Niagara women: ‘We need a level playing field’

October 14, 2016 | In The News, WIN

Niagara business woman Cyndi LoForti-Lepp was one of hundreds of people who attended the the Women in Niagara Council’s annual Women in Business Awards on Friday. Phoot by Mike DiBattista, Niagara Falls Review

On the same week a report ranked St. Catharines/Niagara near the bottom of major metropolitan areas for women to work and live, many of the region’s top business women had reason to celebrate.

The Women in Niagara Council’s annual Women in Business Awards recognized some of the area’s top female entrepreneurs in a region which finished dead last in full-time employment for women, according to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Of the 25 cities ranked, only Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Oshawa and Windsor fared worse.

The top three cities were Victoria, Kingston and London.

While Niagara women are well-educated, ranking ninth, it’s a matter of finding opportunities, says Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce president Mishka Balsom.

“Women have to leave Niagara to pursue those careers,” she says, referring to an upcoming economic summit (Oct. 27) which will look at the “myths and realities” of the job sector in Niagara.

“The question is, do we have enough people for the jobs that are here, or do we have the jobs but not the people that can actually fill those jobs? It’s a situation we need to get ahead of.”

Niagara-on-the-Lake interior designer Cyndi LoForti-Lepp says it’s “key” for more women to get involved.

“Whether that’s in politics, in the municipal level, regional level…we have to be involved to make change,” she says. “We have to drive that forward.

“The reasons women have been successful that I know and work alongside of is because we have been involved. We haven’t sat on the sidelines and complained, we’ve said, ‘Excuse me, you need to pay attention to us.’ We need a level playing field.”

The report ranked Niagara 23 in leadership, citing a lack of women in political positions. In St. Catharines, women make up only 13 percent of city council.

“It’s always a very real challenge for women to be involved in politics because of our commitment to our family,” she says. “However, we still need to make the effort to get involved.”

For singer Juliet Dunn, co-founder of the Niagara Jazz Festival, Niagara has been nothing but positive.

“I just kind of stopped in Niagara,” she says. “I always wanted to pursue Montreal because I lived in France and I’m bilingual, and when people say ‘Why don’t you live in Montreal?’…well, because things are going pretty good here.”

She finds the area flush with “strong women’s groups,” but agrees there needs to be more women on Niagara councils.

“More of a 50/50 than a 20/80 split,” she says.

Caron Strauss-Blom, owner of Citrus Boutique in St. Catharines, disagrees with the report.

“I am strongly supported by local women,” she says.

“I so don’t agree with (the report). You’ve got to work at it, it’s not easy. We do a lot of social media and whatnot, but in order to get you have to give.”

Rhonda Taylor, director of member service with PenFinancial Credit Union, finds the opportunities in Niagara are actually attracting people from outside the region, in contrast to what the report suggests.

“Once people get here and see what there is to offer and the great opportunities, while limited, that it is a great place,” she says. “You have to get a bit of fight in you to make sure that we’re relevant.”

Balsom says the factors which contributed to Niagara’s low ranking “have been there for a long time,” and the culture won’t change unless women occupy more leadership roles.

“If there’s a balance around the board table, if there’s a balance in an organization, it usually reflects in the decision-making,” she says. “There are very progressive boards that adhere to that. We at the GNCC are very close to that, close to 50/50, the best we’ve ever been.”

Winners of the Women in Business Awards, held at the Crowne Plaza Friday:

  • Community Spirit Award: Cathy Berkhout-Bosse, My Pelham
  • Business of Science & Technology Award: Sandra Buffet, Jordan Engineering
  • Business Leadership Award: Carolyne Watts, General Motors
  • Emerging Business Award: Allie Hughes, Hughes & Co.
  • Cultural Arts Award: Juliet Dunn, Niagara Jazz Festival
  • Social Enterprise Award: Stacy Elia, Grimsby Benevolent Fund
  • Excellence in Tourism Award: Karen Whitty, 13 Street Winery
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Turner, Canadian Tire Bank

jlaw@postmedia.com

Original article: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/10/14/niagara-women-we-need-a-level-playing-field

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Gates surprised at what Premier didn’t say during Niagara Falls visit

October 13, 2016 | In The News

Wayne Gates was surprised by what Premier Kathleen Wynne didn’t talk about during her stop in the city this past week, particularly the high cost of hydro and the progress toward a new hospital to serve south Niagara.

“I was actually surprised she didn’t raise it herself when she was in Niagara Falls,” Gates said after learning of the Premier’s comments about the hospital during a visit to a daycare centre in Pelham after she had spoken to the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce at the Scotiabank Convention Centre.

“I thought next to hydro, (the hospital) was the next big issue and she didn’t mention it at all.”

At the Pelham stop, Wynne was asked by Niagara this Week to comment on the hospital’s progress.

“No decisions have been made,” the premier said, noting a $26-million provincial investment has been made in the form of a planning grant for a new hospital.

Under the current Niagara Health plan, its site in Welland faces closure alongside the Greater Niagara General site in favour of amalgamation of services at a new site in Niagara Falls.

 “There’s been a system look,” said Wynne. “That work is ongoing.”

But Gates is wondering what is taking so long, and he addressed the matter recently at Queen’s Park.

“They have their Phase 2 plan that now shows specifics of what will go into each unit ready to be submitted in November, but they can’t do that yet,” Gates said. “They can’t submit their Phase 2 plan because phase 1 hasn’t been approved yet. That is simply unacceptable.”

But Gates said he has spoken with Minister of Health Eric Hoskins, who assured him that plans are still on track.

“He said it was good to continue to raise it,” Gates said. “He appreciated the fact that I raised it. I would consider it a positive discussion. He is fully aware of the need.”

In July three south-Niagara mayors — Wainfleet’s April Jeffs, Port Colborne’s John Maloney and Welland’s Frank Campion — along with Niagara Centre NDP MPP Cindy Forster met with provincial Minister of Health Eric Hoskins to discuss the future of the hospital services in the area following up on a prior meeting in February.

All three mayors have publicly opposed the new plan. During the meeting they were told the plan is not yet final.

Critics of the plan for a new hospital in Niagara Falls that would result in a closure of Niagara Health’s Welland site said the government needs to give a clear signal on what it intends to do about health care in Niagara’s southern tier.

“Niagara Falls needs a new hospital and we wholeheartedly support the call for the Wynne government to give clear answers on this,” said Sue Hotte, chair of the Niagara Health Coalition. “But Welland and the region need their hospital protected also. The government cannot continue to pit community against community in a false competition that, in the end, would see not enough hospital services for anyone in Niagara. It is not about one town winning and others losing. If there are not enough beds and services, everyone in the region loses.”

Natalie Mehra, chair of the Ontario Health Coalition, was even more blunt.

“First the McGuinty and now the Wynne government have steamrolled through the closure of one entire hospital in Niagara and made draconian cuts to the remaining south Niagara hospitals,” she said. “These are among the worst cuts in Ontario despite unsafe hospital overcrowding, high death rates, and clear evidence of population need. As a result of the cuts, patients – most of them elderly – are transferred repeatedly from town to town, creating hardship for them and their families and communities.”

Gates, meanwhile, said when the time comes to finally build the hospital, every effort needs to be made to use local labour on the project including tradespeople, engineers, architects and labourers.

— With files from Steve Henschel/Staff

rhutton@niagarathisweek.com

Original article: http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/6908915-gates-surprised-at-what-premier-didn-t-say-during-niagara-falls-visit/

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Wynne to face questions at Falls luncheon

October 6, 2016 | In The News

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will be answering questions from the public during a luncheon in Niagara Falls Tuesday.

Any guesses what the No. 1 topic will be?

“Hydro?” says Mishka Balsom, president of Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, which co-sponsors the event with the Niagara Industrial Association.

“I foresee a number of questions on this. Hydro is a very big one and I think it’s going to be the number one (issue).”

The luncheon takes place at Scotiabank Convention Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. After a short address, Wynne will open the floor to business members and members of the public.

While Balsom expects questions about Ontario’s debt, housing intensification, and cap and trade to surface, swelling hydro rates will likely dominate the conversation.

“It’s a huge problem, and it’s spilling over from the business community to residential concerns,” she says. “From 2004 to now, the electricity prices in Ontario have gone (up) 375 per cent.”

Two weeks ago, Wynne was booed by a crowd at the opening ceremonies of the International Plowing Match in Minto, Ont. Balsom isn’t sure what the reaction will be in Niagara Falls, but is thrilled Wynne is willing to hear firsthand from Niagara’s business community.

“There’s a place for good conversation, and a way to communicate one’s concerns,” she says. “It’s a hot-button item people are concerned about, and emotions could run strong and high on this particular issue. We’re aware of that.

“But I think Niagarans always have shown they have good communication skills and the ability to get their point across. We hope that will continue, but we’re aware this is a really intense issue.”

Balsom says the luncheon comes after extensive conversations with Niagara’s business community to pinpoint their concerns.

“In an effort to effect change, we need a dialogue with the current provincial government.”

Tickets for the event are $45, available at www.gncc.ca.

jlaw@postmedia.com

Original article: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/10/05/wynne-to-face-questions-at-falls-luncheon

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Premier Kathleen Wynne to speak in Niagara

October 6, 2016 | Media Releases

On October 11, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Niagara Industrial Association will host the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, in Niagara Falls.

At an exclusive luncheon at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, Premier Wynne will address the Niagara business community on Ontario’s economic plan, including recent initiatives in electricity, education and skills, infrastructure and low-carbon innovation.

The Premier will deliver a presentation on how her balanced plan is building Ontario up for workers and businesses in Niagara and across the province – and what comes next.

The keynote will be followed by a fireside chat. This is a rare opportunity to engage with a sitting Premier of Ontario — right in our own community. The Premier will answer questions on Ontario’s economic future and on how her government is working to secure it.

When: October 11, 11:30am-2pm
Where: Scotiabank Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls
More Info and Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/honourable-kathleen-wynne-niagara-business-leadership-series-tickets-28343795054

 

The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is the champion for the Niagara business community. With almost 1,600 members representing 50,000 employees, it is the largest business organization in Niagara and the third largest Chamber in Ontario. The Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada has recognized the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce with its highest level of distinction.

For further information, contact:

Mishka Balsom
President & CEO
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
905-684-2361 ext. 227 or mishka@gncc.ca

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Waived fees leads to more development in Port Colborne

October 3, 2016 | In The News

The City of Port Colborne is looking to “keep the momentum going” by continuing to waive development charges for residential buildings.

Waiving charges started two years ago and since then there has been a dramatic increase in development interest in the city, said development and planning director Dan Aquilina.

“The amount of building permits we’ve received since that waiver has shown that the market is turning,” he said.

He said in previous years, there would typically be six or seven homes built, but that number increased to 15 homes for 2015. For 2016, the city is sitting at about 25 homes being developed.

Aquilina said waiving fees could be seen as an incentive for people to develop in Port Colborne.

“I’ve heard in my time here it’s expensive to develop. It’s not cheap because you have your building permits, those fees, but they’re nominal, minimal,” he said.

“But it’s the development charges that hit harder on people because it’s not only the municipality that collects development charges, it’s the Region of Niagara that has development charges, too.”

Mishka Balsom, president and chief executive officer of Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, said her chamber encouraged the city to continue waiving fees for another year because of the increase it has seen in development. She also feels the city could see a construction boom because of it.

“If you’re a developer and you can build residential homes and the development charges are being spared in it, it’s a huge venture for people to look at,” she said.

One of the things Port Colborne has going for it, too, is land. Balsom said there is still a lot available in Port Colborne,

Aquilina said, “The activity we’re seeing now is within the built boundaries of the city. The roads are there, the services are there. The lots are vacant, so you just have to tap into the existing sewer or water line.”

Even with the city waiving development fees, there isn’t any worry about losing money in the long run.

“Although the city won’t collect the development charges immediately, in the long term they will develop more property taxes,” said Balsom. “So it will offset the charges that they might not be able to collect now with something they will be able to collect later.”

Aquilina said the city also sees it as a positive because it’s helping make development more affordable for people.

lbarton@postmedia.com

Original article http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2016/10/03/waived-fees-leads-to-more-development-in-port-colborne

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Savour Niagara on CogecoTV

September 23, 2016 | In The News

The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce hosted “Savour Niagara” Thursday at The Niagara District Airport – where guests enjoyed the culinary creations of chefs from local businesses paired with delicious VQA wines & craft brews from the Niagara Region. Valentina Garcia files this report.

Original article: http://www.tvcogeco.com/niagara/gallery/the-source/8033-sept-2016/109937-savour-niagara

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Niagara Economic Summit will Bust Economic Myths

September 22, 2016 | Media Releases

On October 27th, Niagara’s leaders in business, government, non-profits and community will convene again for this year’s Niagara Economic Summit, hosted by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.

This year, the Summit will dive into myths and misconceptions about Niagara’s economy. A range of panellists and speakers from business, government, and non-profits will bring out the truth about Niagara’s most pressing economic concerns.

The first theme to be explored is Niagara’s job market. Some say it’s a slack labour market and that it’s hard to find work here. Others believe Niagara has plenty of jobs if you know where to look, and the biggest problem is that employers can’t find good people. Helmut Pastrick, chief economist of Central 1 Credit Union and editor of Economic Analysis of Ontario and Economic Analysis of British Columbia, will deliver a plenary address on the labour market, and then join a panel of experts that will attempt to answer this burning question.

The Summit will also dive into the question of the skills gap, aiming to establish whether it’s real, and if so, what its extent and nature are. A panel of experts from diverse backgrounds including recruiting agencies, major HR departments, trades education and organized labour will join plenary speaker David Tsubouchi, President of the Ontario College of Trades, on this subject.

Finally, the subject of the millennial generation will be addressed. Educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders will investigate what makes the millennials tick, and how there’s good business in hiring and marketing to that generation. Brand Blvd. Vice-President Chris Sinclair will explain how his business prospered with both.

For anyone interested in Niagara’s economy and the future of business in the region, this is one event that cannot be missed. For a complete list of speakers, further information, and to register for the Summit, visit https://gncc.ca/economicsummit/.

 

The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is the champion for the Niagara business community. With almost 1,600 members representing 50,000 employees, it is the largest business organization in Niagara and the third largest Chamber in Ontario. The Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada has recognized the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce with its highest level of distinction.

For further information, contact:

Mishka Balsom
President & CEO
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
905-684-2361 ext. 227 or mishka@gncc.ca

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Chambers support regulated free market for rec pot

September 22, 2016 | In The News

Ontario should open legalized recreational pot to regulated private-sector distributors and retailers, says Niagara’s largest business chamber.

The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) in appealing to Premier Kathleen Wynne to reject a LCBO-based model for that distribution, and allow for a conditional free market.

Mishka Balsom, CEO of the Greater Niagara chamber, adds the chamber isn’t saying the federal move is the “right or wrong choice.”

As things are already headed in that direction, what’s important is “where do we go from here?”

She said predicted sales in Ontario by 2024 could be $1 billion to $2 billion … ”the question is where do people purchase this?”

It’s also important to look at where production facilities are located — in Niagara, that includes medical marijuana greenhouse grower Tweed Farms in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and others, said Balsom.

“We’re saying get ahead of it … be part of the consultations that are actively taking place to determine those (location and other) factors.”

Given concerns about the existing LCBO monopoly model and its barriers, it’s also key the province doesn’t “move forward and say ‘It’s only available there, and nowhere else,’” Balsom said.

“A regulated private-sector distribution model can possibly be developed, bring the private sector to the table on this.”

In April, Health Minister Jane Philpott announced marijuana legalization laws would be introduced next spring, with the federal government later announcing a task force to study how regulation could work.

Given this, the OCC’s letter to Premier Wynne is supported by a media release sent out Friday by the Greater Niagara chamber, which states the legalization or decriminalization of recreational marijuana is a foregone conclusion.

The OCC is calling on the province to begin a “robust consultative process” to develop a regulatory framework for the distribution of recreation marijuana.

The Greater Niagara chamber says it spearheaded the OCC initiative with a policy proposal at the provincial chamber’s recent annual general meeting.

On Sunday, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce also gave its approval.

In it, the Ontario chamber says any policy where marijuana becomes available should ensure the underground economy is eliminated, access points are limited, investments are made in addiction prevention and treatments, and communities should have decision-making power.

The government must also ensure marijuana products are subject to best-practice health regulations.

The Niagara chamber’s supporting release adds granting a monopoly on the industry to the LCBO or a similar, government-run organization would not be “in the best interest of Ontario consumers, the public, or business.”

It argues LCBO functions as a barrier to entry for entrepreneurs and businesses in alcoholic beverages. It says the model is “out-dated and hamstrung Niagara’s wineries, breweries and distilleries for nearly a century, slowing job creation and economic growth.”

“A free-market model has been proven, countless times, to deliver the best in product quality and consumer choice,” it says.

“The sudden emergence of a new, legal market will transform what was criminal, black-market activity into jobs, economic growth, tax revenues, and more.”

Dolores Fabiano, executive director of the Niagara Falls, Port-Colborne-Wainfleet and Welland/Pelham chambers, said should the government move forward with legalizing recreational marijuana those chambers would support the initiative.

“It would be important to implement a means of safely retailing marijuana without giving the LCBO or any other monopoly control over this new and lucrative market,” Fabiano said.

“Business should have a role, and could help ensure that the current underground network already well established would be impacted, by not making marijuana more difficult or awkward to purchase.”

Christine Bujold, LCBO’s media relations coordinator, responded to the chambers’ call to open up legalized recreational marijuana to the free market.

In a Monday e-mail to The Standard, Bujold said the LCBO is paying “close attention” as the federal government works through the process.

“We would take our direction from the provincial government when it comes to any role LCBO may have in retailing cannabis,” Bujold said. “The LCBO has formed an internal working group that is actively reviewing publicly available information which may be useful to us, should LCBO be given this added responsibility.”

In a release last month, the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union said a new province-wide poll shows “Ontarians support the strict regulation and control of marijuana sales to keep it out of the hands of children, and trust the LCBO to do it following legalization.”

The Aug. 30 release said the Nanos Research poll found 41 per cent of Ontarians ranked the LCBO as their first choice for where legal marijuana should be sold.

It said the majority of these respondents cited the procedures that are in place and the LCBO’s experience with controlled substances, as well as the controlled environment, as their rationale.

St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley could not immediately be reached for comment.

donfraser@postmedia.com
Twitter: @don_standard

Original article: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/09/19/chambers-support-regulated-free-market-for-rec-pot

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15-minute Toronto flight draws customers

September 21, 2016 | In The News

Interest has taken off in the new weekday air service connecting Niagara to Toronto.

Passenger flights began running to and from Niagara District Airport in Niagara-on-the-Lake last Thursday and the response has been better than expected, said Chris Nowrouzi, president and CEO of Greater Toronto Airways.

“We are very happy with the way things are going,” he said, adding several sell-out flights have been booked for the coming weeks.

Since operations began, there have been three full planes with a handful of customers on the remaining flights between the two communities, he said.

“It’s much better than we were expecting for the start.”

The Piper Chieftain used for the service has a six-passenger executive or eight-passenger commuter configuration.

Flights depart Niagara District Airport at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., travelling to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, also known as Toronto Island Airport.

Flights from Toronto to Niagara depart at 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

It costs $85 ($96 after tax) for a one-way ticket and $159 for roundtrip ($180 after tax).

The airline has been seeing its lowest numbers on the 7 a.m. flights from Toronto to Niagara, but has not yet made any determination about whether that time will be adjusted.

Because the bookings are going so well, Nowrouzi said, the company is considering adding additional runs throughout the day.

However, a decision is unlikely to be made for at least another month until more “concrete numbers” are available.

Those added flights, which would not immediately require fleet expansion, would also take place during the week to help accommodate the demand being seen, Nowrouzi said.

Weekends are not yet on the radar.

To continue to grow its clientele base, Greater Toronto Airways is using a number of outlets to help advertise the service.

“We’re on billboards all around Toronto and on the Gardiner Expressway, so people sitting in traffic get to see us quite a bit,” Nowrouzi said lightheartedly. “We also have a couple of firms on the Niagara side working for us.”

There has been a lot of excitement from the business community, he said, calling it a much-needed addition to Niagara’s transportation network.

“I think it was a long time coming.”

Since the service was announced Aug. 9, “we’ve had hundreds of e-mails from people expressing their interest and their gratitude about us finally connecting the two cities,” he said.

The flights between Niagara and Toronto take about 15 minutes.

While operations have been free of turbulence thus far, there will likely be some minor tweaks made moving forward, Nowrouzi said.

Those changes will be determined through discussions with customers, he added.

There has been some interest expressed in seeing the morning flight to Toronto take off about 30 minutes earlier, at 8 a.m., to give passengers “some breathing room to get into the city to their meetings,” he said. “That’s the only change we might see in the short term.”

Nowrouzi called customer service the airline’s No. 1 priority.

As a result, responding and adapting to customer feedback is key, he said.

“In the new year we’ll be looking at the service, what we need to change, how we can make it better and (whether) we need to expand.”

Airport commission chairman Gary Murphy said the group is pleased with how the service has been progressing.

He felt some of the initial flights were a little light on passengers, but that “loads are picking up.”

“With a little bit more marketing, I think it will really do well.”

Airport management, he said, plans to work with the airline to introduce company officials to local tourism associations and other relevant businesses and agencies.

Murphy said there has been near daily communication between the commission and the airline to ensure the operation runs smoothly.

“We have a really strong vested interest in this becoming a success. We’re not passive, by any stretch of the imagination.”

After about a month of operations, the commission intends to conduct an analysis of the service’s clientele.

“We want to know who those passengers are, where they’re coming from and what the purpose is for their travel. We want to know the demographics.”

For more information, visit flygta.com.

mfirth@postmedia.com

Original article: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2016/09/20/15-minute-toronto-flights-draw-customers

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