MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF BRANDON
RICK CHREST
A
RESILIENCE! t the time of writing, the cal endar has just clicked past Labour Day, school is heading back, and a proverbial switch is toggled in our mindset from
top of mind, a plethora of new practices
is being proven out in real time; whereby
and measures were created practically
COVID admissions to Manitoba intensive
overnight, whether it be plexiglass bar
care units currently show that zero are
riers, physical distancing markers, hand
fully vaccinated patients, highlighting
sanitizers, mask requirements, and so on.
medical professionals’ pronouncement
summer mode to back to business.
Many businesses reinvented themselves
that it is now primarily a pandemic of the
As we surpass a full 18 months of endur
adding new lines of product, creating
unvaccinated. I’m not intending to be
ing the global pandemic, the word “resil
new online e-commerce systems, take
on a pro-vaccine soapbox here, but I am
out, delivery, and curbside pick-up op
steadfastly advocating for sound mea
tions, and of course the wide barrage of
sures to keep us safe and healthy while
online meeting platforms. When survival
getting our lives and businesses back to a
is at stake, humans once again proved
greater status of normalcy. So far, the vac
they will not throw in the towel and
cines are the strongest strategy available
found new ways to persevere. For many
to combat COVID-19, and happily the vast
businesses and organizations, survival
majority of the population has come on
measures they were forced to implement
board with more citizens deciding each
have turned out to be sound improve
day to accept this protection for them
ments that enhance efficiency and im
selves and their community.
prove the bottom line that most claim
The past year and a half have been a tu
they will maintain long after COVID is put
multuous time for almost everyone and
from every corner of society. Most busi
under control.
while the pandemic is not yet over, I be
nesses and organizations had to pivot on
What lies ahead? As I write this, Manitoba
lieve there is light at the end of the tunnel.
a dime and invent new ways to deliver
stands at 78 per cent of people 12 and
their goods and services, navigating suc
over having been fully vaccinated. The
cessive waves of changing orders and
vaccines are becoming a game changer in
restrictions. With health and safety at the
our ability to live with this virus. Science
ience” stands out as a hallmark for busi nesses, organizations, and individuals. At no time in modern memory has our en tire globe been forced to endure such a universal threat causing practically every human being to change the way we do things. From my chair, while the munici pality like everyone else has had to learn to carry on in the face of COVID-19, what I’ve witnessed the most is the incredible display of the human spirit and the re sulting innovation and resilience coming
I’m quite optimistic and encouraged for what lies ahead. The innovation and cando attitude demonstrated by so many will make us stronger, more efficient, and very ready to do business in the months and years ahead. I would like to congratulate and thank all of those who did so much to hold our economy and our community together through all of this. I’m saddened that we have experienced many losses; lives have been lost, businesses forced to close, and many are still unemployed. But I’m certain we will recover and gradually but surely our lives will come back to – do I dare say it – our new normal. Carry on being so resilient. Best wishes to one and all. ¢
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••• Brandon Business Review ••• 2021
