CCI's 2027 Pre-Budget Recommendations for the Manitoba Government

Manitoba’s next stage of economic growth depends in part on what happens to the ideas developed here. Helping local companies own and commercialize intellectual property can turn research strengths in agriculture, bioscience, energy and health technology into lasting economic value.

Budget 2027 can support that work by connecting commercialization policy with public purchasing and workforce development. Clearer procurement pathways would help Manitoba companies bring proven solutions into public services, particularly health care. Training programs shaped by local employers’ needs would help growing businesses find the specialized talent they require.

Artificial intelligence (AI) presents another opportunity to strengthen Manitoba’s economy and improve government services. Capturing those benefits requires policies that protect Manitobans’ data, support domestic ownership and give local companies access to the computing infrastructure they need to compete.

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is putting forward four recommendations for Budget 2027 to help Manitoba grow homegrown companies and retain more of the wealth their ideas create:

1. Allow more Manitoba firms to commercialize their ideas through a Provincial Intellectual Property Framework.
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2. Build domestic economic value through updated provincial procurement policies.
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3. Train and retain the skilled employees of tomorrow through targeted local innovation jobs programming.
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4. Build local economic value in the AI economy and protect Manitobans’ data through updated data and data centre policies.

About the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada’s business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada’s fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity. Learn more at canadianinnovators.org.