Tourism Winnipeg

All businesses in Manitoba know they must be competitive to survive but a growing number of them are realizing that every operator can benefit from a rising tide. That's why when WestJet was asked to get on board YES! Winnipeg's Real Impact campaign, Andy Gibbons said the Calgary-based airline immediately wanted to support. "We are the largest airline at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and the only one to serve western Manitoba with service to Brandon. We felt it was important to be connected to the community, where our investments are most meaningful," said Gibbons, Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs at WestJet. The goal of Real Impact is to get as many companies in the province as possible pulling in the same direction to create jobs, attract capital investment and grow the GDP. When the COVID-19 pandemic eventually subsides, air access is going to be one of the biggest issues facing the Manitoba capital. "As the number one airline, the recovery of our service to pre-pandemic levels is a major focus for us," he said. The third private sector investment campaign for YES! Winnipeg kicked off in February 2021. Ryan Kuffner, leader of the YES! Winnipeg team and Vice President of Sales & Business Development at Economic Development Winnipeg, said its group of businesses and business leaders believe strongly in the economic future of the city. "They recognize that nothing is given to Winnipeg. If we want to have the kind of city we believe we can have from an economic perspective and if we believe it's a great place to live, work and play, it's up to us as a community to step up and make it happen… and they have," he said. "It's clear that businesses recognize our economy needs to recover and we all have a role to play in charting that course," he said. The money raised will be put towards the operating expenses of the YES! Winnipeg team and the work it does to facilitate the growth of existing businesses in the city and attract others from across the country and around the world. The YES! Winnipeg pitch includes Winnipeg's many competitive advantages, including affordable power from Manitoba Hydro, its central location in the middle of North America and the cluster of transportation and logistics companies that can facilitate the movement of cargo in a world that relies increasingly on supply chains. There are also tax benefits. For example, Manitoba has the second most competitive Interactive Digital Media tax credit in Canada in support of the production and development of video games and a leading tax credit for the film industry, which is why various film crews work in Winnipeg year-round. Real Impact Co-Chairs Brad Peacock, President & Chief Investment Officer at The Megill-Stephenson Company, and Andrew Stibbard, Regional Managing Partner at MNP, were highly motivated to make the campaign a success. Peacock said the more companies that get on board, the bigger the impact the campaign will have on the city. "That's what makes this community special. We support each other and lend a hand," he said. Campaign 2025 12 THE WINNIPEG INVESTOR CAMPAIGN 2025

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