Census Division No. 7 is located in western Manitoba and is divided by Trans-Canada Highway 1, a four-lane highway running east and west. Provincial Trunk Highway 10 links the area north to Flin Flon Manitoba (almost 800 kilometres), and south through Boissevain and the International Peace Gardens to Dunsieth North Dakota, United States.
The 1996 population of the Census Division was 57,222. The Census Division area is made up of the City of Brandon (Manitoba's second largest Urban Centre), the Towns of Carberry, Rivers and Souris, the Villages of Glenboro and Wawanesa, and the Rural Municipalities of Cornwallis, Daly, Elton, Glenwood, North Cypress, Oakland, South Cypress, and Whitehead.
Economic Base
The major urban centre within this Census Division area is the City of Brandon (2nd largest centre in Manitoba), which contributes substantially to the area's economy. Brandon has all major retail and professional services, many wholesale and commercial ventures, and dozens of small specialty shops catering to specific points of the local market. The economy is deeply rooted in agriculture. This tradition continues today with many of Brandon's commercial businesses contributing directly to the agriculture industry. Many large and small manufacturers produce agricultural goods from equipment and implement parts, buildings and bins, to fertilizers and chemicals. Other manufacturers offer a wide array of products used in many different industries and shipped both locally and internationally.
Outside the City of Brandon, the area's economy is strengthened by the many mixed farms and livestock operations. Cereal grains and oilseeds are the main crops, but small amounts of specialty crops are grown. The beautiful scenery, and the events and activities around the region also support a thriving tourism and service industry.
Major Private Employers in Area
Behlen Industries Steel bins and Buildings (Brandon)
Brandon Sun Media-Newspaper (Brandon)
Canada Safeway Ltd. Retail Grocer (Brandon)
Canadian Inn Accommodations (Brandon)
Canadian Motors Automobile Dealer (Brandon)
Cancade Company Ltd. Farm Equipment Manuf. & Dist. (Brandon)
Cando Contractinf Ltd. Salvage & Rail Constriction (Brandon)
Central Park Lodge Senior's Residence (Brandon)
CKX TV & Radio Media (Brandon)
Dairy World Foods Dairy (Brandon)
Inventronics Ltd. Sheet Metal Fabrication (Brandon)
