THE BRANDON SUN • WESTMAN BUSINESS • OCTOBER 24, 2026
8 Agricultural producers face a different but related problem — uncertainty about con- tinued access to the U.S. market. For producers already in the middle of an agricultural season, Brown said, finding an- other market is not something that can hap- pen overnight. Yet there are bright spots. One is the growing willingness of Canadi- ans to support domestic businesses. Voss said the trade dispute has gener- ated a sense of domestic pride, with some consumers choosing to shop locally and ac- cepting slightly higher prices to keep money within Canada. He sees that as a potentially lasting benefit. “There’s a fair bit of a strong unity that I think is coming out of this,” Voss said. Another opportunity is diversification. Voss pointed to Westman businesses that are developing markets outside the United States, particularly in Asia. He said companies such as HyLife, which exports pork to Asia, demonstrate how ex- panded international markets can have ben- efits beyond the individual company. If demand grows for Manitoba pork, grain and other agricultural products, the benefits can circulate through farmers, suppliers and other businesses in Westman. Voss also pointed to Canada Packers as an example of a Brandon business that can ben- efit from selling into other markets. The broader lesson, he said, is that West- man may emerge from the trade dispute with
preneurial skills and new businesses to the community. Businesses are appreciative of government support already offered, particularly targeted grants for companies directly affected by tar- iffs, the chamber president said. He cautioned, however, against relying too heavily on loans and tax deferrals, arguing that debt can create another burden for busi- nesses once a crisis has passed. The Chamber also sees value in encourag- ing consumers to buy locally. For Voss, the long-term hope is that West- man and Canada can emerge from the cur- rent period more resilient and more diver- sified while maintaining a healthy trading relationship with the United States. “The good news” coming from the situa- tion, he said, is the willingness of Canadians to support each other. The trade relationship may eventually re- turn to normal. But if Westman businesses use the dis- ruption to build stronger local connections and find new markets, Voss said the region could emerge better positioned for whatever comes next. “If we can be resilient and competitive and efficient and build a strong economy during this time,” he said, “then we’re go- ing to be even more prosperous when we come out of it.” ■
If we can be resilient and competitive and efficient and build a strong economy during this time, then we’re going to be even more prosperous when we come out of it.”
— BEN VOSS, PRESIDENT, MAZER GROUP
a more diversified economy. The Brandon Chamber sees another major bright spot closer to home: CFB Shilo. Brown said the military base already contributes more than $100 million an- nually to the local economy and employs about 1,800 people. Federal investment in housing, infrastruc- ture and modernization is expected to gen-
erate hundreds of millions of dollars in con- struction and related activity, he said. “The planned arrival of about 1,000 mili- tary personnel and their families could pro- vide another boost to Brandon businesses by adding customers and workers to the local economy,” he said. Brown said military spouses and other family members could also bring entre-
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