Manufacturing and Agriculture Hit Hardest by Tariffs in Rural Manitoba

Tariff Concerns Front and Centre During Visit from Manitoba Chambers President

Chuck Davidson, CAO and President of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, made a recent stop in Neepawa to meet with members of the Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce, addressing concerns around the impact of recent tariffs.

While these issues are being felt across the country, the meeting focused on the local perspective—insight that was also gathered through a recent tariff impact survey conducted by Neepawa’s Economic Development Officer (EDO). Unlike the eastern part of the province, where manufacturing tends to dominate, the agricultural sector in this region appears to be taking the hardest hit.

A big part of the challenge, Davidson noted, is the uncertainty that businesses are facing. “While businesses are doing their best to be proactive, it’s tough when the landscape is constantly shifting,” he said. Local businesses are looking at ways to adjust supply chains and explore new markets, though accessing those markets is complicated. Manitoba’s northern port at Churchill, for instance, would require major investment to become a viable shipping hub.

One solution gaining traction is breaking down interprovincial trade barriers. Several premiers have already introduced legislation to tackle this, and the topic is expected to be front and centre during the upcoming federal election.

“There is a political appetite to go down this path,” said Davidson. “This is one of the responses that’s fully within our control. If we can’t get it right now—when our closest neighbour has taken unjustified action against us—we’re never going to get it right. Now is a pivotal time for Canada to get our act together, take control of our own economy, look to new markets, and make it easier to do business within our own country.”

Also on today’s show: We get an update from the local Habitat for Humanity chapter about their upcoming community meeting and the exciting announcement of the recipient family for the organization’s first build in Neepawa.

Plus, we speak with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine about the veterinarian shortage in Canada—and their role in training new vets to serve rural communities like Neepawa.

0:00 Intro
2:31 A Conversation on Tariffs with Chuck Davidson
7:07 Don Walmsley on Habitat for Humanity
13:53 Western College of Veterinary Medicine Interview