than a month ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's deadline; he wants free internal trade by Canada Day. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun A line of semi trailers sit parked along the Trans-Canada Highway during a winter road closure. Trucking sector disparities between the provinces are top of mind for many in the move to break down interprovincial trade barriers. 'The last thing we need is trade barriers within our own country when we have them with the rest of the world,' said Bram Strain, president of the Business Council of Manitoba. He deemed the greenlighting of Bill 47 a 'very positive first step.' The bill should affect regulations unnoticed by the average shopper. For example, Manitoba will acknowledge other provinces' food label standards when importing products and vice versa. Such interactions will follow mutual recognition deals between jurisdictions. Trucking sector disparities are top of mind for some. There are information gaps — such as different systems to check a company's history — and inconsistent vehicle and driver regulations. Such variation can be costly to trucking companies; and that cost may be downloaded onto farmers, said Colin Hornby, general manager of the Keystone Agricultural Producers. Retailers, hospitality groups and others shipping goods will benefit from more efficient trucking, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Loren Remillard added. The Manitoba Trucking Association plans to meet with provincial officials about Bill 47's impact. 'We need to work together, because having different standards is challenging,' said Aaron Dolyniuk, MTA executive director. 'What we need to do is harmonize up to a consistently high standard, so that the integrity of safety in the trucking industry is not compromised.' Manitoba is working with Ottawa on smoothing out trucking regulations nationwide, said provincial Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jamie Moses. He spoke to federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland on the topic last week. (Manitoba recently changed its semi-truck logo requirements to align with other provinces; it was previously an outlier, requiring a minimum width requirement for letter size.) In general, breaking down interprovincial barriers should reduce prices for Canadians, said Remillard. 'It costs (businesses) less, and they pass that cost on to the consumer.' If Manitoba signed mutual agreements with every province, Canada's GDP could grow $26.8 billion, the Montreal Economic Institute projected. Nova Scotia has circled Manitoba as a mutually recognized province, Moses said. Ontario, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick have also introduced or passed similar legislation. Manitoba signed a memorandum of understanding with Ontario last month; the deal includes better direct-to-consumer alcohol sales and labour mobility. Hornby, who's among Premier Wab Kinew's private-sector advisers, considers Bill 47 'a way to start the conversation with all the provinces.' He and others, including the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, stressed a need for more mutual recognition of professional certifications. Health-care staff, veterinarians and lawyers are among the workers business leaders cited. Bill 47 doesn't apply to occupations covered by the Labour Mobility Act and Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act to avoid duplication, Moses said. He's working with federal, provincial and territorial governments on a service standard for credential recognition throughout Canada, he added. Another Bill 47 carve out: it doesn't apply to goods and services from Crown corporations. Alcohol retailers won't have easier access to other provinces' liquor store shelves, noted Kevin Selch, founder of Little Brown Jug Brewing Co. in Winnipeg. 'The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) is a bit of a beast to access,' he said. The LCBO is one of the biggest liquor buyers globally. If Manitoba lowers its markup rates, local craft brewers would be more competitive and have a 'better home court advantage,' offering lower prices and possibly saving money for marketing elsewhere, Selch added. 'We don't want to privatize Manitoba Hydro or MPI and our Crown corporations,' Moses said when asked about the exemption. The province is focused on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, Moses added. Brewers have been critical, saying Ontario residents and others won't ship a flat of beer to their homes. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said he's watching new deals between provinces 'cautiously.' He fears a 'race to the bottom' on health and safety standards in pursuit of economic activity. 'Worker safety needs to be paramount,' Rebeck said. 'That shouldn't be sacrificed or recognized as a barrier.' Other provinces care about their citizens' safety; mutual recognition shouldn't be viewed as an unsafe practice, Remillard said. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada needs new approach to meet new U.S. challenges: Frum
Canada needs a 'plan B' in the face of tariffs and political instability introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, says writer and political commentator David Frum. Frum shared that message Friday at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, during an appearance presented by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Business Council of Manitoba. Canadians have often faced challenges and difficulties in the U.S.-Canada relationship, Frum said, and there is 'a well-established playbook' as to how Canada meets these challenges: the prime minister and premiers work together with their allies at the state level in an attempt to show U.S. Congress and the president why the measures the U.S. are taking are not in the interests of the American people. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Political commentator and Atlantic staff writer David Frum speaks during a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce event Friday morning at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Through a combination of 'mobilizing friends (and making) timely concessions,' said Frum, a staff writer at U.S. magazine The Atlantic, 'the trillion-dollar relationship flows along in relatively smooth waves.' Today, however, Canada faces a different situation, he added, likening current relations to a scene from the 1964 spy film Goldfinger in which the titular villain has a laser pointed at protagonist James Bond. 'Do you expect me to talk?' Bond asks. To which Auric Goldfinger responds: 'No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.' 'It's kind of hard to negotiate that situation,' Frum said. 'That has been Canada's problem. Since this new (U.S.) administration has taken power, there are a series of complaints, there are a series of threats, there are a series of attacks, but there's no ask.' The old playbook no longer works, he added, so the country needs a 'plan B' in case it decides to abandon its current tactics. One thing Canada could do is introduce export tariffs on products the country sends south of the border that would be difficult for the U.S. to replace, including potash, electricity, wheat used to make everyday pasta products and wood pulp used to make one-third of the toilet paper in the U.S. With international student enrolment in danger at U.S. post-secondary institutions and scientific funding under threat, Frum recommends recruiting professors and researchers from America to move to Canada and continue their work here. 'Go poach their talent,' he said. 'The United States has been poaching Canadian talent for a long time. Turn the tables, this is the moment to do that.' Frum, who was a speechwriter for U.S. president George W. Bush in the early 2000s, went on to suggest Canada further develop its relationship with Mexico. While both countries have both been party to the former North American Free Trade Agreement and Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement, it's always been the U.S. organizing these trilateral relationships, Frum said. 'Canada needs to develop its presence in Mexico City (and) find areas of commonality,' he said. 'You're in a trilateral relationship. It's a fact. Act on it and work on the last leg of that triangle in pursuit of a common goal.' While introducing his final suggestion, Frum noted when it comes to defence agreements between Canada and the U.S., 'the most important way Canada has contributed … is by the use of aerospace,' at times giving that aerospace away for free. If Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defence system becomes a reality, the U.S. should pay for whatever Canadian 'real estate' the system uses, Frum said. 'A lot of things that didn't have a price before should (have a) price now,' he said. 'And if this is a relationship based on transactions, the instinctive Canadian habit of trying to show itself as a good partner … may be a little bit out of date.' Frum later offered what he called a 'consoling thought.' People who grew up in North America after the Second World War have generally lived under safe and prosperous conditions their parents and grandparents fought for, he said. It's this generation's turn to do the same, the 64-year-old suggested. 'It's an awesome responsibility and kind of an inspiring one. So we have to do our part in the way that our parents and grandparents (did) theirs.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. While introducing Frum, Winnipeg chamber chairman Kevin Selch described the Toronto-born commentator as 'one of the most influential political analysts of our time' and someone who 'brings a rational conscience to the mainstream.' Global trade, national resilience and Canada's shifting relationship with the U.S. are topics that can feel 'abstract and even daunting,' Selch said later, but he encouraged attendees to be courageous. 'As we face the road ahead, I'd like to leave you with the message that we shouldn't fear change,' Selch said. 'We should expect it and when it comes we need to face it prepared together.' Around 150 people attended the event. Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-04-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Public consultation on MB economic development plan
Public consultations on a province-wide economic development strategy have begun. On Thursday, the Manitoba government launched a public survey to gather feedback about policies needed to bolster productivity, investment and innovation. Consultation has been ongoing through the Premier's Business and Jobs Council over the past 14 months. Economic Development Winnipeg, the Business Council of Manitoba and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce have been tapped to gather perspectives from business leaders. The voices of Indigenous communities, labour and municipalities are also being accounted for, a government webpage for Manitoba's economic development strategy says ( It says the incoming document is an 'enduring roadmap to enhance Manitoba's productivity and competitiveness,' leading to higher wages and per capita income. The survey will be open until May 20. — Free Press staff
CBC
21-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Western Canadian business groups outline wish list ahead of federal election call
Social Sharing Western Canadian business groups have outlined their wish list ahead of an expected federal election call this weekend. Councils in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba jointly released a policy paper Friday entitled Untapped Potential — Driving Canadian Prosperity Through Natural Resources. They say Canada's next government faces a critical choice — continue with policies that limit investment, development and growth or create a competitive environment that allows the resource sector to thrive. "Canada has the untapped potential to be an economic superpower by leaning into policies that support the development of our resource sectors. Instead, we are limiting opportunities for the next generation by falling behind in our growth, productivity, and prosperity," said Laura Jones, head of the Business Council of B.C. "It's time to change course." The paper is focused on five key industries: agriculture, forestry, energy, mining and aquaculture. For all those sectors, the groups advocate for streamlining project approvals, pursuing new global markets and investing in trade-related infrastructure. They also want to see a clear and effective Indigenous consultation process and ways to unlock Indigenous economic potential in the resources sector. 'Unleashing Canada's natural strengths' Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, said Canada's resource industry is constrained by regulatory and policy barriers. "This initiative is about growing Canada's economy and improving the well-being of Canadians by unleashing Canada's natural strengths." Bram Strain, who heads the Business Council of Manitoba, said "Western Canada has the expertise, resources, and innovative capacity to grow our nation and meet global demands." The federal government enacted environmental review legislation in 2019 that aimed to better weigh major projects' impact on Canada's greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental, social and health matters. The Impact Assessment Act has since been amended after court challenges to its constitutionality, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and others still take issue with the revised legislation. Industry players have said regulatory uncertainty and long review timelines have made it difficult to make investment decisions. "By cutting red tape and creating a more predictable regulatory environment, we can attract investment, create jobs, and ensure long-term economic resilience," said Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this week, top executives at 10 major oil and gas producers and four pipeline companies released an open letter urging the federal government to invoke emergency powers to get energy export infrastructure, like pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals, built. That includes nixing the Impact Assessment Act and a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Election call expected Sunday Prime Minister Mark Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau in the role a week ago, is expected to ask Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve parliament on Sunday, triggering an election. The election will take place against the backdrop of a trade war with the United States, as well as President Donald Trump's expressed desire to make Canada the "51st state." Canada has retaliated against U.S. levies with its own tariffs on billions of dollars worth of U.S. goods. The Liberals have said they would keep a cap on industrial greenhouse gas emissions, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said his party would scrap it. Poilievre has also promised "shovel-ready zones" with pre-approved construction permits for major resource or energy projects.
