| January 22, 2018 | Submissions? email brad@gncc.ca |
2018
EVENTS
Lunch & Learn: The Business Case for Creating Inclusive Workplaces
Learn how to access funding to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
January 24 • 12:00pm—1:30pm
Big Marco’s Italian Restaurant
274 Fourth Avenue
St. Catharines
State of the City St. Catharines
January 30, 2018 • 4:30—7:00pm
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
250 St. Paul Street
St. Catharines
Business After 5
Hosted in February by Yoga by Sarah
February 6, 2018 • 5:00pm—7:00pm
400 Scott Street, St. Catharines
Please bring socks or slippers — no shoes in the yoga space please!
WINspirational Women: A Conversation with Dr. Suzanne Johnston
February 8, 2018 • 7:00pm—9:00pm
Lundy’s Manor Wine Cellars
9941 Lundy’s Lane
Niagara Falls
International Women’s Day 2018
Featuring Betsy Myers, COO of Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign, and 2018 IWD Award Recipient Mary Ann Edwards, Run Director, Rankin Cancer Run
March 8, 2018
Club Italia
Niagara Falls
State of the Region
March 28, 2018
Scotiabank Convention Centre
Save the Date!
MEMBERS
OFFERS
CHAMBER
ADVOCACY
Bank of Canada Interest Rate Increase: The Canadian Chamber Urges Caution
Following Wednesday’s announcement of a 0.25 per cent increase in the prime lending rate, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce urges the Bank of Canada to be cautious about future increases
While Canada’s economy is strong, we remain concerned about slowing growth as we look ahead in 2018 and into 2019. Further rate increases motivated in part by government policies that drive up the cost of living could negatively impact consumer spending, as well as the housing market in Canada.
This would only exacerbate existing challenges facing Canadian businesses, including those that the Canadian Chamber has consistently identified, such as the need to address the increasing regulatory burden on companies, the uncertainty about the future of NAFTA and other important trade agreements and opportunities, and the persistent lag in business investment across the country.
How Businesses Can Access Government Funds To Offset The Bill 148 Wage Increase
Bill 148 is here, $14/hr minimum wage is now a reality, and the first paycheques at the new rate have gone out. This has been the GNCC’s top advocacy priority since it was announced, and we have done an enormous amount of work on behalf of Niagara’s business community, but there are some things you can do right now as a business owner to help offset the costs of this increase.
The Government of Ontario has announced that, to encourage youth hiring, employers will be rewarded with a $1,000 payment when they hire an employee aged 15-29 and a second $1,000 payment when that employee reaches their six-month anniversary.
OCC Statement on Minimum Wage
There has been much discussion in recent weeks about the unintended consequences of Bill 148, the legislation that introduced a higher minimum wage in Ontario and extended numerous labour and employment standards provisions. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and our members understand the intent of the legislation.
We also understand that evidence-based public policy must be fundamental in a properly functioning democracy. For months, the OCC has forewarned that these changes will lead to significant job loss, a 50% increase in inflation over and above what would otherwise be expected in the next few years, and an acceleration toward automation.
Niagara’s Jobless Rate Remains High
Niagara just cannot seem to shake the economic blues. While the unemployment rate in Canada fell to 5.7 per cent last month — the lowest rate since 1976 — Niagara’s jobless rate continued to hover around the seven per cent mark.
According to Statistics Canada’s seasonally adjusted labour force data, the unemployment rate for St. Catharines-Niagara fell to 6.8 per cent from 7.1 per cent from November to December — but remained higher than the national and provincial numbers. Statistics Canada says Ontario’s unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent in December.
MEMBERS
IN THE NEWS
Promote Your Career Opportunities
The GNCC and the Niagara Chinese Business Council (NCBC) want to help promote your job opportunities. We are connecting local businesses with new grads at Brock University’s Grad Send-Off Career Fair on February 6th.
Send any current career opportunities you have to events.admin@gncc.ca. Your job posting will be handed out to the university graduates, so please be sure to include your contact information.
Mount Carmel Puts Faith in Wine
Wines made at monasteries have always been highly regarded. In fact, some might say that quality wines were perfected in the Middle Ages by monks. The brothers of Mount Carmel Monastery hope to continue that tradition, this time on Canadian soil.
The Niagara Falls monastery was founded in 1875 by the Carmelites, a Roman Catholic religious order. In 2013, it partnered with Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake to create Monastery Cellars.
Looking For Help This Summer? Why Not Hire A Student? Financial Assistance For Wages Is Available!
Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative. It provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees to create summer jobs for students between the ages of 15 and 30.
The application form as well as the applicant guide are currently available at www.canada.ca/canada-summer-jobs. Submit your application online, by mail or in person at any Service Canada Centre. The application period ends February 2, 2018.
The T. Roy Adams Humanitarian of the Year Award Is Now Accepting Nominations
T. Roy Adams was an eminent Niagaran, well known throughout the Region, Canada, and abroad for his service to God, his country and his fellow citizens.
In memory of the late Councillor T. Roy Adams, Niagara Region initiated a memorial award in 2003 in his name to honour a resident of Niagara who best exemplifies Roy’s values and dedication to community service; a person who sees volunteerism as an integral part of their life.
Annual Singathon Returns to Seaway Mall
Chorus Niagara will hold their 12th annual Singathon fundraiser with the goal of raising $50,000 to support the organization’s five-concert performance season at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
Funds are also used to enhance youth initiatives including the Robert Cooper Choral Scholars Program, The Side-by-Side High School Chorale and the Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir. The public is invited to attend this free 5-hour choral marathon.
NEYA Bestowed Award Recipients Announced
The Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards is proud to announce Len Pennachetti as the 24th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, and Larry Boggio as the Jan R. Cook Community Contribution Award Recipient.
Both Pennechetti and Boggio will be formally awarded at the 24th Annual NEYA Awards Gala being held Friday, February 23rd at White Oaks. Early Bird pricing ends January 25th.
Free Kitchen Removal from Habitat for Humanity Niagara
Planning a kitchen renovation this year? The Habitat for Humanity Niagara ReStore Salvage Program has a team of expertly trained volunteers and Habitat team members that will remove your existing kitchen FREE of charge and you’ll receive a tax receipt for the donation.
You can save hundreds in contractor and waste disposal fees by donating your kitchen to our Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Proceeds support Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s homebuilding program.
Niagara College Among Those Recognized by Boys and Girls Club of Niagara
The Boys and Girls Club of Niagara held its annual Champions for Children Gala this past Friday, recognizing Niagara College and others for their work supporting Niagara’s children.
The Champions for Children Award recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the development and well-being of children and youth in Niagara. Niagara College was recognized for several initiatives.
GoFundMe Launched for Tomorrow’s Voices Children’s Choir
Tomorrow’s Voices is a barrier-free choir for children between the ages 7-17 in Niagara recruited from various social and charitable agencies. The choir is a unique opportunity to bring the kids together each week and sing under the guidance of professional recording and touring artists.
The choiry would not exist without the assistance of generous sponsors and donors. The GoFundMe campaign will provide much needed support to continue the weekly choir sessions and postsecondary education for graduating choir members.
NETWORK
NEWS
Effective Trade Requires Strong Enforceable Dispute Settlement
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce continues to closely follow the recent developments concerning Canada’s request for consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the United States’ use of trade remedy measures.
“The U.S. and Canada share one of the largest and most integrated trade relationships in the world. While disputes are bound to happen, they must not define our relationship,” said the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
2 Canadian Ways to Play a Strengthening U.S. Economy
It’s tough to be a Canadian investor these days. Our neighbours south of the border are outperforming the TSX by a wide margin, and we’re not even a month into 2018. To rub more salt to the wound, many Canadians are worried about the risk of President Trump’s rip-up of NAFTA, which would be a gut punch to many businesses across the nation.
It seems like the U.S. and Canada are heading in opposite directions; corporate taxes and regulations are being slashed in the U.S., but without a corporate tax cut of our own, Canada stands to be even less of an attractive place to invest for foreign and domestic investors alike.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce Pre-Budget Submission
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce partnered to provided the Ontario government with 11 recommendations for the upcoming provincial budget that will help businesses manage costs and secure the province’s competitive advantage.
The submission calls on the government to implement taxation reforms and smart infrastructure and transportation spending to maximize growth and benefit all regions of Ontario. The Chamber Network is recommending that the government reinstate the scheduled corporate income tax rate cut from 11.5% to 10%.
RENEWING MEMBERS:
DECEMBER 2017
The following members renewed their membership in November for another year. Thank you for supporting the Chamber — and supporting business in Niagara.
MEMBER
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.
MEMBER
PARTNERS
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