Chamber fills leadership abyss

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Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press Brian Bowman, a partner in Winnipeg law firm Pitblado, is the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce�s new chairman.

Brian Bowman refers to those whose names were on the ballots on Tuesday as people who make the ultimate sacrifice.

For someone who has just been sworn is as chairman of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, that's saying a lot.

The one-year volunteer position as head of the chamber is one of the most demanding, time-consuming and thankless jobs in town.

And Bowman's magnanimity toward those seeking office is not just sucking up. He's one of those people who believes there is a lot of value, if not an obligation, in public service.

"I do not want to be a bystander," said the 40-year-old partner in the Winnipeg law firm Pitblado -- the same firm that produced recent chamber chairmen Phil Sheps and Joe Barnsley.

Being sworn in as the chamber's 118th chairman the day after Manitoba held its 40th provincial election is a reminder that there's some depth to the business community in Winnipeg.

And after a few weeks of sniping from the political parties, it's worth remembering the truly non-partisan nature of the chamber.

In his remarks at the chamber's annual meeting on Wednesday, Bowman quoted Tommy Douglas. He also made reference to a report put together by the Manitoba Employers Council, which effectively lambasted the NDP's track record on the economy.

Maybe none of us are truly non-partisan, but the chamber has proven to be a good place for the agnostics to gather.

"I think the chamber is the most effective vehicle for affecting positive change in the city," Bowman said. "The thing I like about the chamber is that we can work with every level of government and with all the different political parties."

Plenty of community initiatives agitating for special-interest issues over the years have come and gone.

It is remarkable that the chamber continues to stay front and centre on some of the most challenging issues.

During the past election, many people took issue with the lack of visionary leadership expressed by either Greg Selinger or Hugh McFadyen.

Throughout the campaign, the chamber compiled and issued a detailed list of what it called "bold" ideas for economic development in the province.

It wasn't so much trying to fill that visionary role, just ensure the conversation does not die down.

Led by its energetic, self-effacing president, Dave Angus, the chamber has now distilled that challenging to-do list into the foundation of a new three-year strategic plan.

The intention was to make economic development a priority for the party leaders during the election campaign.

Since both parties eschewed any serious discussions of economic development policies, it probably did not take.

But Angus said the chamber membership has lofty goals and will continue to fight the fight.

"We have the staff in place, and membership that is engaged," he said. "We're in a great position to make a difference in the community."

Even though the chance of broad success is slim, the chamber will keep up its efforts to instil bold ideas into the framework of an otherwise cautious economy.

"(During the election campaign) I was looking for and did not see any rallying or clear vision as to where to take the province," Bowman said. "I hope the chamber's 'bold' initiative will help encourage that discussion."

Bowman spoke about his desire to see tangible results when it comes to issues like jobs, economic prosperity and safety in the community. We all know results in those areas do not come easily.

A community needs such an organization that will keep pushing at that wheel -- and people to do the pushing.

"When I first got involved in the chamber, I was expecting it would be a good organization to participate in," Bowman said. "But I have been blown away by the influence and power it has in being able to rally people together in ways I have not seen in other organizations."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 6, 2011 B6