Chamber could provide city with vision, energy

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce, originally known as the Brandon Board of Trade, has existed since 1983. The Brandon Sun was a founding member then and, more than a century later, continues to be a member today.

Given that longstanding relationship, we welcome the appointment of IntriTech Digital Marketing CEO Emilio Brown as the chamber’s new president. He replaces outgoing president Jennifer Ludwig, who will remain as the president of Super Thrifty Drugs Canada.

Brown’s appointment is a positive reflection of the growing diversity and inclusiveness of Brandon’s business community, and of our city generally. He emigrated from Jamaica to Canada in 2014, founded his company in 2017 and serves as co-chair of the Westman Jamaican Community.

That background lends extra credibility to his commitment to foster an inclusive business community, which is reflected in his view that “When we bring more perspectives to the table, we make better decisions, we uncover opportunities that we may otherwise miss, we strengthen our collaboration, we build solutions that better reflect the realities that we are facing here in Brandon.”

We agree. The nature and composition of the city’s business community is rapidly evolving, with a growing number of people from all over the world choosing to work and/or start businesses here in Brandon. They each bring valuable perspectives, knowledge and experiences that will help to strengthen our local economy and unite the city’s growing cultural mosaic. That trend, if successful, has the potential to create a business environment in Brandon that is unique throughout all of Western Canada.

In his remarks to chamber members on Thursday, Brown said that the organization’s goal is not to react to change, but rather to position the city and region as a business community that is “forward thinking, adaptable and ready for the future.” Those are reassuring words during uncertain economic times, but we encourage Brown to set his sights toward restoring the chamber to the leadership position it held for so much of Brandon’s history.

For more than a century, the chamber was an important and influential driver of growth and prosperity in Brandon and throughout Westman. It provided thoughtful guidance to our leaders during turbulent times and was an effective driver of economic growth. For example, chamber leaders played a critical role in convincing Maple Leaf to come to Brandon, in having air service return to Brandon and in the successful effort to protect CFB Shilo from closure.

The chamber was also an effective voice on a range of legislative issues at all three levels of government. Its advocacy on economic and taxation issues in particular carried weight with elected officials, and chamber members often served as city councillors, as mayor or MLAs.

That has changed in recent years, however. The chamber has devolved into what some regard as a lunch club with networking opportunities. It coddles politicians who speak at its luncheons, instead of challenging them on their policies and actions. It is seldom a driver of government policy and fewer chamber members seek elected office these days.

Like many Canadian cities, Brandon is approaching a challenging crossroads. Property taxes and water rates are soaring, making it increasingly difficult for Brandonites to remain in their homes. The city’s infrastructure is crumbling, with no solution in sight. Our downtown, the heart of our business community for a century, is struggling to survive. Economic growth opportunities continue to pass us by.

Our best and brightest continue to leave the city, never to return. We are desperately short of doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Too few Brandonites earn high wages, while too many earn low wages — an untenable situation during an affordability crisis.

If there was ever time when Brandon needed strong, informed and committed leadership from its business community, now is that time. As a longtime chamber member, and as Brandonites, we urge Brown and his chamber team to work toward providing the vision and energy our city requires.