.' CFIS CANADIAN PllDERATION O' INDml8tDDIT BUSINUL 294 Portage Avenue, Suite 904 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C OB9 June I, 2012 Honourable Steve Ashton Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation 203 Legislative Building 450 Broadway Winnipeg, MB R3C OV8 Dear Minister, As you know, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is a non-partisan. not-for- profit, political action organization that seeks to give independent business a greater voice in determining the laws that govern business and the country. With 109,000 members across Canada, including 4,800 in Manitoba, our members are located in every region of the province, with drversitv in activity that closely parallels that of the overall economy. Most businesses in Canada are small businesses. A thriving small business sector is essential for creating jobs, providing vital goods and services, and supporting local charities. In addition. small businesses add to the ambience, friendliness and culture of our communities. From time to time, members call upon CFIB for help in dealing with specific issues impacting their businesses. Our members north of Arborg have serious concerns over the poor condition of local roadways and the province's unresponsiveness to their request for upgrades. These manufacturing businesses are essential to the growth and vitality of the area. For many years they have created hundreds of jobs, contributed tax revenues to all levels of government, produced goods that are exported all over the world and generated millions to Manitoba's economy. Their owners are community leaders. It is our understanding a group consisting of the Town of Arborg, the Rural Municipality of Bifrost, the Arborg-Bifrost Community Development Corporation and the Okno Business Association has lobbied for a number of years for change. CFIB supports their call for immediate action. We urge the province to listen to their requests for long-term improvements to the roads north of Arborg - specifically, paving the gravel section of PR 326. As you can imagine, our members are frustrated with the challenges presented by unpaved roads. Raw materials transported by truck to their plants arrive covered in dust and/or mud if it has been raining. Finished goods shipped out by truck receive a coat of dust and/or mud on the first few kilometers of their journey around the world. Our members report that there has been an increase in the frequency of their customers' dissatisfaction, and even rejection, of unclean products. Also, current and potential customers visiting their businesses often do not have a positive impression when they must travel on dusty, muddy roads. In addition, the condition of the unpaved roads is a serious safety concern, especially when there have been wet weather conditions. Ruts and greasy conditions quickly develop on this route. Workers travelling to and from their jobs, or travelling to deliver raw materials and finished goods must do so over unsafe roads. Loaded trucks 'find it challenging to drive on soft gravel roads. The Powered by Entrepreneurs. 2 danger is compounded when our members' employees meet the trucks on the roads. Road restrictions during the change of season add another challenge for shipping by truck. Our members have expansion plans to meet the growing demand for their products. However, their message to CFIBis clear: unless the province makes long-term, permanent infrastructure improvements, their expansion may happen outside of Manitoba. The stale of the local roads will be the deciding factor. In the April 18. 2012 Manitoba Budget, Premier Greg Selinger acknowledged the importance of proper infrastructure to our communities by stating, UWeknow that building and improving our roads and bridges is a priority for families and it's essential to a strong and growtng economy. And in this budget we're ensuring there is long-term. stable support to keep building our roads and other strategic infrastructure. In total, Budget 2012 will devote $589 million to renew and improve roads across the province." At the recent Capturing Opportunities 2012 Forum in Brandon, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Ron Kostyshyn presented awards to two of our members from the Arborg area. Peter Dueck of Vidir Machine Inc. received the Outstanding Community Leadership Award for his generous support for community projects. OKNOManufacturing Ltd. received the Economic Development Innovation Award for launching the initiative to pave local gravel roads and working with First Nation communities to provide job training and recruitment. Given the province's commitment to a strong infrastructure system, and the affirmation of the contributions from these businesses to the community, we question the disconnect between the government's announcements and its lack of action to improve the roads north of Arborg. The present situation threatens the competitiveness our members. It is our hope you will recognize the role you can carry out to address these challenges. Your team can make a difference to ensure these employers and community leaders remain in the Arborg area for the long term. Call this project be given high priority Oilthe list of infrastructure projects in 2012- 20137 We believe this would be a win-win situation for the province. 'Thank you for your attention to this issue and we look forward to your response. Sincerely, ~C-·~ janine Carmichael Janice Storozuk Director of Provindal Affairs, Manitoba Business Counsellor CC. Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Hugh McFadyen, Leader of the Offidal Opposition Tom Nevakshonoff, MIA for the Interlake Pat McCallum. Economic Development Officer, Arborg-Blfrost Community Development Corp. Norm Penner, Okno Manufacturing Inc. Abe Reimer, Pro-Fab Industries Inc. Sid Dueck. Vidir Machine Inc. Mayor and Council, Town of Arborg Reeve and Council, Rural Mun1dpality of Bifrost.