\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t However, the shape of such an agency \u2014 and how it will affect existing entities \u2014 hasn\u2019t yet been determined, Davidson said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no intent to say, at this point, \u2018OK, we\u2019re taking over this organization,\u2019\u201d he said on Thursday. \u201cThis needs to be done collaboratively.\u201d<\/p>\n Business leaders have asked for a one-stop-shop for investors for years.<\/p>\n Economic development groups dot the province. It can create a fragmented experience for investors, taking away from Manitoba\u2019s competitiveness as it fights for business globally, some in the private sector have argued.<\/p>\n \u201cI view this as almost a call to service,\u201d said Davidson, 56.<\/p>\n He\u2019s planning to liaise with Indigenous groups, the private sector and existing economic development agencies, both urban and rural.<\/p>\n The talks will determine what a provincewide agency will provide and how it will unroll, Davidson said.<\/p>\n The agency will assist in government program navigation and moving projects from inquiry to implementation, according to a provincial government news release. Connecting with \u201cpartners\u201d and advocating for Manitoba abroad are also part of the package.<\/p>\n More details should appear over the next year, Davidson said.<\/p>\n The agency will interact with Manitoba\u2019s new trade offices, Business Minister Jamie Moses said. Manitoba is creating sites in Europe, Mexico and India, in addition to its Washington, D.C., branch.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes us more competitive in a global landscape,\u201d Moses said of the new agency. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what we need, now more than ever in Manitoba.\u201d<\/p>\n His department is working on a support plan for businesses hit by United States tariffs. Recent trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. broke down last week.<\/p>\n The province tapped Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism because it wants to \u201cleverage what they have,\u201d Moses said.<\/p>\n The organization attracts companies and events to Winnipeg, and it works on business retention. It supported the establishment and expansion of 68 companies between 2016 and 2025 and drew 792 events to the city, according to WEDT.<\/p>\n Davidson will oversee the 57-person team.<\/p>\n He\u2019ll stay on several boards and councils, including as chair of Rural Manitoba Economic Development and as a member of the premier\u2019s business and jobs council.<\/p>\n \u201cHe brings incredible experience from across the province,\u201d said Amanda Macdonald, Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism\u2019s chief operating officer. \u201cHe really understands businesses, he really understands tourism and he understands economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n The leadership role has been open since Ryan Kuffner, the former president, left in June. Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism will continue its regular operations while tackling its larger mandate.<\/p>\n The Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corp., Economic Development Brandon and CDEM expressed support for a province-wide entity.<\/p>\n \u201c(For somebody) looking at the province as a place to invest, it\u2019s really helpful to have a very clear pathway to proceed through,\u201d said Margot Cathcart, chief executive of Rural Manitoba Economic Development.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unlikely rural economic development branches will disappear under the new system, added Gerald Cathcart, director of economic development for Economic Development Brandon (and Margot\u2019s husband): \u201cYou\u2019re \u2026 the subject matter experts on your community.\u201d<\/p>\n He attended Hanover Messe, one of the world\u2019s largest trade fairs, earlier this year. There was a Manitoba team at the event in Germany, but the presence \u201ccould be expanded,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Manitoba counted six global investment projects<\/a> last year \u2014 behind provinces including Saskatchewan (13), Alberta (68) and Ontario (278).<\/p>\n Ontario has a single-window economic development agency and multiple trade offices abroad.<\/p>\n Predictable, long-term and increased funding of economic development groups is needed to boost competitiveness, Cathcart said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge \u2026 is that it\u2019s a global market,\u201d he said. \u201cA company that visited Brandon about a year ago got (on) the airplane in Winnipeg and went to Argentina.\u201d<\/p>\n Some rural development groups the Free Press contacted awaited more details about the new agency. The Manitoba M\u00e9tis Federation wasn\u2019t involved in the initial discussions \u2014 and an offer now is too late, said president David Chartrand.<\/p>\n The provincial government worked with a transition advisory council, made up of entrepreneurs, in the year leading up to Thursday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \u201cNot to be included is \u2026 insulting to me,\u201d Chartrand said. \u201cIt\u2019s not like they don\u2019t hear we\u2019re part of the economic vision of trying to help in our province.<\/p>\n \u201cThey never invited me to the dance, so why am I going to go dance now?\u201d<\/p>\n Davidson said he aims for the new agency to create job and industry growth in Manitoba, ultimately keeping young people in the province.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham shared his support for WEDT\u2019s expanded mandate in a news release.<\/p>\n gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"MIKE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4512634_web1_260324-budget-2026-1139.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMIKE DEAL \/ FREE PRESS FILES
\nChuck Davidson is leaving his role as president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.<\/p>\n![\"Sign](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/newslettericons-business.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Gabrielle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gabrielle-piche-mug.jpg\")
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Reporter
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