Collective response can help stop out-migration

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/02/2025 (254 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I appreciate the attention given to my recent presentation at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, as well as the article (“City at out-migration ‘tipping point,’” Feb. 21) and editorial (“Brandon at a tipping point,” Feb. 22) that followed. Out-migration is indeed a critical issue, and I’m encouraged to see a conversation emerging about how we can create the conditions for young people to stay and thrive in Brandon.

While your editorial rightly concludes that we must do more to retain talent, some of the reasoning behind it warrants further discussion.

First, Brandon’s population is not in decline — it is growing. As The Brandon Sun has reported on multiple occasions, our city saw population increases between 2016 and 2021, with further growth expected in the latest census forecasts. This growth is largely driven by immigration.

However, at the same time as many people choose to move here, some others decide to move elsewhere. This is out-migration, and it remains a real challenge.

The numbers I presented to the Chamber illustrate the scale and significance of this issue — but are not the sole takeaway. Our community must have a broader discussion about the factors driving out-migration and, more importantly, our opportunities to address it. The Finding Your Place report (published in September 2024) amplifies the voices of young people themselves — those surveyed and interviewed about why they leave and, crucially, what might compel them to stay.

The report highlights three key reasons young people cite for leaving: either to pursue post-secondary education not available in this community, or due to two persistent but misleading narratives — that career growth requires leaving and that Brandon lacks diverse opportunities for work and leisure. These narratives present both a challenge and an opportunity. As I shared with the more than 300 attendees at the Chamber event, our response must be twofold.

To the almost 100 young professionals in the room, I emphasized that there is a future for them in Brandon. Career growth and advancement opportunities exist, and the quality of life here is often more affordable and balanced than in larger centres.

The grass may look greener elsewhere, but as the saying goes, grass flourishes wherever it is watered. If you want a future in Brandon, you can grow one.

To business and government leaders, I urged action. Retention isn’t just about job openings — it requires early labour market attachment, clear career pathways, mentorship and competitive compensation, including flexibility.

But beyond employment, young people want to love where they live. That means investing in arts, culture, entertainment, transit and public spaces — elements that make Brandon a vibrant, modern and welcoming city.

Finally, connection is key. Young professionals don’t yet have strong networks forged from close relationships, which take years to develop. But they do benefit from amassing a large number of “weak ties”— casual but crucial connections that open doors to opportunities. We all have a role to play in fostering these links, whether through mentorship, referrals or simply forwarding a job posting.

Today, reach out to a young person in your life. Introduce them to someone, share an opportunity, or simply listen. Small actions like these help build a future worth staying for.

Out-migration is a challenge that requires a collective response from all of us: individuals, institutions, and all levels of government. The editorial asks: Are we doing enough to retain young people? My answer is that we can — and must — do more.

This is a pressing challenge. When young people look elsewhere for their futures, we are losing some of our most ambitious and energetic citizens.

But the good news is we also have a timely opportunity to act, and Brandon is uniquely positioned to tip the scales in our favour. We are large enough to drive change and small enough to bring the right people to the table to make it happen. We have everything that’s needed. We now need to act.

I look forward to continuing this conversation.

CORA DUPUIS

Co-operative Education co-ordinator

Brandon University