Davidson to lead provincewide economic development agency

The lead of Manitoba’s chamber network will become the driving force behind a provincewide economic development agency.

Chuck Davidson is leaving his role as president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. He’ll end his 13-year tenure at the non-profit, which represents more than 60 chambers, on Sept. 4.

On Sept. 8, he’ll begin as president and chief executive of Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism. The provincial government announced Thursday it’s mandated WEDT to serve as a provincewide economic development agency (following a Budget 2026 promise).

However, the shape of such an agency — and how it will affect existing entities — hasn’t yet been determined, Davidson said.

“There is no intent to say, at this point, ‘OK, we’re taking over this organization,’” he said on Thursday. “This needs to be done collaboratively.”

Business leaders have asked for a one-stop-shop for investors for years.

Economic development groups dot the province. It can create a fragmented experience for investors, taking away from Manitoba’s competitiveness as it fights for business globally, some in the private sector have argued.

“I view this as almost a call to service,” said Davidson, 56.

He’s planning to liaise with Indigenous groups, the private sector and existing economic development agencies, both urban and rural.

The talks will determine what a provincewide agency will provide and how it will unroll, Davidson said.

The agency will assist in government program navigation and moving projects from inquiry to implementation, according to a provincial government news release. Connecting with “partners” and advocating for Manitoba abroad are also part of the package.

More details should appear over the next year, Davidson said.

The agency will interact with Manitoba’s new trade offices, Business Minister Jamie Moses said. Manitoba is creating sites in Europe, Mexico and India, in addition to its Washington, D.C., branch.

“It makes us more competitive in a global landscape,” Moses said of the new agency. “That’s exactly what we need, now more than ever in Manitoba.”

His department is working on a support plan for businesses hit by United States tariffs. Recent trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. broke down last week.

The province tapped Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism because it wants to “leverage what they have,” Moses said.

The organization attracts companies and events to Winnipeg, and it works on business retention. It supported the establishment and expansion of 68 companies between 2016 and 2025 and drew 792 events to the city, according to WEDT.

Davidson will oversee the 57-person team.

He’ll stay on several boards and councils, including as chair of Rural Manitoba Economic Development and as a member of the premier’s business and jobs council.

“He brings incredible experience from across the province,” said Amanda Macdonald, Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism’s chief operating officer. “He really understands businesses, he really understands tourism and he understands economic development.”

The leadership role has been open since Ryan Kuffner, the former president, left in June. Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism will continue its regular operations while tackling its larger mandate.

The Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corp., Economic Development Brandon and CDEM expressed support for a province-wide entity.

“(For somebody) looking at the province as a place to invest, it’s really helpful to have a very clear pathway to proceed through,” said Margot Cathcart, chief executive of Rural Manitoba Economic Development.

It’s unlikely rural economic development branches will disappear under the new system, added Gerald Cathcart, director of economic development for Economic Development Brandon (and Margot’s husband): “You’re … the subject matter experts on your community.”

He attended Hanover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade fairs, earlier this year. There was a Manitoba team at the event in Germany, but the presence “could be expanded,” he said.

Manitoba counted six global investment projects last year — behind provinces including Saskatchewan (13), Alberta (68) and Ontario (278).

Ontario has a single-window economic development agency and multiple trade offices abroad.

Predictable, long-term and increased funding of economic development groups is needed to boost competitiveness, Cathcart said.

“The challenge … is that it’s a global market,” he said. “A company that visited Brandon about a year ago got (on) the airplane in Winnipeg and went to Argentina.”

Some rural development groups the Free Press contacted awaited more details about the new agency. The Manitoba Métis Federation wasn’t involved in the initial discussions — and an offer now is too late, said president David Chartrand.

The provincial government worked with a transition advisory council, made up of entrepreneurs, in the year leading up to Thursday’s announcement.

“Not to be included is … insulting to me,” Chartrand said. “It’s not like they don’t hear we’re part of the economic vision of trying to help in our province.

“They never invited me to the dance, so why am I going to go dance now?”

Davidson said he aims for the new agency to create job and industry growth in Manitoba, ultimately keeping young people in the province.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham shared his support for WEDT’s expanded mandate in a news release.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com