On December 7, Premier Wab Kinew announced the creation of the “Premier’s Business and Jobs Council to advise the province on developing a strong economy that Manitoba can rely on for generations to come.”
This is good news, because, as the saying goes, a government’s policies are only as good as the advice they get.
And there is a lot happening in the world, economically, politically, environmentally, and culturally. Globalization, the predominant economic model since the Second World War is on the wane and North America is reshoring, friend-shoring and repatriating industrial and manufacturing capability. The push to decarbonize human activity will profoundly affect practically everything we do.
All of this presents an incredible opportunity for any jurisdiction with a central location, clean energy, transportation infrastructure and lots of space. Throw in abundant natural resources and you have the makings of an economic powerhouse. It could and should be Manitoba’s Time.
Is Manitoba smart enough, or quick enough, or inventive enough to take advantage of the significant changes in the geopolitical landscape? I think so, but you need the right people with the right skills, and the right experience at the table.
That’s why the new Business and Jobs Council causes some unease.
It is populated by a large group of 35 well-known, competent and capable people who undoubtably have Manitoba’s and Manitoban’s best interests at heart.
Despite the large numbers, many important sectors are unrepresented, while many sectors are represented several times:
- There’s no one from the research community, and research is the foundation of innovation, economic diversification and development.
- Where’s the resource sector? The resource sector is one of the largest, most important primary industry that is, literally and figuratively, the bedrock of the Canadian economy.
- The Technology Sector is largely absent.
- Post-secondary is not there, and education, training and skills are the number one issues facing the labour market today.
- Transportation and logistics?
- Heavy Construction?
- Arts and Culture?
- Apprenticeship?
- Hydro?
With the exception of one or two individuals, rural and northern participation looks like an afterthought.
Good economic policy is created when the inputs (information and advice) is sound and broad based. Without the input from key sectors of the economy and strong regional representation the Premier’s council’s impact will be diminished.
