Niagara Association of REALTORS® Sends Updated Candidate Survey

The Niagara Association of REALTORS® has compiled a survey that will be sent to all candidates in the upcoming municipal election. The survey poses questions and solicits feedback from our local candidates on housing, transportation, taxation and other issues that are important to Niagara voters.

The survey also focuses on important issues that are of particular importance for each municipality. The survey, when complete, will help the association to promote legislation and regulations that benefit homeowners and clients in the Niagara region.

View the Survey

Niagara College to Officially Open Canada’s First Teaching Distillery Oct. 4

Niagara College will celebrate the opening of Canada’s first Teaching Distillery, home of its new Artisan Distilling program, at a special event at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus on Thursday, Oct. 4. Attendees will see the College’s new Teaching Distillery, meet the first cohort of students, and meet special guest Dr. Don Livermore, master blender at Hiram Walker & Sons.

The Artisan Distilling program provides an in-depth understanding of the scientific, technological and business aspects of distilling and fermentation. Students gain relevant skills, knowledge and experiences in the production cycle of distilled spirits, including production, testing/analysis, and packaging/merchandising

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FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Celebrated 3rd Birthday with Culture Days

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is set to celebrate their third birthday! They are marking the occasion by welcoming the community to take part in CULTURE DAYS, Canada’s largest-ever collaborative public participation arts and culture celebration.

Visit the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, September 30 from 11am to 4pm to celebrate with free family activities all day! All are welcome for birthday cake and a community photo at 12pm noon. There are also free family activities that showcase local culture creators and inspire participation in Niagara’s flourishing arts community.

Register now

Tariffs Needed on U.S. Wines, Too: Industry

Despite new retaliatory tariffs being imposed on a list of hundreds of American-made products, wine continues to flow relatively freely across the U.S. border. Canada’s wine industry, however, would likely benefit if U.S. wines were added to that list, too.

“We know the products, especially from the U.S., come in with huge subsidies,” said Grape Growers of Ontario chief executive officer Debbie Zimmerman. “From our perspective, if there’s going to be any push-back on that … we’d love to see the Canadian product (grow),” she added. “Our market share is so minimal. We’re anxious to see the growth of our market.”

Read more in the St. Catharines Standard

Form & Affect Film Earns St. Catharines National Award

A 10-minute film showcasing the revitalization of St. Catharines’ downtown core has earned national recognition. The film, called Anything Together: A Downtown Story took first place in the short film/video category in the Economic Developers Association of Canada’s annual Marketing Canada Awards.

The film was developed in partnership between the city’s economic development and tourism department and local production company Form and Affect. It focuses on a former St. Catharines resident named Jack, played by Tino Notarianni, who returns to the city and is overwhelmed by the changes he discovers with the help of his friend Kate, played by Hana Holubec.

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Casino Operator Has Plan for Toronto Competition

When Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment was named Monday to take over operation of Niagara Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara next summer, one word came up again and again in interviews with observers: Marketing. How, they wondered, can the Niagara casinos survive and attract new customers with competing casinos already operating in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Buffalo?

Then there’s the casino at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, where major plans include future hotels and residential growth. Not to mention Casinos Rama and Windsor. “We will compete with them the same way we compete everywhere — with best-in-class design, product, marketing, advertising, guest service and employee engagement,” said Mario Kontomerkos, chief executive officer of Mohegan.

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Support for Alzheimer’s Poured During Coffee Break in Welland

The City of Welland has seen support pour in for the coffee break events it has hosted in support of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada for the past four years. On Tuesday, city staff, along with the municipality’s senior citizens advisory committee, greeted guests over a cup of joe for the annual fundraiser.

“We are grateful for whatever comes in,” said Kim Leney, one of the lead organizers of the event at the wellness complex on Lincoln Street. Krista Bowie, community development and volunteer co-ordinator for the city, added the cause is “near and dear” to many staff, but also to herself as she worked in long-term care homes before taking her current position.

Read more in the Welland Tribune

Giant Cellphone Lands in Montebello Park

Johnnie Linn first saw the new Smart Kiosk technology while visiting family in New York City three years ago. And the senior adviser from Bell Canada wanted to bring one of them home. “This was the vision, this was the dream to have them in Canada as well,” said Linn on September 26, while at Montebello Park unveiling one of three of the $50,000 devices.

Linn, who has been working with the City of St. Catharines on the initiative, said the device is a significant upgrade over the one he saw in New York. It features two 54-inch LCD touch screens, giving users access to information about community events and services, advertisements and information, while also providing free Wi-Fi throughout the park and cellphone charging stations.

Find out more

Deadline September 30 to Apply for Executive VP Of Operations And Communication

The GNCC is creating a new position of Executive VP of Operations and Communication to secure the functionality of business and to drive extensive and sustainable growth. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the EVP will be leading the organization’s ongoing operation and marketing activities as well as implementing new business services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing leadership in client services and value propositions in support of GNCC’s mission; leading the development, implementation, and analysis of communication and marketing strategies; introducing valued business services for clients, and more.

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Make your voice heard! OCC Fall Policy Survey

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

U.S.—Mexico text may preview Canada’s NAFTA prospects

U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer is expected to post text online soon that will lay out more of what Mexico has agreed to so far in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

While he portrayed the preliminary agreement in principle announced in late August as exclusively bilateral, it may include at least a dozen chapters reportedly closed between all three NAFTA partners. That means that at least indirectly, the document expected this weekend may reveal more than has been previously confirmed about Canada’s negotiations to date.

Read more from CBC News

Canadian Chamber Announces AGM Policy Voting Results: More Projects, More Jobs, Less Red Tape

More than 300 business leaders from every corner of the country came together at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting this past weekend to focus on the challenges facing Canadian businesses in 2018.

“The real power of the Canadian Chamber lies in its grassroots, with more than 400 chambers mobilized across the country, that, collectively, reflect the voice and concerns of business owners from every main street in the country,” said the Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

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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.