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SMALL BUSINESS MONTH - SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025
A BRIGHT SIDE AMIDST THE TURMOIL PUBLIC NOW HAS A GREATER APPETITE FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS, CHAMBER PRESIDENT SAYS
“It’s still a trying time for small businesses in Manitoba, but they have resilience and optimism,” says Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “But the reality is that the pressure has been non-stop. It’s had a piling on effect. It’s been difficult for them to get into a position to grow their businesses.” That said, bright spots often appear during turmoil – that turmoil now being the tariffs that Donald Trump slapped Canada with. One bright spot has been consumers making a conscious shift to support local businesses. “If there’s been a bright side, it’s that the public now has a greater appetite for supporting local businesses,” Davidson says. “People have come to better understand the importance of small business both in the city and rural Manitoba.” While there has been a definite shift to buying local goods – as well as Canadian-made goods – small businesses still need to work hard to survive. “It (the focus on buying local products) helps to a certain extent, (but) small businesses are still being impacted more by pressures such as supply chain issues, the Canada Post strike and rail issues. Those things are an additional hindrance to businesses as they create more cost pressures.” With those issues in mind, Davidson says he and his chamber colleagues will continue to be in conversation with the different levels of government.
BY TODD LEWYS
If there’s one word that describes Manitoba-based small businesses, it would be resilient. J ust take a look at the past five years and the numerous chal- lenges they’ve faced. First, it was the COVID-19 pandemic, where they were forced to pivot when every business that wasn’t deemed an essen- tial service was forced to close its doors. Most survived thanks to some quick thinking, where they sold their goods online and took government loans to stay afloat. Next came the severe inflation that was part and parcel of the pandemic. Profitability was cut significantly due to the added cost of sourcing supplies and goods – and the fact that business was a fraction of what it would normally be. Still, businesses survived. Today, small businesses are dealing with another pair of issues: workforce challenges and the onerous tariffs that have been im- posed on Canadian goods by the United States. You can’t blame small business owners for wondering when they might get some relief from the unrelenting pressure.
Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. PHOTO BY MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
WINTER 2023, VOL. 23
LOOKING AHEAD The economic horse pulls the social cart: Q&A with The
Honourable Wab Kinew
MANITOBA’S PREMIER MAGAZINE ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THEM.
Read online at winnipegfreepress.com/fp-features
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