The GNCC Looks Ahead to Tomorrow’s Niagara

The Ontario Government announced a review and potential reform of Niagara’s municipal governance structure. The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce has compiled an overview of different governance models and some of the more notable advantages and challenges for each model.

The current government structure in Niagara has existed since 1970; since then, our communities, our economy, and technology have all changed. There are new pressures on government and new demands from citizens. Government structure reform may resolve some of the issues facing us, but each potential model has pros and cons.

Read our Executive Summary

Share Your Thoughts on Governance

Ontario is launching online consultation for the regional government review of eight regional municipalities and their lower-tiers. In total, 82 municipalities are included in the review. The government has invited our members to share their thoughts on the municipalities where you live, work or spend time.

The government wants to hear your views on the way your municipal elected representatives make their decisions and represent your community. They also want your thoughts and observations on the efficiency, effectiveness and cost of the various municipal services that your municipalities provide.

Take the Survey

The Nook Bookstore Takes Top Prize in Win This Space Contest

Elysia French and Graham Thompson are winners of the St. Catharines Downtown Association’s Win This Space competition. The pair plan on opening a book store called The Nook. Contestants for Win This Space went through a series of seminars to develop a business plan which they then had to present of a panel of judges to win a grand prize valued at $38,000.

Some of the other business ideas that were put forth included a cruelty-free beauty product store and the Crown Cocktail Co., the latter which teaches people how to make exquisite cocktails, sell paraphernalia to make the cocktails and a sampling bar.

Read more in the St. Catharines Standard

Habitat for Humanity Niagara Hungry for ReStore Volunteers

Syl Gerritsma wanted to make the world a better place for his 11 grandchildren, so when the retiree decided to volunteer, he turned to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. “I love my grandchildren, and I want to leave for them a physical creation that isn’t a landfill,” said Gerritsma. “I also want to leave a society that enables people to flourish.”

The ReStore location on Bunting Road in St. Catharines seemed a perfect fit, with its focus on selling refurbished tools and home-renovation materials, diverting them from landfill and supporting Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s efforts to provide affordable housing for deserving families.

Read more in the Niagara Falls Review

New Pilot Project from Niagara College Boosts Senior Wellness

A community of local seniors are getting fitter, stronger and a boost of confidence, with a little help from Niagara College. A new pilot project is bringing fitness expertise from the College to Radiant Care’s Tabor Manor in St. Catharines.

“Our seniors have had hip replacements, knee surgeries and other health issues that have to be considered before beginning a fitness program and we don’t have the expertise — but Niagara College does,” said Radiant Care Tabor Manor CEO Tim Siemens. “The partnership with NC is already having a tremendous impact on our seniors.”

Read more

Regional Transit to be Fully Integrated by 2021

Niagara Region Transit is picking up speed on its way to becoming fully integrated by 2021. But a push may be needed to help Niagara’s transit providers develop a new governance model.

Niagara’s GO Implementation Office transportation lead Kumar Ranjan updated members of the Linking Niagara transit committee on March 6 on the next steps towards establishing a seamless transit service for the region. He said regional transit services will be “progressively increasing, year by year.”

Read more in the Welland Tribune

Balance for Better: Women in Business

With over 1 million self-employed women in Canada and more on the rise, women-led businesses hold the key to not only strengthening Canada’s competitiveness, but the overall economy as well. Despite this increase in female entrepreneurs, women only account for roughly 33% of all self-employed people.

On International Women’s Day, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce wanted to draw attention to the necessity of striving for a gender-balanced workplace in order to truly unlock prosperity for all. It is time that Canadians see that gender-balance in the workplace is not a women’s issue, but a business issue.

The GNCC and Women in Niagara hosted an International Women’s Day event with 720 in attendance with the goal of recognizing women’s achievements, building leadership and facilitating connections.

Read more from the CCC

Mentally Healthy Workplaces: The Best Investment Your Business Can Make

Every week, nearly 500,000 Canadians miss work due to mental health problems or illnesses, costing the economy in excess of $51 billion annually. In order to remain competitive, businesses need to focus inwards and begin investing in and improving how they navigate mental health in their workplace.

With most adults spending more of their waking hours at work and with one in five Canadians experiencing a mental health problem or illness, addressing the issue of mental health at work is vitally important for all people in Canada — especially employers.

Read more from Canadian SME

Amid Worker Shortage, Business Groups Call on Ottawa to Expand Jobs Programs in Pre-Election Budget

Business groups are calling on the government to expand jobs-related programs in the upcoming federal budget, as a persistent labour shortage in Canada has made it difficult for companies to hire skilled workers.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau hinted in February that the March 19 budget would focus on skills and training, which he said would help Canadians “feel more optimistic about the future.” The theme touches on deepening anxieties in the Canadian workforce, both for workers and the companies looking to hire them, as the global economy undergoes a rapid technological shift.

Read more in the National Post

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.