November 16, 2018 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Date: November 16, 2018
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Total participants

Q1) What does a stronger western Canadian economy look like 10 years from now?

• Affordable housing and low living costs will help retain graduates.
• Western Canada could be at the forefront of biotech R&D and other emerging industries; instead we're falling behind.
  • Follow Japan's model and export science and technology to the world.
• Diversify exports. Focus more on Asia and decrease reliance on the United States.
• Incorporate charging stations in more roadside stations to grow the ability to use Canada-made hydrogen fuel cells.

Q2) What are the best ways to spur new growth in western Canada

• Take advantage of emerging industries.
• Keep the manufacturing sector strong by investing in research and development and high value products.
• Focus on developing connections with post-secondary institutions to connect graduates with employers looking to fill a need.
• Encourage smaller rural business development with incentives to innovate.

Q3) What will help the Indigenous economy continue to grow?

• Manitoba has the largest, youngest Indigenous population in western Canada. We need to reduce barriers to increase participation in the economy.
• Promote and support Indigenous entrepreneurs.
  • Follow the example of Émilie McKinney, a 17 year old Indigenous hoop dancer from Swan Lake First Nation that identified a need for affordable Indigenous authentic jingle cones and began manufacturing them in Manitoba.
• Primary and secondary education must be improved because currently, high school completion does not prepare Indigenous students from reserves for university level success.
• Indigenous students face barriers to academic success that must be reduced such as:
• Paying for school while working means cutting back on course work and pushing back graduation date.
• Less family support due to physical distance to Winnipeg.
• Lack of family knowledge to help kids navigate the institutional bureaucracy of university.
• Keep education affordable by creating more post-recruitment grants. Financial support dries up after getting people through the door.
• Educational success can be promoted by enhancing supports for Indigenous students and creating welcoming spaces.

Q4) How can we improve economic participation in the west of underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and new immigrants

• Build up newcomer community groups to support and allow new Canadians to pursue ideas.
• Newcomer programs provide basic skills. The federal government can help fund these program providers.
• Create connection network that helps students to bring ideas to markets:
  • Use networks to target underrepresented demographic groups.

Q5) How can governments, industry, and western Canadians work together to grow the regional economy?

• The Federal Student Work Experience Program is a good initiative for university to partner with government to bridge students with permanent employment. Government can remove barriers to apply and make the application process better known.
• The government work application process is tough to penetrate. Have recruitment come through campus programs, student groups, and through professors.
• Government can do a better job of explaining what economic trends mean to a student or job seeker.
• Create a more clear line of how to move from graduation to employment such as government specific career fairs.