b'FROM OURPOLICY ANDRESEARCH MANAGERRenewed Momentum for Winnipeg Metro RegionThere is a renewed momentum to have the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region work collaboratively and coordinateWORKING GROUP FOReconomic development thanks to a new report and WINNIPEG METRO REGIONworking group.A new report by Dr. Robert Murray, PhD, Managing Director The working group will consist of Murray serving in an Government Affairs and Public Policy at Dentons Canada LLP, titledadvisory capacity and as interim chair, and 13 members:For the Benefit of All: Regional Competitiveness and Collaborationin the Winnipeg METRO Region was released on October 31 andSusan A. ThomsonFounder of the Winnipeg outlines the benefits of a collaborative approach to economicMetropolitan Region (WMR), community leader, development and the steps to deliver it effectively. entrepreneur, politician, diplomat andphilanthropic fundraiser;The report was released at a lunch hosted by Colleen Sklar,Karl LoeppChief Operating Officer,Executive Director, Winnipeg Metro Region, and featured comments by Premier Brian Pallister, Mayor Brian Bowman andPrivate Pension Partner;Reeve Frances Smee from the RM of Rosser. Don StreuberExecutive Chair, Bison Transport Inc.; Martin McGarryPresident and CEO,Considering the people in the room and the genuine goodwill toward the report, there is now a real opportunity for the region toCushman and Wakefield Stevenson;take the right steps towards better cooperation. Michael JackChief Corporate Services Officer, An important message within the report is that there are hundredsCity of Winnipeg;of other metro regions across the globe working collaboratively toLaren BillChair of Treaty Land Entitlement,attract business and investment. If the Winnipeg region isnt takingImplementation Monitoring Committee;a regional approach to attract investment, those dollars will Dr. Annette TrimbeePresident,go elsewhere.University of Winnipeg;The report details economic development opportunities for theJohn WintrupPlanner, region, integrated planning and service sharing. Dr. Murray says, Richard Wintrup and Associates;By developing regional systems around land use planningDayna SpiringPresident and CEO, and infrastructure, shared servicing and regional economicEconomic Development Winnipeg;development, the region stands to benefit from provenMike ScatliffDirector,approaches to increasing service levels to residents while becoming more globally economic competitive. Scatliff and Miller and Murray;Christian KorellOwner and CEO, The entire purpose of a metro region approach is to makeBarnes and Duncan;Manitoba a more attractive place for businesses to invest, buildRon HambleyPresident,their companies, hire employees and pay taxes. This all sounds very positive; however, many jurisdictions will question what theyWinnipeg Construction Association; andwill need to give up with a metro region approach. Are municipalColleen SklarExecutive Director, planning decisions at risk? Are municipal tax revenues at risk? the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.Dr. Murray says it best in the report:10 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'