Manitoba election: Pallister pitches creation of business advisory team

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives intend to create an advisory team of "top business leaders" to promote investment and trade in the province, if they're elected in April.

"Jobs and growth are the top priorities of Manitobans. Under a Progressive Conservative government, they will be the top priorities of the premier," party leader Brian Pallister told the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday morning.

His premier's advisory team would have as many as a dozen members and focus on creating jobs and making sure government programs are "targeted and effective," Pallister said.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Manitoba would each have the opportunity to propose representation on the team.

"After 17 years of inaction by the Selinger NDP, a team approach with government and business working hand in hand to create new jobs is long overdue," Pallister said, adding he's the only political leader who has experience creating a payroll for employees, so he understands how business works.