Government focuses on Jobs for Manitobans

January 13, 2012

NEW CABINET COMMITTEE TO FOCUS ON JOBS, SERVICES FOR FAMILIES

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Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet will Co-ordinate Government's Plans to Meet the Priorities of Manitobans: Selinger

Premier Greg Selinger said today he will lead a newly created committee of cabinet ministers, which will co-ordinate major economic and policy initiatives.
“Our priorities are those of Manitoba families:  a growing economy with jobs and opportunities, and strong services such as health, education and crime prevention.  The Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet is one way our government will focus on meeting those goals.”
In addition to Selinger, the committee is made up of Finance Minister Stan Struthers, Health Minister Theresa Oswald, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh, Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson, as well as a rotating member of the government caucus.
The premier said the committee will focus on:

•     education and economic development for future job creation,
•     efficient delivery of strong services for families,
•     new opportunities for rural and northern communities, and
•     future infrastructure and community development.

The committee will work closely with provincial departments to carry out its mandate, said Selinger who announced Anna Rothney will serve as secretary of the new committee, leading a small team of existing government support staff.  Rothney, an economist, was most recently the associate secretary to the Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet.  She has held senior positions in the executive council and Treasury Board secretariat.
“These are challenging economic times, across Canada and around the world,” said the premier.  “This committee is an important new tool to help us work together with communities, businesses and other levels of government to face the challenges ahead of us and deliver on the priorities of Manitobans.”

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