Manitoba falls to last place in national business rankings under NDP policies

Manitoba has dropped to the bottom of national business rankings, raising concerns about the province’s economic future under the NDP government. Critics argue that the rollback of regulatory accountability is discouraging business growth and investment.

Midland MLA Lauren Stone, the PC Critic for Finance, slammed the NDP for abandoning red-tape reduction initiatives that were designed to support entrepreneurs and job creators.

“The NDP’s decision to abandon red-tape reduction measures like the one-for-one rule is sending a clear message to job creators that Manitoba is closed for business,” said Stone. 

“The former PC government worked hard to reduce barriers, encourage investment, and support small businesses. Now, the NDP are reversing that progress and making it even harder for small businesses to survive.”

Between 2016 and 2023, Manitoba successfully cut its regulatory burden by 11.4%, eliminating over 106,750 unnecessary rules, according to data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). However, the passage of Bill 16, which repealed the requirement to remove outdated regulations whenever new ones were introduced, has led to concerns about growing bureaucratic obstacles for businesses.

In CFIB’s latest Red Tape Report, Manitoba received a failing grade due to the NDP’s failure to prioritize reducing regulatory burdens. The organization also reported that regulatory costs in the province had surged to $1.57 billion in 2024. Additionally, two in three business owners surveyed said they would not recommend entrepreneurship to the next generation due to excessive red tape.

Adding to economic concerns, Manitoba ranks second last among provinces for planned energy, mining, and forestry investments over the next decade. The provincial unemployment rate has also risen sharply, jumping from 4% to 6.2% in 2024.

“Our economy is weakening, investment is leaving, and job losses are piling up. Yet the NDP’s only response is to impose more regulations and drive businesses out of Manitoba,” said Stone. 

“When businesses struggle, workers suffer. The NDP need to stop attacking job creators before even more Manitobans lose their jobs.”

As business groups and industry leaders continue to raise alarms over the province’s declining economic performance, pressure is mounting on the NDP government to reconsider its regulatory policies and provide a more business-friendly environment in Manitoba.