The 2025 Manitoba Economic Summit brought leaders from across the province to Winkler earlier this month for two days of panels, networking, and critical policy discussions. Held at several venues throughout Winkler, and highlighting Winkler-made products throughout the summit, for local Chambers of Commerce, the event marked regional cooperation and advocacy.
“It was really good for us to have the Manitoba Chamber come to Winkler,” said Doug Eidse, President of the Winkler & District Chamber of Commerce. “It was an honour... It was good to meet a lot of the other chambers and the people from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, and to understand how they operate. It was good to learn for our own Chamber as well.”
Housing shortages, immigration, trade, supply chains
A key portion of the event featured panel discussions tackling shared challenges and opportunities facing the Morden-Winkler region. Topics included housing shortages, immigration, workforce development, and the critical need for infrastructure investment to support continued growth.
Eidse spoke about the growing collaboration between the two Chambers and the efficiency it brings.
"We're definitely trying to achieve common goals, so bringing in the skills and information to our communities is something we can for sure share," he said. He pointed to a recent example where Morden hosted a supply chain expert and extended the invitation to Winkler businesses.
"Doing things together is a much more efficient way of doing it. And... we're trying to achieve the same goals."
A highlight on the panel, according to Eidse, was Stan Pauls, CEO and Co-owner of Décor Cabinets who offered a business perspective, noting the pressures local companies are facing as the workforce and housing struggles continue. He highlighted how employers are increasingly having to step into roles traditionally filled by other sectors.
He explained that many businesses now provide settlement assistance to newcomers themselves, filling gaps in available services. He added that although demand for skilled labor continues to rise, companies must remain proactive in helping workers stay and thrive in the region.
Together, the panel emphasized the urgency of addressing housing and infrastructure challenges through inter-municipal cooperation, while also recognizing the role businesses play in fostering long-term community development.
Joint policy resolution
Another key highlights of the summit was the presentation and approval of a joint policy resolution from the Morden Chambers of Commerce with the support of Winkler — a move both Chambers say is vital to ensuring economic sustainability for the region.
“It was a very exciting moment,” said Tyler Schroeder, President of the Morden Chamber of Commerce. “We presented a policy resolution to bring attention to the urgent infrastructure funding needs across our province.”
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The resolution calls for a shift away from the current 1/3 cost-sharing model, where municipalities, provinces, and the federal government each contribute equally to infrastructure projects, which Schroeder says is no longer realistic.
“With rapidly increasing infrastructure costs, it's no longer feasible for most municipal governments to come up with their 1/3 of the project costs,” he explained. “We're urgently asking the provincial government to step forward with infrastructure funding commitments beyond that, and to encourage the federal government to do the same... The risk in not doing so is stalled or slowed economic and community development.”
Unanimous support
The resolution passed with unanimous support from Chamber representatives across Manitoba, making it a priority discussion item with the provincial government for the next two years.
Schroeder emphasized that the infrastructure crisis isn’t isolated to Winkler or Morden.
“This is not a localized or even a regional phenomenon. Our communities continue to grow at a rapid rate, which is wonderful — but it’s stretching the capacity of our infrastructure,” he said. “It’s now time for the provincial and federal governments to arrive with infrastructure funding commitments that will allow our region to continue as an economic powerhouse.”
Region benefiting from collaboration
Both Eidse and Schroeder highlighted how inter-Chamber collaboration continues to benefit the region.
“Doing things together certainly is a much more efficient way of doing it,” said Eidse. “We’re trying to achieve common goals... bringing these services to both communities at the same time only improves our resource base.”
“There’s a recognition between the two communities that the needs of one are the needs of the other,” added Schroeder. “We have to hold each other up and work together more and more. There’s a lot to be proud of between Morden and Winkler.”
Eidse also noted the summit’s emphasis on future-facing topics, including artificial intelligence. “They had a presenter reviewing AI — that’s definitely an up-and-coming topic that’s affecting businesses, and something our local Chambers can present to our businesses as well.”
With strengthened relationships, a clearer policy roadmap, and growing support from across Manitoba, the summit served as both a celebration of what’s been accomplished and a launch point for what’s next.
Photos from MB Chamber Facebook page.
