‘We’ve gotta dream big’: Stefanson focuses on economy, boosting Manitoba’s population during address

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This article was published 13/09/2023 (751 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson courted Manitoba’s business crowd Wednesday with talks of cutting taxes and keeping talent in the province.

She didn’t, however, provide a detailed plan on how her party will execute its vision of growing Manitoba to a population of two million people by 2030.

“We’ve gotta dream big for this province,” Stefanson told reporters. “I do believe this is a realistic dream for us. We need to set those goals and those targets to show we’re serious about growing the economy.”

The premier, seeking re-election Oct. 3, spent the morning in Winnipeg, discussing her platform at a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce event.

The Tory platform includes its Vision 2030 plan, which would add around 550,000 people to the keystone province’s population in less than seven years.

Stefanson spoke of expanding Manitoba’s critical mineral sector, cutting taxes, increasing immigration and retaining local talent.

Manitoba needs to be competitive on taxes to attract people, she said.

Stefanson didn’t directly say how the province can afford its tax cuts but referenced Manitoba’s “clean, green hydroelectric power” and a hydrogen, critical mineral and energy strategy in the works.

“We are in a very unique position right now with the geopolitical situation that’s going on in the world,” Stefanson said. “Businesses are looking at Manitoba for clean, green energy.”

The PCs are working on a critical mineral strategy, she added.

“You’ll see further development and active mines in places that you haven’t seen for a long time, places like Flin Flon, Snow Lake, Donner Lake, Thompson, Norway House,” Stefanson told the assembled crowd.

Economic growth is key, the premier reiterated, adding Manitoba can be a “net exporter of food.”

“I think four years from now, what you’re going to see is a Manitoba with lower taxes. Your bank account will have more money in it, your kids won’t be wanting to move away, I hope,” the PC candidate for Tuxedo said when asked what another PC win would look like.

The Tories have led the provincial government since 2016.

Stefanson did not provide details about how Manitoba would retain its talent. She mentioned tax competitiveness and marketing of the province’s quality of life — lower cost of living, available entertainment — as necessary next steps.

Government must work with post-secondary institutions and businesses to fill labour gaps, she added.

“There’s no question, she’s focused on the economy,” said Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Some of the things that they’ve announced to date are things that align with what we’ve been looking for.”

Namely, the PC’s proposed phase-out of the payroll tax. Businesses in Manitoba with a payroll between $1.5 million and $3 million are taxed 4.3 per cent; companies with higher payrolls are taxed 2.15 per cent.

It halts business growth and causes companies to relocate, Davidson said.

The Tories have promised to remove the tax over the next eight years, amounting to roughly $55 million a year lost in revenue for the province.

Vision 2030 is “a bold plan,” Davidson added.

“We do a great job of promoting tourism and why (Manitoba) is a great place to visit,” he said. “It’s a great place to work. It’s a great place to start a family. Let’s tell those stories more, let’s attract people here.”

Davidson highlighted skilled labour shortages, saying the average business is 15 per cent short of employees.

The chamber leader called for more flexible government funding to post-secondary schools. It will allow them to more easily pivot and meet market demand, in terms of expanding and creating new programs, he said.

“It’s not that business can wait five years for (new programs).”

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Many in the business community are looking for political parties to unveil detailed plans, including on trade and workforce development strategies.

Adam Nepon, an attendee Wednesday, had hoped to hear a “pragmatic approach on how… we (are) going to grow our economy.”

Last month, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce put a pre-election spotlight on its four priorities: strengthening economic competitiveness and business confidence; attracting and retaining talent; facilitating global trade and reducing barriers; and building “strong, resilient and healthy” communities.

The organization, which represents 64 local chambers, will host an event Sept. 19 with NDP Leader Wab Kinew.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com

Gabrielle Piché
Reporter

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.