Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - May 6, 2025, Winnipeg, Manitoba B5 TUESDAY MAY 6, 2025 ● BUSINESS@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM BUSINESS Manitoba First Fund, PFM Capital invest in ‘well-positioned’ VAW Systems A MANITOBA company building noise-control products is the latest in- vestment site of the Manitoba First Fund. Both the fund (a venture capital or- ganization dispersing $100 million of provincial money) and Regina-based PFM Capital Inc. have funnelled cash into VAW Systems Ltd. “It’s a good example of what Mani- toba First is trying to accomplish,” said Ken Ross, chief executive of fund. “That is, to attract capital to Manitoba.” In 2023, the organization announced it’d direct $15 million towards joint in- vestments with PFM Capital. PFM is Saskatchewan’s largest private equity firm; it counts more than $850 million in assets under management. Histor- ically, it’s placed money in enterprises west of Manitoba. Winnipeg-based VAW Systems will mark PFM’s third investment in the keystone province. Shayne Barrie, PFM director of in- vestments, declined to share how much money the firm tabbed for VAW Sys- tems beyond saying, it’s “significant.” PFM is now co-owner of the manufac- turer, alongside the existing manage- ment team. All senior managers will remain in their roles and there won’t be layoffs, Barrie said. “(VAW Systems is) well-positioned between Canada and the U.S. to serve and support the growth they’re seeing,” Barrie said. “There’s lots of demand in their industry.” The company ships its noise-con- trol products — including mechanical system silencers and panels — from a 108,000-square-foot facility on Inkster Boulevard. It has upwards of 100 em- ployees, Barrie said. The Manitoba First Fund put $15 million in PFM’s Apex IV Investment Fund. VAW Systems will consume one- third, or $5 million, of that money. It’s the first company to receive joint fund- ing from PFM and the MFF through the partnership. VAW Systems is “excited” to partner with PFM Capital, chief executive Dan Sierens said in a news release. PFM has also invested in All-Fab Building Components and Sexton Family of Companies, both based in Manitoba. The Manitoba First Fund has com- mitted $75 million to various projects, leaving one-quarter of its cash un- touched for now. The Progressive Conservatives began the Manitoba First Fund under then-premier Heather Stefanson in 2022. gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com GABRIELLE PICHÉ Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce names first executive director on strength of federal grant ‘Main goal is to engage people again’ T HE Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce has selected Jenny Steinke-Magnus as its first exec- utive director. Steinke-Magnus brings more than 15 years of experience in non-profit ad- ministration, communications, event management and human resources to the role. She started April 7; the cham- ber announced the appointment on so- cial media last week. “I’m thrilled,” said Steinke-Mag- nus, 40, who identifies as a member of the LGBTTQ+ community. “It kind of brings together many aspects of my identity and my past job skills and ex- perience.” Born and raised in Winnipeg, Steinke-Magnus joined the chamber after 5½ years as executive director at the Manitoba Choral Association. Pri- or to that, she worked for two years as executive director for Prairie Voices Inc. Steinke-Magnus holds a master of arts in French studies from Simon Fra- ser University in Vancouver, and re- cently completed a non-profit manage- ment certificate from Calgary’s Mount Royal University. She serves as chair- person of Creative Manitoba. The chamber started in 1988 as the Lambda Business and Professional Club of Winnipeg, taking its name from the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet — lambda — which was first adopted as a symbol for the Gay Activists Alliance in New York in the early 1970s. Until now, the organization has been run by volunteers. It has about 100 members and struggled to get back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, the chamber received a $300,000 grant from the federal De- partment of Small Business, through its 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Pro- gram. The grant allowed the organization to create two full-time roles: executive director and program co-ordinator. (Cec Lopez was hired to fill the latter position last month.) Steinke-Magnus said she is looking forward to creating new programs in the coming months, including a mentor- ship program that will allow members to develop their business skills. Other priorities include updating the organ- ization’s branding, planning events and liaising with the LGBTTQ+ business community. “The main goal is to engage people again and really grow the chamber,” Steinke-Magnus said, adding it’s an inclusive organization meant for busi- nesses, individuals and allies. “There’s a lot that we could do and a lot of potential, and we’re really, really excited. We know there’s a lot of people out there — we just need to get the word out and let people know who we are.” The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is also excited about Steinke-Magnus’ appointment, said Loren Remillard, president and CEO. “I think this is good news for our busi- ness community, for the (LGBTTQ+) community and all Winnipeggers,” he said. “The more we work together col- laboratively as partners, the stronger our community will be.” The two chambers have always had a good relationship, but it has “waxed and waned” depending on the LGBT* chamber’s volunteer leadership, Re- millard said. He believes a paid, full-time execu- tive director will only make the cham- ber — and its connection to the Winni- peg chamber — stronger. “We look forward to working with the new CEO, so that we can talk on a day- to-day basis about how we can work together more effectively to the benefit of both organizations,” Remillard said. Kerry Porter, chairperson of Mani- toba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, was not available for comment before print deadline. In February, she called the funding that allowed for the two staff hirings “a game-changer” for the organization. The chamber will host “Pride on Tap: a 2SLGBTQ+ Mixer” on May 27 at Devil May Care Brewing Co. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members, and will be available at mb-lgbt.biz in the coming days. “We want to encourage everyone to come out,” Steinke-Magnus said of the after-work event, which coincides with Pride Week. “We would love to have people come out to that and hear about all the great things we’re going to be doing in the coming months.” aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca AARON EPP Consular Corps of Manitoba expands leadership team with eye on trade AS MANITOBA businesses look to ex- port beyond the United States, a volun- teer group acting as connective tissue between countries is ramping up activ- ity. The Consular Corps of Manitoba re- cently expanded its leadership team and is preparing for a greater role in economic development. “There are significant opportunities for Manitoba, and Canada, to do more trade,” said Philip Houde, the Consular Corps’ new chair. “A lot of people want to do business with us.” Thirty-two countries have honorary (volunteer) or professional consuls in Manitoba. Their mandates vary: some stick to diplomatic assignments like answering questions about visas and travel; others have an eye on furthering trade within the province. Houde was tapped to become Moroc- co’s honorary consul two years ago. He already had political connections; pre- viously, he’d been Tory premier Brian Pallister’s chief of staff. The Consular Corps of Manitoba announced Monday that Houde would take the leadership reins from Barry Rempel, honorary consul for South Korea (and former president of the Winnipeg Airports Authority). The organization’s role of secre- tary-treasurer has been split into two — a secretary and a treasurer — as members expect to become more active in trade. “Manitoba is as important as ever,” Houde said. “It’s a matter of how quick- ly can our government and … our in- dustry respond.” Take Morocco: the country has a strong desire to boost trade with Mani- toba, especially in agriculture stability, Houde said. The University of Manitoba inked a deal with Morocco’s University Mohammed VI Polytechnic two years ago to collaboratively research agricul- ture, green energy and other fields of mutual interest. Houde, who acts as a Moroccan gov- ernment representative, said the North African country views Canada as a re- liable trading partner. “I think you’re going to see more Morocco … in Manitoba,” Houde said. “You’re going to see that from other na- tions as well.” He’s meeting with the Business Coun- cil of Manitoba and other business-fa- cing organizations next week to discuss honorary consuls’ roles in addressing current “economic challenges.” “Any time you have the ability to dir- ectly introduce people and create rela- tionships… that’s a massive positive,” said Bram Strain, the Business Coun- cil’s chief executive. Honorary consuls are “well-connect- ed.” They’re often involved when a for- eign ambassador, company or trade rep- resentative visits Manitoba, Strain said. Such visits are occurring more fre- quently, he added. Last month, a dele- gation of 19 European ambassadors visited Manitoba with an eye on trade. Many of Canada’s trade agreements have been “underutilized,” said Rempel. “In a time where the global trade en- vironment is somewhat unsettled, (these agreements) give us an instant oppor- tunity, if we want to move on them.” He’s clocked more interest to do busi- ness with South Korea. The East Asian country needs protein, steel and alum- inum — all found in Manitoba. Rempel has been busy making con- nections. Recently, it meant linking Manitoba Trade Minister Jamie Moses with a consul general. A South Korean company wanting to expand into Canada may contact their country’s ministry of foreign affairs. The ministry then taps Rempel to find the right contact. During his time as chair, Rempel oversaw bylaw changes allowing for more consul participation in econom- ic development, including being more public about the organization’s work. The Consular Corps of Manitoba began in 1960. Rempel chose to step away from his role as chair after two years, citing a desire for new leadership. “We’ve got a good executive team now to take us through the next couple of years.” Not all consul-deploying countries will want to further Manitoba trade relations. Countries are more enthusi- astic if they have existing trade agree- ments with Canada, Rempel said. The honorary consuls of Spain and the United Kingdom haven’t yet seen a significant increase in trade talks, though both regions have signalled a desire for more business opportunities in Manitoba. “We always try to keep our eyes and ears open,” said Dwight MacAulay, honorary consul for the U.K. MacAulay, the province’s former chief of protocol, has been named vice- chair of the Consular Corps. “We’re all trying to work and give some thought as to how we might di- versify the economy of Manitoba,” he said, reflecting on the consuls. Delegations from Morocco and Trini- dad and Tobago are possibilities, their Manitoba consuls affirmed. “The tariffs the U.S. government put in place will certainly impact the trading relations between Trinidad and the U.S.,” said Kris Ramchandar, the Caribbean country’s honorary consul. Trinidad officials may look to Mani- toba for food imports, among other items, he continued. He’s mainly a diplomatic liaison, providing resource materials for Trinidadian diaspora. Visa-related questions have increased lately, he added. gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com GABRIELLE PICHÉ MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS ‘There’s a lot that we could do and a lot of potential ... we just need to get the word out and let people know who we are,’ says Jenny Steinke-Magnus. SUPPLIED Philip Houde, honorary consul for Morocco and new chair of the Consular Corps of Manitoba ;