Manitoba election: Pallister pitches creation of business advisory team

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives intend to create anadvisory 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 Chamberof Commerce on Wednesday morning.

Hispremier's advisory team would have as many as a dozenmembers and focus on creating jobs and making sure government programs are "targeted andeffective," 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 theSelingerNDP, 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 leaderwho has experiencecreatinga payroll for employees, so heunderstands howbusiness works.