MHCA surveys provincial party leaders on infrastructure investment

The MHCA has sent questionnaires to the leaders of the three main political parties, asking about the priority they place on strategic infrastructure investment.

The Q&As were sent last week, seeking responses by August 26, to inform MHCA’s public advocacy efforts during the provincial election campaign. A provincial election is slated for September 10.

“We are very interested in knowing how much importance each leader and their party put on well-designed investment in infrastructure, particularly core infrastructure which has been proven to have a strong return to the GDP,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said.

The survey asks the leaders: to rank the priority of infrastructure investment, on a scale of 1-10; whether they would release the provincial infrastructure investment deficit reports (roads and bridges); and how their party – if elected – would address that deficit.

The MHCA has proposed to the provincial government that a provincial working group be established to review the current way infrastructure is funded and how best to reframe the funding model in a coordinated, strategic investment approach.

“To get the best value for taxpayers’ dollars, infrastructure funding must be coordinated across departments and also, to a degree, with other levels of government. That’s the way our trade-transportation system gets the planning and robust investment priority it deserves,” Lorenc explained. “Further, the only way to attack a multi-billion-dollar deficit in infrastructure investment is to set out, with the help of asset-management systems and multi-year budgeting, program budgets that rise in a sustainable and incremental way.”

The MHCA’s election campaign advocacy strategy uses social media, along with radio and billboard advertising, to ensure that investment in core infrastructure, especially highways, remains top of the mind for political candidates and voters.

Further, the association has joined 9 other leading business groups to focus the public mind on critical elements required to grow the provincial economy. Their document Growing the Economy – More to be Done contains “7 Pillars” upon which the provincial government can boost Manitoba’s GDP. The pillars include greater participation with the private sector to create jobs; investing in core, community and educational infrastructure to connect communities and spur trade; and, engaging Indigenous communities.

The 9 other organizations include: Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Manitoba, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Manitoba Home Builders’ Association, Manitoba Real Estate Association, Winnipeg Construction Association, Merit Contractors of Manitoba, Manitoba Trucking Association.

“Throughout the campaign period, Manitobans will see these groups setting out what they see required to boost economic activity in their sectors, but they have also come together to agree upon 7 basic pillars to guide provincial economic policy,” said Lorenc. “We are anxious to have that conversation with each of the parties, to ensure the economy gets the attention it needs.”

You can read the Q&A MHCA sent to party leaders here and click here for the full 7 Pillars document.