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The Creating Opportunities Committee consisted of three private
citizens and a MLA.
Susan Proven
Susan lives northwest of Minnedosa and owns Fairmont Bed
and Breakfast. She markets a variety of home grown processed
products as well as lamb directly to consumers. She is also a member
of the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council.
Paul Gregory
Paul is from Fisher Branch where he operates Interlake Forage Seeds.
The family operation has diversified into honey production,
leafcutter bees, forage and native seed crops. They process over
twenty species of crops for both the organic and conventional seed
trade.
Gaye Lenderbeck
Gaye is from Roblin where she and her husband Don farm
2,000 acres of grain and pasture land in addition to 320 head
commercial cow/calf operation. Gaye is a Director of Rancher’s
Choice Beef Co-op, Past Chair of the Shell River Water Quality Board
and was a Municipal Councillor for the R.M. of Shell River.
Tom Nevakshonoff
Tom is the MLA for the Interlake and lives in Poplarfield. Tom is
currently president of a family owned lodge and fishing camp in Flin
Flon. His knowledge of tourism and concerns for natural resources
bring new ideas and perspectives to the issues facing Manitobans.
From January to March 2006 the Creating Opportunities Committee
held consultations in 10 rural and northern Manitoba communities.
They also discussed adding value to the rural and northern economies
with economic development practitioners and industry
representatives; and received written submissions on relevant
topics.
We heard about many current and future initiatives planned, that are
being driven by private citizens, communities, clubs, industries,
chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and all
three levels of government. We heard stories of success and
frustration, but all showed an undertone of optimism. Most
importantly, we saw that Manitobans were eager to be heard and
participate in building our province’s future.
In reviewing the value-added economic opportunities identified
during the consultations, six themes emerged:
- alternative energy
- tourism
- agriculture
- natural resources
- industry – services and manufacturing
- Aboriginal and northern
At the same time, the committee noted what Manitobans felt were
barriers to the realisation of these opportunities. These challenges
fell under five general themes:
- financial
- human resources
- community capacity
- infrastructure
- regulations
This report has been divided into sections that focus on each of the
themes. An overview of each opportunity is presented, followed by a
list of challenges that were identified by participants and a set of
recommendations. The recommendations are intended as general
guidelines to promote the opportunity and reduce or remove barriers.
Many of the recommendations will continue to require the active
participation of governments, communities, industries and/or private
citizens.
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