Preamble: In Manitoba, as elsewhere, a variety of factors make knowledge-based growth possible: highly skilled labour, colleges and universities, business networks and infrastructure. Some communities are leveraging these assets to transform their economies, attract investment, create new jobs and encourage settlement in rural areas, as well as to retain young people in those regions by providing heretofore non-existent employment opportunities based on the proliferation of Information Technology Centres (ITC).

Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba act on the acknowledged need to initiate a feasibility study/business plan development for the establishment of a wireless portal for Rural Manitoba with the goal to develop a comprehensive study for the following:

a) Needs assessment: consult with community leaders, government organizations, economic development organizations and other interested parties

b) Opportunity evaluation: identify the most likely areas of gain for the development and sustainability of the portal

c) Identification of implementation alternatives: consider the costs of practical implementation and the best ways to take advantage of existing infrastructure and expertise

d) Development of options: develop alternative practical plans for implementation

e) Identification of benefits:  identify benefits that flow to partners, stakeholders and users

f) Assessment of current capacity:  examine current internet infrastructure in target communities, and current capacity of communities to implement and access a wireless portal

g) Literature review:  identify information resources of potential value to the establishment and sustainability of a wireless portal and build a database of such information resources

h) Analysis of findings:  considering the above areas for study, advise as to the potential to develop and sustain a wireless portal

 Resolution Report:

MCC Advocacy (additions since last report are in italics):

May 21, 2008: An MCC ‘Inside the Chamber’ Web Story entitled “IT HAPPENED AT THE AGM: PART 3 – MCC Announces Resolutions For 2008-2009″ provided access to each and every Resolution passed at the AGM. Notice of this story was circulated through the MCC e-Omnibus which is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 4, 2008: For the first time ever the MCC made available its handbook on ‘Policies & Resolutions’ which contains Resolutions in one handy format. An MCC ‘Inside the Chamber’ Web Story entitled “MCC Releases Policy Handbook” announced this initiative. Notice of this story was circulated through the MCC e-Omnibus which is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 6, 2008: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• Minister of Science, Technology, Energy & Mines
• Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives  

June 24, 2008: Wrote to the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities, seeking their support in relation to this matter.

June 24, 2008: Wrote to the Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba Municipalities, seeking their support in relation to this matter.

July 4, 2008: Meet with the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines. The Government agrees with the principle behind this Resolution and is going to be seeking tenders for adding connectivity in all rural communities. It is hoped that this connectivity will be in place by July 2009.

July 11, 2008: Wrote to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, seeking their support in relation to this matter.

September 29, 2008: Wrote to the sponsoring chambering in relation to this matter.

October 20, 2008: The 2008 third quarter edition of the Focus mentioned this Resolution in its report on the MCC AGM. The Focus magazine goes out to 10,000 businesses and community leaders across Manitoba.

February 26, 2009: This Resolution was featured in the MCC’s Pre-Budget submission to the Government of Manitoba. The submission was posted on the MCC website and was circulated through the MCC e-Omnibus which is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

Developments (additions since last report are in italics):

July 11, 2008: The Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines wrote to the MCC on this issue. That correspondence contained the following:

The need for levelling the playing field for our rural and Northern residents has been recognized and is being addressed at this time.

Science, Technology, Energy & Mines (STEM) is leading an initiative to ensure broadband communications is available in our rural and Northern communities.

In October 2007, the Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) directed STEM to return with an update on plans to meet Manitoba’s commitment, as set out in the March 20006 Budget, to work: 

‘in partnership with the federal government and private sector to extend broadband access to 60 remote and Aboriginal communities over the next two years.’

The objectives of the Manitoba Network Taskforce are:

• To reduce the unit cost of network services for public sector organizations.
• To obtain additional network capacity (i.e. bandwidth) to support growing program requirements.
• To introduce new technologies and services.
• To develop a sustainable governance model for providing services to government and public sector.
• To promote access to affordable broadband services for residents and businesses in underserved areas of the province.”

 Some of the benefits expected from this initiative include:

• Economic Development

- Provides opportunities for greater competitive potential for businesses.

- Local community based service providers become part of the Manitoba Network.

• Community Access

- Faster, more efficient and affordable access to the Internet for rural and remote communities.

- Ensures broadband infrastructure is pushed into rural and northern communities faster than if left to market forces.

- Retention of community’s human resources.

• Accessible Government

- Supports on-line delivery of government services.  

• Improved Healthcare

- Enable and support the delivery of new clinical applications.

• Improved Education

- Provides equitable access for all schools, learning centres and post-secondary institutions in Manitoba.

In July 2007, STEM received approval in principle to create the ‘Manitoba Network’.

A Task Force was created to provide focus and leadership in the creation of the Manitoba Network. Specifically:

• Communications
• Requirements gathering – business/technical
• Service design/specifications
• Service portfolio/value propositions
• Negotiate agreements.

A steering committee was established to oversee strategic direction and provide approvals.

July 31, 2008: The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives wrote to the MCC on this issue. The Minister’s correspondence included the following:

I agree this is an issue that is important to the growth and success of rural communities and I will raise it with my colleague, Honourable Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines.  

Current Status (additions since last report are in italics):

January 29, 2009: The MCC continues to dialogue with the sponsoring chamber on how to best to move this matter forward.