Niagara Casinos Donates Over $215,000 to United Way Niagara

Niagara Casinos is excited to announce that this year’s annual workplace fundraising campaign resulted in a $215,246 cheque presentation to United Way Niagara at Fallsview Casino Resort.

The announcement represents one of the largest donations in the region with $108,946 raised through event fundraisers combined with $106,300 in corporate support.

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Tree Lighting Kicks Off Snowflakes & Angels Christmas Campaign

Hotel Dieu Shaver’s annual kick-off to the Snowflakes and Angels Christmas Campaign was a huge success — the Christmas tree in downtown St. Catharines was lit in spectacular fashion with help from country star and St. Catharines native, Tim Hicks.

Over 300 guests enjoyed free pizza, coffee, hot chocolate, wine and beer, a photobooth, kids’ crafts and a special visit from Sant. The event showcased the patient story of Celine Labrie and her experience at Hotel Dieu Shaver.

Read More in the HDS newsletter The Spirit

Rankin Cancer Run Contributes Remarkable $800,000 to Cancer Care at Niagara Health

On May 26, 2018, more than 14,000 people participated in the 13th Annual Rankin Cancer Run, raising an extraordinary $1.15 million for cancer care in Niagara. On December 11, Niagara Health Foundation was presented with a remarkable $800,000 of those funds, which will be used to support cancer care at Niagara Health.

The Rankin Run is an important fundraiser for local cancer support organizations across Niagara, including the Walker Family Cancer Centre and other services provided by Niagara Health. In its 13 years, the event has raised more than $8.7 million.

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Habitat for Humanity Excited Over Plan for Niagara Falls

A townhouse complex planned for Niagara Falls could be the biggest project yet for Habitat for Humanity Niagara. The agency has acquired land east of Dorchester Road between McLeod Road and Hawkins Street, and early planning calls for it to include 12 to 18 townhouse units.

It’s still very early in the process — plans haven’t even been drawn up or submitted to city hall yet — but organizers are excited. “This is our first development (of this size) so it’s difficult for us to give timelines, because we’ve never been through this,” said chief operating officer Keith Gowans.

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IceDogs, Police Deliver Bear Necessities to Hospitalized Children

On December 17, the Niagara IceDogs and members of the Niagara Regional Police delivered teddy bears to children at the St. Catharines hospital. The IceDogs hockey team recently had its teddy bear toss, when fans brought teddy bears and threw them on the ice. More than 3,500 bears were collected — about 1,000 more than last year.

The teddy bears will also be handed out by Victim Services Niagara to the children they take care of. Community organizations that help children in trauma situations will also be receiving some of the bears.

See more photos from the Niagara Falls Review

Preparation Underway for Spirit of Christmas Dinner

For the men, women, and children in crisis in our community, for students far from home, for those finding themselves on their own over the holidays, a Christmas meal can mean so much more than just a plate of food. It is a chance for connection, to be welcomed by smiling volunteers and to know that someone cares about you.

The De Divitiis family, friends, and students from Niagara College are busy preparing for the 2018 Annual Spirit of Christmas Dinner, which will once again be held at Gord’s Place in downtown St. Catharines.

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The Accelerating Pace of Change

When we say the pace of change is accelerating, we mean that in many sectors, critical foundations of industry structure—the economic fundamentals, the borders of industries, the value of different assets, even the types of competitors—are rapidly shifting. Every December, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce predicts the issues, opportunities and outlook for the year ahead in their Crystal Ball Report.

The world is moving fast and the economy is changing rapidly. While the degree of change can be uncomfortable or even destructive, it can also contain the seeds of opportunity. The uncertainty created by the accelerating pace of change begs caution, but ultimately fortune will favour the bold firms and governments that can seize upon the speed of the turning moment.

Read more in 5 Minutes for Business

Canadian Chamber Of Commerce Endorses Carbon Pricing As Most Efficient For Emissions Reduction

Canada’s largest business group has endorsed a carbon tax as the most efficient way for the country to cut greenhouse gas emissions. In a report released on December 13, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says there is general consensus in Canada that something needs to be done about climate change, and the debate should not be about if, but how that happens.

Aaron Henry, the Chamber’s Director of Natural Resources and environmental policy, said the businesses that make up its membership agree a carbon price is the most efficient way to do it. “Our members are very much in favour of it,” he said. “They’re happy to do this. We applaud the Canadian government’s direction on this.”

Read more from the Canadian Press

Long-Term Transportation Plan Fundamental to Ontario’s Diverse Transportation Needs

On December 5, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce released Moving Forward: Towards a Strategic Approach to Ontario’s Transportation Needs (Part I), a policy report calling on the Ontario Government to develop a Long-Term Transportation Plan. To address the current and future transportation needs of the province, the report highlights three areas of opportunity that will help improve the movement of goods and mobility of Ontarians.

In a recent OCC survey, 58 percent of Ontario businesses rated existing transportation infrastructure as fair or poor. With much of the existing infrastructure in Ontario built in the 1950s and 1960s and nearing the end of its useful life, the OCC recognizes that the costs of investment are high, and Ontario is far behind when it comes to building new and maintaining old infrastructure.

Read more from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

If you’re thinking of adding group benefits to your company, there are a lot of good reasons to put your Chamber membership to work for you. Not the least is exclusivity: only members have access to the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan®.

To contact your local insurance rep, call Jim Garrett or Cindy Haines at 905-468-8575

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MEMBER 2 MEMBER SAVINGS PROGRAM

Many other Chamber of Commerce members feature discounts and special offers — tailored specifically for other GNCC members. Check out the full Member 2 Member database. If you’d like to add an offer for your company, sign in to your account. You can add and update your offer any time you wish.

BUSINESS SAVINGS PROGRAMS

The GNCC offers many business resources that are regionally, provincially or nationally endorsed – programs offered to Chamber Members through the OCC (Ontario Chamber of Commerce) or the CCC (Canadian Chamber of Commerce). Affinity programs include the Chamber Group Insurance, FedEx savings, Gales Gas discounts, Desjardins payroll service, Chase Paymentech and FirstData merchant services, etc. For more information click HERE.

If your organization is interested in partnering with the GNCC on an affinity program, please feel free to reach out to Mishka Balsom, CEO, at mishka@gncc.ca.

GNCC REFERRAL PROGRAM

From the beginning, the GNCC has grown because of your word-of-mouth support.

This Referral Program is our way of saying thanks.

Get your choice of a $25 Starbucks Gift Card for every new member you refer and who joins the Chamber -OR- $50 in GNCC Cash for every new member you refer and joins the Chamber towards GNCC ads, sponsorship or event tickets.

More program information HERE.