Job Gym Announces New Hospitality & Tourism Skills Training Program

Job Gym is excited to announce a new training opportunity for job seekers in Niagara! The Hospitality Career Catalyst program features 5 weeks of skills development programming geared toward the hospitality and tourism industry. The program focuses on developing and improving employability skills and also provides several certifications relevant to the industry, including Emerit certification – developed through Tourism HR Canada.

Additionally, program participants will be connected with opportunities to visit local businesses and network with employers. A job shadow placement is provided as well as assistance in connecting with permanent employment. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a $600 stipend. The Niagara Falls session begins in November and the Niagara-on-the-Lake session starts in January.

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Paws-itive note for shoppers at Outlet Collection

Seamus, a two-and-half year old Saint Bernard and member of Therapy Tails, posed for photos and pettings Saturday at the Outlet Collection at Niagara. He and his furry friends from the Niagara-based dog therapy program were at the mall in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a pumpkin-selling fundraiser with all proceeds to the non-profit charity.

The event was held in the Saks Courtyard, where the mall has erected a 20 foot wall of 100 colourful pumpkins that are on display until Nov. 1. The common area of the mall is dog-friendly and a number of stores also allow you to bring your pup into their premises.

See more photos from the St. Catharines Standard

Lundy’s Lane BIA ready for Restaurant Week

Chefs all up and down Lundy’s Lane will be stepping up to the plate for Restaurant Week, a twice-yearly chance to showcase their best work. It’s actually two weeks — Oct. 25 to Nov. 8 — and 17 restaurants on the Lane are participating.

Restaurant Week started three years ago and has gained a loyal following, says David Jovanovic, project administrator for the Lundy’s Lane Business Improvement Area. “Because this is the main dining district for locals in Niagara, we have people who go back to the same place a couple times a week, 52 weeks a year,” he said.

Read more in the Niagara Falls Review

Torch Run Brings Taste of Canada Games to Niagara

Heavy rain pounded Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates Saturday as he began the first leg of the MNP Canada Games Torch Relay through downtown St. Catharines. Spectators huddled in doorways and under a tent, soaked students danced in puddles and the plush mascot tried to avoid getting water logged. Still the flame in Gates’ torch remained lit through it all.

“I kept it up there. It never went out at all, it was great,” said Gates, after handing off the 2019 Canada Winter Games torch on St. Paul Street just as the rain stopped again. “The kids had a great time, I had a great time. Thrilled to death and I’m sure it will be great the rest of the way up to Brock University.”

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Bryan Adams Heading to Meridian Centre

Bryan Adams is coming back to the Garden City. The Canadian rock icon will play the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines Feb. 1, returning for the first time since playing an acoustic fundraiser for a new digital mammography unit in the city. Prior to that, he joined hometown supermodel Linda Evangelista in 1998 for a benefit concert for a hospital breast-screening centre.

“People still talk about the time he performed at the Jack (Gatecliff Arena) for a fundraiser with Linda Evangelista 20 years ago,” said Meridian Centre spokeswoman Kay Meilleur. “Niagara has come a long way since then and we are thrilled to have him back.”

Read more in the Welland Tribune

Tickets Available for Disco Ball 2019 Supporting Niagara Sexual Assault Centre

Get out your costumes and prepare to dance the night away on January 19 at the Disco Ball 2019. Early bird tickets are available until November 30. Disco Ball 2019 supports the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre’s Child Assault Prevention Program.

The evening will feature a photo booth, all-night DJ, and costume prizes for best couples costume, best team costume, most original costume, and best costume of the 50s, 60s & 70s, and best of the 80s & 90s.

Find out more

Are You Prepared for Cyber Crime and Data Theft?

Spark Technical Academy offer online cybersecurity and technology skills training certificates. Topics include cyber threat detection, cyber security policy, enterprise cyber security basics, and blockchain basics for corporate applications.

Make sure you or your company’s IT team has the latest up-to-date training, to detect cyber threats, and eliminate attempts at stealing your information — or your client’s data. Grant funding may also be available for training through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant.

Find out more

Holiday Tips and Strategies Workshop for Care Partners

The Alzheimer Society Niagara Region is holding a workshop on November 28 for Holiday Tips and Strategies. Guest speaker Jessica Pace will lead the workshop with tips on meaningful activities, visting and hosting family, gift ideas for persons living with dementia, and composing a self-care wish list. There is no charge to attend the workshop.

The Caregiver Wellness Program provides the opportunity for care partners to self-reflect and discover where they are on their journey with dementia, and to stay in touch with other caregivers, attendees, and the Alzheimer Society.

Find out more

Canada’s Labour Minister Announces Funding to Support Indigenous Youth

A group of students from Niagara College’s Journey to Success Healthcare program were centre stage at a funding announcement by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour on October 25, aimed at helping to level the playing field for Indigenous youth.

Canada’s Minister of Labour and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey visited a Habitat for Humanity build site in Welland to announce a combined $8 million in federal funding to the Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board which will provide essential skills and job training opportunities to more than 260 Indigenous youth across Southern Ontario.

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USMCA: A Good Deal for Canadians

The United States Mexico Canada Agreement is an updated, modernized North American trade agreement that is good for Canada and good for Canadians. It is the result of Canada being tough at the negotiation table, united at home, and getting the job done. Canada negotiated hard. We stayed strong, even when some were urging capitulation. We held out for a good deal, and we got a good deal.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which represents 200,000 businesses of all sizes across our country, has strongly welcomed the United States Mexico Canada Agreement. So has Unifor, Canada’s largest labour union.

Read more from Chrystia Freeland in The Guardian

Canada: Still Open for Business?

The Senate of Canada has issued a report, Canada: Still Open for Business? examining new and emerging issues for Canadian importers and exporters with respect to the competitiveness of Canadian businesses.

Canada must overhaul its tax system and make it more friendly to business if the country is to remain competitive, the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce said in the report. Businesses, professionals and capital are increasingly mobile. The federal government must create a hospitable climate for these economic growth drivers or Canada risks being left behind.

Read more from the Senate of Canada

#338Conversations on Mental Health in the Workplace Launches October 30

Marilyn Gladu, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, will be hosting the official launch of #338conversations 2018 campaign. Under this initiative, Members of Parliament and Senators are being asked to join forces with their local Chamber of Commerce to create a dialogue around workplace mental health while encouraging organizations to take steps to safeguard the well-being and safety of their workers.

“A healthy workplace that allows employees to balance life and work, is free from harassment and bullying, and is filled with positive supports is a key to improved mental health, better employee relationships and increased productivity,” said Gladu.

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

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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.

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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.