Please join us in welcoming the new members who joined in July 2016!
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Dual-Direct Representation for St. Catharines
Niagara Region and Niagara’s municipal councils will shortly discuss allowing dual-direct councillors for St. Catharines. At the GNCC, we would like to know what you think of this issue. Please take our very quick two-question survey and let us know.
This will not affect any other municipality, nor does it change the representation St. Catharines will have in regional council. It will simply mean that the six St. Catharines regional councillors are also city councillors. The total number of councillors on city and on the regional council will stay the same as the measure would combine the two roles.
Port Colborne City Council Waives Sidewalk Encroachment Fees
After previous advocacy work from the GNCC, Port Colborne City Council directed staff to review the sidewalk encroachment fee schedule in the city.
On top of the highest property taxes for neighbourhood stores anywhere in Niagara, these fees were making it hard to do business in the city.
What would a Trump Presidency Mean to Canada?
With the conventions wrapped up, it’s now official — Donald Trump is the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States
The odds that he’ll win the election are very slim (at best), but why, and what would a Trump victory mean for Canada?
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In the News
An Olympic Campaign
The work of a St. Catharines digital firm is getting national exposure thanks to three popular campaigns centred around the Rio Summer Olympics.
Sports fans who have been watching the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)’s coverage of the Summer Olympics in Rio might recognize Form & Affect’s handiwork.
Region Hosts Survey on Double Direct
After getting approval from the Government of Ontario, the initiative for double-direct councillors is now back for approval in Niagara. The GNCC has supported this effort over its entire life. Streamlining government, reducing bureaucracy, and cutting red tape are priorities that local businesses have repeatedly identified.
We hope that you will also complete the Region’s three-question survey, show your support for this initiative, and help us take a major step towards better and more responsive governance for business in Niagara.
Professional Leadership Development Certificate Program
Are you part of an organization looking to invest in your employees, an individual seeking to advance to leadership positions, or a leader in Niagara looking to expand your professional development?
The Professional Leadership Development Certificate Program is the right choice for you.
The Professional Leadership Development Certificate Program is a collaboration between the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) and the Goodman School of Business’s Centre for Innovation, Management and Enterprise Education (CIMEE) at Brock University.
Sustainable Garden Planted at White Oaks
Joni Mitchell would be proud. Instead of paving paradise to put up a parking lot, White Oaks Resort opted to turn a surplus piece of roadway in front of its Taylor Road property into a lush garden.
White Oaks teamed up with Niagara College, tapping into expertise found within the school’s horticulture program, to create a strip of garden that runs along Taylor Road.
Verge Insurance 7th Annual Charity BBQ Another Success
On July 14, 2016, the Verge Insurance Group hosted its 7th Annual fundraising BBQ for Hospice Niagara in Montebello Park.
In three hours, they raised $900/hour for a total of $2,700 going to support Hospice Niagara. Hospice Niagara also had a “huge” day selling their 5-Car Draw Tickets at the park.
Supporters Of OneFoundation For Niagara Health System Receive Big Thank You
Over 1500 healthcare donors received a phone call on August 5, but they were not asked for a donation. Together with community partner Minacs, OneFoundation for Niagara Health System called donors during their Second Annual Thank-a-thon to simply say ‘Thanks!’
“We have thousands of wonderful donors in the Niagara region” said OneFoundation Board Member Brad Johnstone. “We can’t thank them enough for making great healthcare in Niagara a reality.”
United Way 2016 Campaign Kick-off Breakfast
Join the United Way on September 13 for their 2016 Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast.
The breakfast will take place at the Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Centre in St. Catharines. Proudly sponsored by Enbridge.
Business Crowd Flying High Over Air Service
Bookings have begun rolling in for upcoming flights connecting Niagara and Toronto — and it comes as no surprise to Mishka Balsom.
The president and CEO of Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce believes the air service offered by Greater Toronto Airways announced August 9 will be a “great benefit” to the local business community.
Circle of Trust® Experience coming to Silver Spire
Silver Spire United Church has announced an eight-week Circle of Trust Experience starting in September.
This series uses a non-religious, heart-centred process which invites participants to focus on present questions of life in a safe, quiet circle setting. Individual stories, as well as insights from poets, storytellers or wisdom traditions are used to explore the intersection of one’s personal and professional life.
Seaway Mall Sees the Big Picture
Mike Belcastro, President of Seaway Mall, is always looking for innovative ways to attract new tenants and provide added value to current ones.
That’s what he found in a stylized piece of online software to maintain the shopping centre’s marketing efforts: the Douglas Marketing Group Big Picture Landscape® software.
Push Yourself to the Limit at the 8th Annual Big Move Cancer Ride.
Cycle the 100K with other hardcore riders, try the 50K route for a bit of a challenge or cruise the 25K at your own pace.
Whether individually or part of a team, register today and join us as we ride to raise money for the Walker Family Cancer Centre!
Spotlight Gala in support of Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara
Commemorate the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre’s 8th anniversary with their inaugural Spotlight Gala.
Featuring Patrick O’Sullivan from the NHL, the evening promises to be a night of awareness and charm.
NRPS Chief Helps Kick Off Coffee Break Campaign
The Alzheimer Society of Niagara’s annual Coffee Break campaign kicks off September 15 with honourary chair Jeff McGuire overseeing the event.
Coffee Breaks are any type of social activity hosted by people who want to make a difference in their community. All funds raised from these events stay in the Niagara Region and directly support the Alzheimer Society of Niagara.
Smile — For a Great Cause 🙂
The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign will be putting smiles on customers from September 12 to 18. This year, Community Care and the YWCA have been chosen as the lucky recipients of the proceeds from all participating Tim Hortons restaurants in St. Catharines, Thorold and Niagara-on-the Lake.
Purchase a Smile Cookie from a participating Tim Hortons locaion for $1 plus applicable taxes and the full one dollar is donated to the YWCA and Community Care.
#ThisIsMyTwentyValley Photo Contest
Summer is still here — and it’s been a beautiful and hot one! Twenty Valley Tourism Association wants to see what you’ve been capturing in the Twenty Valley with their Summer Snapshot Contest.
The contest runs until September 9. Dust off your camera and send in your best snapshot for a chance to win.
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Building the Skills to Pay the Bills (and Rule the World)
What’s the best way to improve the skills of the Canadian workforce? Consider that 65% of children now entering grade school will end up working in careers that haven’t even been invented yet and that a young person entering the workforce today will change jobs 15 times in her career
Canada has excellent colleges and universities, but none of us really know what skills are needed in the future. How, then, can we prepare people for a lifetime of learning and new ideas?
5 Minutes for Business: The End of Growth
It’s August, and everyone’s least favorite summertime ritual is here—it’s the annual revising down of global growth forecasts.
The trouble is rich countries: they’re just not growing fast enough. From jobs and wages to pension returns and tax revenue, we depend on growth in the 3%–range. We expect it to return and, every year, we’re disappointed.
OCC Releases “Breaking Barriers: Ontario’s Scale Up Challenge”
Breaking Barriers: Ontario’s Scale Up Challenge identifies the major roadblocks preventing Ontario businesses from expanding and presents recommendations to best support business owners in taking their ventures to the next stage of growth.
According to the report, based on interviews…
Strategic Framework For Tourism In Ontario
Ontario’s tourism industry is a critical economic driver in many communities across the province. In 2012, total tourism receipts exceeded $28 billion and the industry supported almost 360,000 jobs in all regions of the province.
More importantly, however, we see the tourism industry’s potential for growth…
OCC Releases Passport to Prosperity
The OCC has released Passport to Prosperity, documenting its recommendations on immigration reform.
The recommendations aim to increase Canada’s global competitiveness and close the skills gap by making Canada and Ontario more receptive and flexible when it comes to welcoming skilled and talented immigrants…
Crystal Ball Report: Canada In A Volative World: Economic And Political Outlook For 2016-2017
The Crystal Ball Report examines the most significant economic, political and technological issues facing Canadian business in order to forecast critical opportunities and challenges in the years ahead.
This report is the culmination of extensive research and input from businesses across Canada and from the global experts who helped us gaze into the crystal ball. …
Renewing
Members
The following members renewed their membership in June for another year. Thank you for supporting the Chamber — and supporting business in Niagara!
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PROGRAMS
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
Try the purest, freshest water available — one month absolutely FREE! Experience the taste of clean water AND discover why so many homes, schools, and businesses love H2Only… it’s the service! No contracts, no set schedules. You call, we deliver the following business day. That simple since 1995!
Contact: 905-934-0966
sales@h2only.ca
www.h2only.ca
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!
