Looking at the Future of the Border

On October 30, join ITGO, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency for the premiere logistics event of the year, and an in-depth look at the technologies that are being implemented right now — and in the near future — to make our border safer and smarter, supporting the free flow of freight in the Buffalo Niagara region.

The future of freight movement is a moving target, with new technologies, processes and policies creating both opportunities and challenges. As shippers and their logistics providers plan for the future, these changes must be taken into consideration, but advancements designed to lower cost and speed-to-market are coming at a faster pace than ever before.

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Avoiding Expensive Tax Mistakes When Buying Property from Non-Residents

In this month’s blog, Balaji Katlai takes a look at a court appeal of a withholding tax that was levied following purchase of a condominium in Toronto from a non-resident. The appeal was heard in December 2017 and was dismissed with costs totalling $92,000. Why was this punitive outcome levied on the buyer?

In short, the seller had not obtained a clearance certification nor had the legal representative of the buyer deducted a withholding tax. The buyer was held liable for this tax, which is 25% of the gross sale, as per the law. Such reporting failures can lead to potentially punitive tax costs to the buyer.

Read more in Balaji Katlai’s blog

Furtney Crysler LLP and Job Gym Present a Small Business Seminar

Small business leaders wear a lot of hats to keep their organization moving forward. On October 25, this Small Business Seminar is aimed to support these owners, managers and leaders with additional tools to keep their business healthy!

Featuring 4 speakers who are experts in accounting and finances; management and leadership development; hiring and training grants; and human resources. In celebration of Small Business Month, join Furtney Crysler LLP and Job Gym for a morning of professional development, networking and breakfast!

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Job Gym: Employer Spotlight on Meridian

Small Business Advisers Christine Dekker and Deborah Forrester of Meridian will host the Job Gym Employer Spotlight on October 18. This workshop will feature a workshop on Message Maps, which are communication tools that help owners tell their business stories beter.

Workshop attendees will learn more about Message Maps and work through creating their own so that they can effectively and professionally connect to funders, customers and potential partners. The session will also provide tips on developing business plans and resources for starting new businesses.

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GNCC Vice Chair Colleen Fleming Earns Senecan of Distinction Award

Colleen Fleming of C. Fleming & Associates Ltd. has been recognized with a 2018 Senecans of Distinction Award by the Seneca College Alumni association. The Senecans of Distinction Awards celebrate those who make significant contributions to Seneca on campus and in the community.

Colleen served on Seneca’s Board of Governors from 2010 to 2016 and served as Chair for two years. During her time as Chair, Colleen spearheaded a monetary fundraising goal for the Board’s contributions to the Board of Governors Entrance Scholarship, which was surpassed by 50 per cent with all Governors participating. Congratulations, Colleen!

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Spotlight Gala Celebrates Past, Present, and Future

The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara is holding its third annual Spotlight Gala on October 18. Join them as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary and guide attendees on a journey through their past, present, and future.

The event will feature the comedy of Niagara’s own Joe Pillitteri and guest speaker Janet Handy, author of The Secret Tribe: a memoir of resilience. Proceeds from the event benefit the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, a safe place to help, heal, and end child abuse.

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Upcoming Events from the Alzheimer Society Niagara Region

The Alzheimer Society Niagara Region is hosting a special presentation on October 17 titled “Dementia: Community Resources, Caregiving, and Research.” You can be a part of the live audience, as the presentation will be taped and later available on YouTube. Speakers include Dr. William Brown, Professor of Neurology, as well as Gerry Bucsis, Family Support Councillor.

Other upcoming Alzheimer Society events include A Walk Back in TimeFundraising Gala on October 19, and Public Forums on Financial Concerns & Roles of the Power of Attorney on October 16 and Legal & Financial Issues on November 20.

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Welland Accepts Highest Achievement From World Council On City Data

The City of Welland is proud to receive the highest level of open data certification from the World Council on City Data. Welland now joins ten other Canadian cities in compliance with the ISO 37120 Sustainable Development of Communities: Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life international certification.

The WCCD is the only global organization building ISO-standardized independently verified and globally comparable data for cities that helps to create sustainable, resilient, and prosperous cities. Welland is now aligned with an international network of cities including Shanghai, Dubai, London, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, and Buenos Aires.

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Are You an Internationally Trained Professional? The Welland Heritage Council Has News for You

The Niagara Foregin Credential Recognition Program, offered by the Welland Heritage Council, can help internationally trained professionals with assessing their credentials and finding employment in Canada, as well as providing financial planning and assistance for employment. Click here to find out more about the program.

Have international training, living in Niagara, and hoping to re-enter your career in Canada? Help the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre help you by completing their survey during the month of October.

Take the survey

Men Strapping on High Heels this Weekend for Gillian’s Place

Gillian’s Place is again asking the men of Niagara, “Are you man enough?” The organization, which provides shelter, counselling and other services to assist abused women and children, is set to host its Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser on Saturday at The Pen Centre in St. Catharines. Men are encouraged to participate in a symbolic march against societal restrictions placed on women, and specifically the issue of violence against women and children.

The event is also aimed at showing men are willing to stand together with women in making the world a safer place. All proceeds support Gillian’s Place, which provides a 24-hour support line, safe shelter, safety planning, emotional support, legal advice, transitional assistance and public education. All services are free and completely confidential.

Read More in the Niagara Falls Review

Niagara College Reaches ‘Pinnacle’ of Success

In the world of event management, students at Niagara College have proven to be golden. The International Festivals and Events Association awarded the college with its Gold Pinnacle Award for Best Event Management Certification Program on Oct. 1 at its 63rd annual conference held in San Diego.

The competition draws entries from some of the world’s top festivals, events and educational programs in the event management field. “It’s an honour for our program to be recognized on the world stage through this award,” said Christine Blane, event management program co-ordinator.

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Salon Series Asks: What’s the Big Idea?

What’s the Big Idea is a different kind of series: part presentation, part moderated salon discussion with a diverse line-up of guest speakers and topics that are meant to spark lively discussion, spirited debate and new ideas, in a comfortable, relaxed setting.

The first evening of the series will feature Ian Brown reading from Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year. Ian is an author and feature writer for The Globe and Mail whose work has won many national magazine and newspaper awards.

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GNCC Welcomes US – Mexico – Canada Trade Agreement

The GNCC is pleased to hear that a deal in principle has been reached for a renewed trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The uncertainty created by negotiations over NAFTA and the brewing tariff war have already had negative effects on the Canadian economy, which have been felt in Niagara, and this deal may bring that uncertainty to an end.

We are grateful to Minister Freeland and her negotiating team for having reached an agreement under difficult circumstances. Given the clouds that hung over the proceedings, the GNCC believes the value of their hard work cannot be overstated.

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Good Social Media Is Good Business

Recent research highlights the potential for Canadian SMEs to become much more competitive in the scaling process from small business to larger, globally competitive enterprises. One of the tools that helps Canadian companies grow globally is social media. It is easy to use, inexpensive and provides access to new customers in a variety of ways. Mobile connections are only accelerating that access because we can now purchase from anywhere at any time.

A whopping 70% of small Canadian companies use some form of social media and most use several. Instagram’s new study found nearly three in five SMEs agree that social media helps to connect with customers in their cities. Additionally, over half also believe that it helps them find customers in other cities, provinces and countries.

Read more in 5 Minutes for Business

Send a Message to Queen’s Park!

The GNCC and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are committed to ensuring that the new government understands the issues impacting business in this province. That’s why we need your help to express the voice of business loud and clear at Queen’s Park.

This survey is your opportunity to have your voice heard on the issues that matter most: the impact of government policy on your business, the overall state of the Ontario economy, and your confidence in your own success. Survey participants have a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Take the OCC Fall Policy Survey

It’s Time for Ottawa To Look at Implementing a 21st-Century Tax System

The last time Canada undertook a comprehensive review of its tax system, humankind still hadn’t set foot on the moon. In the five decades since, repeated cutting-and-pasting has left Canadian taxation cumbersome and inefficient.

Much has changed since the Carter commission created our now-outdated tax system. New technologies, global supply chains and international competition have disrupted entire industries. Governments worldwide are competing to harness innovation by trying to understand how new developments such as artificial intelligence and the sharing economy will reshape our lives and how we work, including how we tax.

Read mor from The Globe and Mail

Canadian Chamber and Indigenous Works Partner to Promote Better Community and Business Engagement

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous Works are partnering to assist businesses in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Corporate Call- to-Action 92 and to address a corporate/Indigenous engagement gap identified in a national research study.

Indigenous Works and the Canadian Chamber will work together over the next three years to develop meaningful opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to collaborate more effectively, and to learn from each other as they engage on profitable and growth-oriented ventures that will drive jobs and partnerships.

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Canada, European Officials Review CETA, Endorse Recommendations on Climate and Gender

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) celebrated late last month its one-year anniversary since its provisional entry into force, with officials meeting in a “joint committee” format to evaluate the accord’s implementation and adopt recommendations involving climate, gender, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Officials from several countries involved in the agreement have expressed their satisfaction with its application to date. CETA eliminated 98 percent of tariffs on goods traded between the two sides and involved the adoption of comprehensive rules across various trade and investment policy areas, including in relation to sustainability.

Read more from Bridges

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.