Member Blog

Chamber Connects - May 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:06:00 GMT

We recently introduced Chamber Connects for our members, a creative version of speed networking. For our May event, we had 28 participants, and the room was vibrant with enthusiastic networkers. The energy in the room was very positive, and people really looked like they were connecting. We are, of course, very grateful to SuitePerks for their sponsorship of the venue for this event. We hope you can join us for the next one!

Here are a couple of photos from the event, check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BarrieChamber to see more!

What is Chamber Connects? We like to think of it as a creative version of speed networking. Rather than the very intense one-on-one setup used in traditional speed networking, Chamber Connects gives you the opportunity to speak to a table full of potential contacts, and then answer any questions they may have. Each person at the table gets this same opportunity, and the connections you make are much more conversational and interactive, which is a great foundation for building long-lasting business relationships. After each person at the table has taken their turn, you all get up, switch tables, and start making even more connections!

This full afternoon event is a great investment of your time and energy to build your business network - so mark your calendars, gather up your business cards & promotional materials, and register today!

Mac AND PC – Sharing Contacts: Can’t we just get along?

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:09:00 GMT

Trying to figure out a way to get your contacts and calendars to play nice when switching between devices? If your company uses Exchange together with Outlook, this may not be the article for you, but for your personal contacts/calendar, keep reading.

The most ideal solution is to use “cloud” services such as Google, iCloud or Office 365. These keep your data – and any changes you make to that data – synced no matter the device. We happen to embrace all three options, but we’ll focus on Google in today’s post.

Many clients tell us that they fear cloud-based services because of potential security breaches or loss of data should the cloud crash. We try to help them understand that cloud options are just another way of backing up your important contact and calendar data. We also point out that Google has always been in the cloud, with great stamina and stability (think Gmail).

Google accounts are free and in addition to the calendar and contact management services you’ll also gain access to other Google tools like Google Drive (formerly Google Docs). You can create an account by visiting gmail.com.

Import your main contact list/database to Google

Before uploading your contacts, we suggest reviewing them to get rid of any outdated data. Next, you’ll need to create a vCard or CSV version of your list. The instructions on how to do this are here.

Set up your Google account on your mobile device

Your mobile device likely has its own contacts and calendar apps. Most also offer a way to sync their app with Google Contacts and Calendar. Please use the following links to find the setup instructions for your mobile device:

iOS (iPhone/iPod/iPad)
Android
BlackBerry

Sync Google with your Mac or PC

On Windows (Outlook)
Here you’ll need a third party app. We haven’t come across any easy, reliable and consistent options for this. Currently we’re using the Outlook4Gmail plugin. It doesn’t automatically sync when new data is added to Outlook or Gmail, but with a few clicks of your mouse you can do it yourself (go to Tools -> Outlook4Gmail -> Update).

On your Mac
Syncing couldn’t be easier. Open your Contacts (formerly Address Book) app, go to Preferences -> Accounts -> On My Mac, then check the box marked “Synchronize with Google.” You will be prompted to enter your Google login credentials, and you’re done!

Things to remember:

Syncing is a two-way street. If you alter/delete data accidentally, Google offers a way to restore contact files for up to 30 days. You can also customize what you want or don’t want to sync. Just head to the sync settings and make your choices there.

Deborah Alcock owns Clickety-Quick, which provides software training and programming using the productivity tools already available on your computer or mobile device(s). We specialize in office suite packages for PC and Mac with some iPhone and iPad on the side. Contact Deborah at deborah@clickety-quick.com or 705-720-2888.

VIDEO: 2013 Barrie Business Progress Breakfast

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:48:00 GMT

The Mayor's 2013 Annual Business Progress Breakfast event was sold out again this year, and it's fantastic to see so many business people interested in our business community. The City filmed the event, and have placed it on their website to allow those who weren't able to attend the opportunity to stay up to date. Please visit the URL below to watch the video.

http://www.barrie.ca/City%20Hall/MayorCouncil/Pages/MayorsBusinessBreakfast.aspx

CRA/ARC - Reminder: 2012 Tax Deadline

Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

English version ***La version française suit***

Reminder - Tuesday, April 30, 2013 is the deadline to file your 2012 income tax and benefit return and pay any balance owing

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) encourages you to use its quick, easy, and secure electronic services to file your income tax and benefit return on time and pay any amount owing by the deadline. You have until midnight on April 30, 2013, to file your 2012 income tax and benefit return and to pay any balance owing.

If you, your spouse, or common-law partner is self-employed, your deadline to file your 2012 return has been extended until midnight on June 17, 2013, as June 15 falls on a Saturday. However, you still have to pay any balance owing by April 30, 2013.

The CRA invites you to join the growing number of Canadians who are filing electronically. NETFILE is one of the CRA's electronic tax-filing options. It allows you to file your individual income tax return over the Internet quickly and easily, which means a faster refund. For a list of software and Web service options, including some that are completely free of charge, go to www.netfile.gc.ca/software.

If you have a balance owing, you can make your payment using your financial institution's telephone or Internet banking service. For more information about online payments, go to www.cra.gc.ca/payments or contact your financial institution. You can also make a payment using the CRA's My Payment service. My Payment lets you make one or more payments in one simple online transaction. You can use this service if you have access to online banking at a participating financial institution.

For tips that will help you get ready to file your 2012 tax return, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.

Are you worried you can't pay your full tax bill by April 30?

Even if you cannot pay all of your balance owing right away, you should still file your return by April 30 to avoid a late-filing penalty. If you can't pay the full amount of tax you owe, you may be able to make a payment arrangement. If the CRA agrees that you are not able to make a full payment, we can work with you to develop a plan to help you pay your taxes. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/paymentarrangements or contact us at 1-888-863-8657. Our agents are available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern time.

If you need help at tax time, the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) is an automated telephone service that provides personal and general tax information to individuals. You can call TIPS at 1‑800‑267‑6999. The CRA is also offering extended evening and weekend hours on the individual income tax enquiries telephone lines until April 30, 2013. This service is available at 1‑800‑959‑8281.

For more information on our telephone service extended hours, go to www.cra.gc.ca/extendedhours.

Stay connected
To receive updates when new information is added to our Web site, you can:
• Follow the CRA on Twitter – @CanRevAgency.
• Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list.
• Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader.

You can also watch our tax-related videos on YouTube.

Version française ***The English version precedes***

Rappel – Vous avez jusqu'au 30 avril 2013 pour produire votre déclaration de revenus et de prestations de 2012 et payer tout solde dû

L'Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC) vous encourage à utiliser ses services en ligne rapides, faciles et sécurisés pour produire votre déclaration de revenus et de prestation et pour payer tout montant dû avant la date limite. Vous avez jusqu'au 30 avril 2013, à minuit, pour produire votre déclaration de revenus et de prestations de 2012 et régler tout solde dû.

Si vous, votre époux ou conjoint de fait êtes un travailleur indépendant, la date limite pour produire votre déclaration de 2012 a été prolongée jusqu'au 17 juin 2013, à minuit, parce que le 15 juin est un samedi. Toutefois, vous devez quand même payer votre solde dû au plus tard le 30 avril 2013.

L'ARC vous invite à vous joindre au nombre croissant de Canadiens qui produisent leur déclaration par voie électronique. IMPÔTNET est l'une des options de production électronique de déclarations que l'ARC vous offre. C'est un moyen facile et rapide de produire votre déclaration des particuliers par Internet et d'obtenir votre remboursement plus vite. Pour consulter la liste des logiciels et les options de service Web, y compris ceux qui sont gratuits, allez à www.impotnet.gc.ca/logiciel.

Si vous avez un solde dû, vous pouvez le payer en utilisant les services bancaires par téléphone ou par Internet de votre institution financière. Pour en savoir plus sur les paiements en ligne, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/paiements ou contactez votre institution financière. Vous pouvez également faire votre paiement en utilisant le service Mon paiement de l'ARC. Ce service vous permet de faire un ou plusieurs paiements au moyen d'une simple opération en ligne. Vous pouvez utiliser ce service si vous avez accès aux services bancaires en ligne d'une institution financière participante.

Pour obtenir des conseils pratiques qui vous aideront à produire votre déclaration de revenus de 2012, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/preparezvous.

Vous ne pourrez pas payer au complet l'impôt que vous devez au plus tard le 30 avril?

Même si vous ne pouvez pas payer tout votre solde dû à la date limite, produisez quand même votre déclaration d'ici le 30 avril pour éviter de payer une pénalité pour production tardive. Si vous ne pouvez pas payer votre solde dû en entier, vous pourriez faire une entente de paiements. Si l'ARC détermine que vous ne pouvez pas payer votre solde en entier, un de ses agents peut conclure une entente avec vous pour vous aider à payer vos impôts. Pour en savoir plus, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/ententepaiement ou communiquez avec l'ARC au 1‑888-863-8661. Ses agents sont à votre disposition du lundi au vendredi (sauf les jours fériés) de 7 h à 23 h, heure de l'Est.

Si vous avez besoin d'aide pour remplir votre déclaration de revenus des particuliers, le Système électronique de renseignements par téléphone (SERT) peut vous fournir des renseignements personnels et généraux en matière d'impôt. Pour utiliser le SERT, composez le 1-800-267-6999. De plus, les heures d'ouverture de notre service téléphonique de renseignements sur l'impôt des particuliers seront prolongées en soirée et la fin de semaine jusqu'au 30 avril 2013. Ce service est accessible au 1-800-959-7383.

Pour en savoir plus sur les heures prolongées du service téléphonique, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/heuresprolongees.

Soyez branché
Pour recevoir des mises à jour lorsque nous ajoutons de nouveaux renseignements à notre site Web, vous pouvez :
• Suivre l'ARC sur Twitter – @AgenceRevCan.
• Vous abonner à une liste d'envois électroniques de l'ARC.
• Ajouter nos fils RSS à votre lecteur de nouvelles.

Vous pouvez aussi allez sur YouTube pour regarder nos vidéos sur l'impôt.

OCC RAPID POLICY UPDATE: ENBRIDGE PIPELINES PROPOSING TO REVERSE LINE 9

Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

OCC RAPID POLICY UPDATE: ENBRIDGE PIPELINES IS PROPOSING TO REVERSE LINE 9. WHAT IS THE PROPOSAL? WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ONTARIO AND COMMUNITIES?

What is Line 9?

Built in the mid-1970s, Line 9 is a pipeline that originally carried oil from Sarnia to Montreal. It was built to provide a secure source of energy to Ontario and Quebec refineries. This line was reversed to flow westbound in the 1990s as oil imports became more affordable. Refineries in Ontario and Quebec now rely significantly on imported crude.

Market conditions now support the reversal of the pipeline to flow from Sarnia to Montreal. Today, western Canadian oil is considerably less expensive than oil currently imported by Ontario and Quebec from the Middle East, Venezuela, Nigeria, and elsewhere.

In July 2012, the National Energy Board approved Enbridge's standalone application to reverse the segment of Line 9 between Sarnia and North Westover (Line 9A).

Enbridge is now proposing to reverse the remainder of the pipeline (Line 9B) from North Westover to Montreal to bring western Canadian and American oil to Ontario and Quebec refineries. The proposal also includes increasing the capacity of Line 9 from 240,000 barrels per day to 300,000 barrels per day.

Line 9B passes through municipalities located along Highway 401 from the Hamilton region to the Quebec border east of Cornwall.

What are the benefits?

The reversal of Line 9 will help keep more Canadian oil revenue and jobs in Ontario and in Canada. It will support the long-term viability our refinery industry by providing access to lower-priced crude. It will also enhance the long-term security of Canada's energy supply.

Ontario is a beneficiary of the reversal of Line 9. During construction, 60% ($73 million) of the total capital costs will be spent within the province. The project will engage local construction workers and local suppliers of steel.

Over the next three decades, the project will create 3,250 person years of employment and provide $960 million in benefits to Ontario refineries. Further, more than $10 million currently flows to municipal tax revenues from the existing line.

Overall, the Line 9 reversal would support Western Canada's oil sector, which will spend an estimated $63 billion in Ontario over the next 25 years.

Find out more and get involved

In coming weeks, Enbridge Pipelines will be consulting communities along the Line 9 route. The OCC encourages its members to find out more and get involved.

To learn more, visit www.enbridge.com/line9b.

Any questions about this issue should be directed to Arielle Baltman-Cord, Senior Policy Associate.

Visit occ.on.ca for more policy analysis from the OCC.

Ontario's future, have your say!

Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Have your say on Ontario's future and score great prizes, including a $250 gift certificate to any Target store in Canada or tickets to see Beyoncé in Toronto!

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), in partnership with Leger Marketing, is conducting a survey. Your responses will inform how the OCC advocates for a more prosperous Ontario.

Click here to take the survey:
https://legerweb.com/OCC_Members_Survey_Spring_2013

It only takes four minutes to complete.

All respondents are entered into a draw to win one of two amazing prizes.

•A $250 gift certificate to any Target store in Canada, courtesy of Target Canada;
•Two tickets to see Beyoncé perform in Toronto on Sunday July 21st (retail value $500), courtesy of Music Canada.

Responses are due by 5pm on May 17th, 2013.

Questions or comments? Contact Liam McGuinty, OCC Senior Policy Analyst, at liammcguinty@occ.on.ca.

Thank you!

Prizes courtesy of

Temporary Foreign Worker Changes Penalise Canadian Businesses

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:18:00 GMT

Yesterday afternoon the government announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers program; the Canadian Chamber of Commerce believes these changes are not in the best interests of Canadian businesses. They have posted their thoughts on their blog. Please click here to view the Canadian Chamber blog post.

61ST ANNUAL BARRIE ROTARY CLUB CHARITY TV/INTERNET AUCTION A HUGE SUCCESS

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:17:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Sunday, April 28, 2013 (Barrie, ON) – The 61st Annual Barrie Rotary Club TV/Internet Auction that aired LIVE on Rogers TV, Sunday, April 28th was a huge success.

Through the generosity of local businesses and professionals who donated items to the charitable residents of Barrie, the Barrie Rotary Club TV/Internet Auction raised over $30,000, surpassing its goal of $25,000. One hundred percent of the proceeds go back into the community to support local organizations like RVH – YMCA Georgian College Wellness Centre, Salvation Army, Peacekeeping Vets Memorial Wall, Grove Park Home and Hospice Simcoe to name a few.

Royal Victoria Hospital Regional Cancer Care Centre, Seasons Centre for Grieving Children, summer camps for children with disabilities, Special Olympics, Georgian College and Hospice Simcoe to name a few.

Each year, the Rotary Club of Barrie gathers items and services generously donated by local businesses and professionals. These items are put up for public Auction LIVE on Rogers TV.

“The Rotary Club of Barrie has been running the Auction for 61 years and from its success we have been able to give back one hundred percent of the Auction proceeds to the community”, says Bill MacDonald, Barrie Rotary Club President. “As a Community Partner, Rogers TV has been a major part of our success which has allowed us to support community projects like the Barrie Library, RVH and individuals in need”, adds MacDonald.

“Barrie and area residents have stepped up to the plate again this year in support of the Auction, said Terry Leigh, Rogers TV Producer. “I am always excited when all the pre-planning and preparation comes together with the goal of raising money for important community organizations. Being a part of a grassroots movement to help support community projects is why year after year we continue to be successful with our LIVE TV Auction. Local truly does matter”, adds Leigh.

“With over $30,000 raised this year, the Barrie Rotary Club will be able to help support a variety of LOCAL organizations, all of whom will benefit greatly, adds Bill MacDonald, Barrie Rotary Club President.

-30-

Rogers TV is a unique TV channel where community members take an active role in conceptualizing and producing programming for local audiences. Our staff and volunteers produce informative and entertaining local programming, reinforcing Rogers’ commitment to the communities we serve. Rogers Communication is Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television, high-speed internet and telephony services. Rogers TV is only available to Rogers’s customers, including the company’s 2.3 million cable customers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. For more information on Rogers Communications Inc., visit www.rogers.com. For more information on Rogers TV, visit www.rogerstvcom.

Locally, Rogers TV, cable channel 10 serves the cities of and surrounding Barrie, Innisfil and Orillia.

For more information, contact:

Lucille E. Dalziel
Publicity & Promotions Coordinator
Rogers TV, Barrie
Tel: 705-737-4660, ext. 6977
Wireless: 705-718-3734
lucille.dalziel@rci.rogers.com

Early Bird Pricing for Annual Golf Tournament - Register in April and SAVE!!

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:11:00 GMT

This year the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce is very excited to announce that the 27th Annual Golf Tournament will be held at National Pines Golf Club! Join us on Monday June 24th, 2013 for a 10am Shotgun Start and a great tournament that promises to be lots of fun as well as a fantastic networking opportunity. Registration is at 9am, and golfers will be treated to breakfast after they sign in.

The price for golfers is just $175 including HST per player - price includes Breakfast, Registration Gift, Cart, Golf, on course contests, Raffle Entry, and steak dinner! If you sign up before the end of April 2013, you will only have to pay $160 including HST - don't miss out on this great saving opportunity!!

There is over $17,000 worth of prizing to be won this year! Including:

Silver Resort Package for 2 Foursomes and an overnight stay
$10,000 Putting Contest
Brand new vehicle from Georgian Buick GMC (Hole-in-One)

Sponsorship opportunities are available at many different levels to fit any budget and get great exposure for your business - for more details please visit barriechamber.com/golf

Visit barriechamber.com/golf today for details and secure online registration!

GRAND OPENING: Dr. Eric Bella & Associates, Optometrists

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:00:00 GMT

Grand Opening

Date: Saturday April 27, 2013
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm
Address: 75 Barrie View Drive Barrie On.
Located beside the Pearle Vision.

Ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Jeff Lehman at 2:30pm

Snacks and refreshments while you view our office and meet our staff

Pearle Vision offering an exclusive one day only 50% off complete pair of glasses

Stop by for your chance to win some great prizes with our GRAND OPENING RAFFLE. All proceeds going to our partner charity One Sight, offering eye care to those in need around the world.

Some Prizes include:
• BBQ gift basket
• A pair of Ray Ban Sunglasses
• Wine and treats gift basket
• Gift cards from M&M meat shops, Tim Hortons, Star Bucks…
• An Ice cream cake voucher from Baskin Robins
• And many more!

Startup Weekend is Coming to Barrie!

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:55:00 GMT

Startup Weekend Barrie is a 54-hour event where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups. This international event is coming to Barrie the weekend of May 3rd - 5th at Georgian College.

It’s a weekend-long, hands-on experience where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable. On average, half of Startup Weekend’s attendees have technical backgrounds, the other half have business backgrounds.

“Startup Weekend is a global event that’s locally sponsored by The Georgian College Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre. It’s being brought to Barrie by 15 local business owners who form the Profit Matters team in their Barrie BNI Chapter,” explains project lead, Stuart Murray. “We’ve seen firsthand the benefits to developers, entrepreneurs and designers in Startup Weekends around the province as they work through a weekend to develop prototypes and launch ideas. The energy is infectious and the results are nothing short of amazing. And, the response to our Barrie event to date has been encouraging.”

Here’s an outline of what you can expect at Startup Weekend Barrie:

Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees are encouraged to bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team.
Over Saturday and Sunday teams design and develop business plans while constantly streamlining their startup vision.
On Sunday evening teams demo their prototypes, listen to judges’ feedback and win prizes.

Startup Weekends are specifically designed for entrepreneurs interested in receiving feedback on an idea, looking for a co-founder, or who want to learn a new skill. We also welcome anyone looking to test the entrepreneurial waters.

Startup Weekends are risk-free environments where everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves and dive into the exhilarating world of startups.

If you’d like to participate in Startup Weekend Barrie for the nominal fee of $55.00 for the weekend, you can register online at www.barrie.startupweekend.org.

by Debbie Ouellet

Newsletter for Small and Medium-sized businesses // Bulletin pour les petites entreprises

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:57:00 GMT

The April 2013 edition of the Newsletter for Small and Medium-sized Businesses is now online.

Inside you will find the following articles:

· Life tables, 2007 to 2009
· Financial and taxation statistics for enterprises, 2011
· Quarterly financial statistics for enterprises, fourth quarter 2012
· Worker reallocation in Canada

Service Bulletins

Consulting services
Film and video productions
Repair and Maintenance Services

Happy reading!

Video: Tutorial for businesses — Finding local census data

You've told us that it isn't always easy to find data on our website. We listened! We are pleased to launch the first of a series of tutorials that will help you find the information you need on our website. We hope you will enjoy this brief tutorial about finding local census data.

Help us spread the word: If you know a business or an organization that may benefit from what this newsletter has to offer, please pass it on or put them in contact with us.

Le numéro d’avril 2013 du Bulletin d'information pour les petites et moyennes entreprises est maintenant disponible en ligne.

Vous y trouverez les articles suivants :

Tables de mortalité, 2007 à 2009
Statistiques financières et fiscales des entreprises, 2011
Statistiques financières trimestrielles des entreprises, quatrième trimestre de 2012
Réallocation des travailleurs au Canada

Bulletins de service

Services de conseils
Distribution de films cinématographiques et de vidéos
Services de réparation et d'entretien

Bonne lecture!

Vidéo : Tutoriel pour les entreprises — Comment trouver les données locales du recensement

Vous nous avez dit qu'il n'était pas toujours facile de trouver des données sur notre site Web. Nous vous avons écoutés! Nous avons le plaisir de lancer le premier d'une série de tutoriels visant à vous aider à trouver les renseignements dont vous avez besoin sur notre site Web. Nous souhaitons que ce bref tutoriel sur la façon de trouver les données locales du recensement vous plaise.

Aidez-nous à passer le mot: Si vous connaissez une entreprise ou un organisme qui pourrait bénéficier de l’information contenue dans ce bulletin d’information, veuillez lui fournir un exemplaire du bulletin ou lui donner nos coordonnées afin de lui permettre de communiquer avec nous.

The Competitive Edge: Success Through Innovation - May 29

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Competitive Edge: Success Through Innovation
#CCCEdge13
May 29, 2013 | 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre
8500 Warden Avenue | Markham ON

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its nationwide network of local chambers of commerce and corporate and association members have identified Canada's top 10 barriers to competitiveness and are actively implementing initiatives to address these issues, promote economic growth and drive prosperity.

Two important barriers to Canada's competitiveness are its growing skills gap and its poor innovation performance. The Competitive Edge will be a prime opportunity for business leaders to address these issues and to learn of innovative ways to upgrade the skills of their existing workforce and attract the resources - human and otherwise - they need to ensure the ongoing success of their businesses and the long term prosperity of their communities.

Keynote Speaker

David Foot
Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Toronto and co-author of the best-selling book Boom Bust & Echo: Profiting from the Demographic Shift in the 21st Century

The Competitive Edge will feature two sessions that will highlight real-life practices and success stories in skills and economic development through innovative ideas, unconventional strategies and creative partnerships. The first session, Upskilling to Compete, will demonstrate how Canada's skills shortage can be addressed through sound relationships with academia and employer-sponsored training programs. The second session, Innovative Approaches to Employment Opportunities and Economic Development, will feature cooperative initiatives that are fostering economic growth for both businesses and communities within York Region - initiatives that are transferrable to any city in Canada.

Agenda-at-a-Glance

7:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

8 a.m. Welcome Remarks

8:15 a.m. Keynote Address by David Foot, Professor Emeritus of Economics,
University of Toronto and co-author of Boom Bust & Echo:
Profiting from the Demographic Shift in the 21st Century

9:30 a.m. Break

9:45 a.m. Session 1 | Upskilling to Compete

11:10 a.m. Session 2 | Innovative Approaches to Employment Opportunities
and Economic Development

12:10 p.m. Break

12:40 p.m. Lunch

1:15 Armchair Discussion with Hon. Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
and Minister Responsible for the GTA, and Brian J. Porter,
President, Scotiabank (invited)

2 p.m. Closing Remarks

Featured Speakers
In addition to the keynote speakers, participants will hear from business and academic leaders, including:

Hon. Perrin Beatty, President & CEO, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Sheldon Levy, President, Ryerson University
David Agnew, President, Seneca College
John Lutz, President, IBM Canada
Dr. David Williams, President & CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre
Jeremy Laurin, CEO, Venture Labs
Karen Dubeau, Vice-President, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

Tickets - $100 + HST

To register, please go to Chamber.ca.

Contact
Marley Ransom | Event Planner | 613.238.4000 (227) | mransom@chamber.ca

Held annually, the Competitive Edge is a conference where business and thought leaders connect to tackle a key issue affecting Canadian competitiveness and to exchange ideas, strategies and solutions for putting Canadian businesses in the best position to succeed at home and globally.

In partnership with

Invitation to The Creeks Project Campaign Launch on May 11, 2013

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Restoring the environmental health of Lover’s and Barrie Creeks subwatersheds

The Lover’s and Barrie Creeks subwatersheds are under considerable environmental pressure. Covering only a small percentage of Lake Simcoe watershed area it is currently home to over 40% of watershed residents; growing at twice the provincial average. Building on the past success of our East Holland Campaign Project, Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation (LSCF) is working with our partner Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) to establish environmental project and program priorities for The Creeks Project. This four year commitment will fund community focused projects that will help us all enjoy a healthier ecosystem. You are cordially invited to join us!

The Creeks Project Campaign Launch
Sunnidale Park in Barrie
Saturday, May 11, 2013
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunnidale Park is the site of our first project. Please join us for the launch, plant trees and shrubs with LSRCA staff, enjoy a BBQ lunch hosted by the Barrie Lions Club and participate in fun ecoactivities for kids.

Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation is the leading environmental fund raising organization in the Lake Simcoe watershed. Our vision is of a community that works together to respect and support a healthy ecosystem. Please call Judy Milner at 905-895-1281 ext. 241 or e-mail her at j.milner@lsrca.on.ca with any questions.

Yours truly,

Debby Beatty, LSCF Board President

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT LINKS FOR BARRIE BUSINESSES

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:36:00 GMT

The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing advocacy for its members. To this end, we have developed strong working relationships with local government representatives; this allows us to be aware of upcoming government activities that may impact our members. As an independent organization, the Chamber is able to work with government bodies on projects to help businesses, and at the same time challenge them on other topics that may be negatively affecting businesses.

MPP Rod Jackson’s office has provided the following updated links to resources available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) for the reference of Barrie area businesses.

LOOKING TO START A BUSINESS: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2856/sgc-35/#sgcselect

LOOKING TO HIRE EMPLOYEES: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2739/sgc-35/#sgcselect

LOOKING FOR GRANTS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/program/results/sgc-35/

LOOKING FOR A LOAN GUARANTEE: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2736/sgc-35/#sgcselect

LOOKING FOR TAX REFUNDS AND CREDITS: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2738/sgc-35/#sgcselect

LOOKING FOR EQUITY INVESTMENTS: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/3681/sgc-35/#sgcselect

GRAND OPENING: Dr. Eric Bella & Associates, Optometrists

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:56:00 GMT

Date: Saturday April 27, 2013
Time: 10:00pm-3:00pm
Address: 75 Barrie View Drive Barrie On.
Located beside the Pearle Vision.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Jeff Lehman at 2:30pm

Drinks and snacks while you view our office and meet our staff

Exceptional eye care for the entire family

Our Mission

At Dr. Eric Bella & Associates our goal is to provide exceptional eye care for the entire family. We strive to give our patients thorough compassionate care with excellent service. We offer our patients advanced technology and care in the form of retinal photography, visual field testing, evaluations for glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eyes, allergies, LASIK, and other medical eye conditions.

We also hope to be a positive influence in our community through our volunteer work with One Sight, which provides eye care and glasses to those in need. We also like to support local artists from the surrounding area by displaying their various works of art in both offices.

Finally we aim to provide a fun, comfortable experience to every one of our patients. We offer web browsing, and snacks while you wait.

Pearle Vision offering an exclusive, one day only 50% off sale on a complete pair of glasses

Congratulations Rogers TV!

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:01:00 GMT

Rogers TV – Fourth Time Recipient of the
RTDNA Dave Rogers Award

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - Rogers TV (Simcoe County) Another outstanding achievement for Rogers TV in Simcoe County. For the fourth straight year, Rogers TV was honoured earlier today in Toronto with the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature - Small Medium Market, Central Region for its documentary, In Focus: Seasons of Hope. In Focus: Seasons of Hope highlights the incredible service the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children offers. It provides a safe, comfortable and home-like atmosphere for youth and their families who are grieving the death or impeding death of an immediate family member.

The half hour long documentary follows the story of seven Simcoe County families dealing with the death of a loved one. The support and assistance of the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children helps the families come to terms with their loss.

Rogers TV Producer, Steve McEown says “Working with the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children in producing this program helps create awareness of the type of support available at the Centre. It’s an important message to communicate; there is a safe and special place to help youth rebuild their lives after a significant personal loss”.

Accepting the Award on behalf of Rogers TV, Simcoe County was Cindy MacDonald, Rogers TV Station Manager and Steve McEown, Rogers TV Producer of In Focus: Seasons of Hope.

-30-

Rogers TV is a unique TV channel where community members take an active role in conceptualizing and producing programming for local audiences. Our staff and volunteers produce informative and entertaining local programming, reinforcing Rogers’ commitment to the communities we serve. Rogers Communications is Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Rogers TV is only available to Rogers’ customers, including the company's 2.3 million cable customers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. For more information on Rogers Communications Inc., visit www.rogers.com. For more information on Rogers TV, visit www.rogerstv.com.

Locally, Rogers TV, cable channels 10/53 serve the cities of and surrounding Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil, Midland, Penetanguishene, Springwater Township, Clearview Township, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood and parts of the Town of Blue Mountains. Rogers Digital Cable 65 serves the communities of and surrounding Borden/Alliston.

For More Information, Contact:
Lucille E. Dalziel, Publicity & Promotions Coordinator
Rogers TV, Simcoe County
Tel: 705-737-4660, ext. 6977 Wireless: 705-718-3734

IMPORTANT: Call For Board Nominations

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:10:00 GMT

Nomination Deadline: Monday May 13th, 2013 - 5:00pm

A copy of the nomination form is available online at http://www.barriechamber.com/BoardNominationForm2013.pdf

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY
A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE & CONDUCT BUSINESS?

Each year there are a number of positions that must be filled on our Board of Directors, and we are currently seeking Board nominations. We are looking for dynamic individuals that can help us to continue providing business leadership through a community vision.

The Chamber provides the local business community with a vehicle to create a positive community; works closely with the municipal and regional governments; speaks for the business community at many venues; and informs and represents business.

As a Director on the Chamber’s Board, you would have the opportunity to help make the Chamber a more valuable tool for yourself and your fellow members, as well as making us more aware of the issues that all Barrie area businesses are facing.

The government of the Chamber, the direction of its affairs, and the control of its property is invested in the Board of Directors which consists of 13 directors nominated and elected by the membership. Responsibilities include participation in as many Chamber activities as possible and promotion of the Chamber in a positive way throughout the community. The Board is ultimately responsible for establishing all policies on behalf of the membership. Directors are expected to assume from time to time the responsibility of:

a) Chairing a task force of the Board
b) Monitoring a standing committee
c) Accepting other assignments from the board

If you are planning to run for the Board you will need three Chamber members to nominate you. To be eligible for nomination, you must be the voting member of a Company in good standing within the Chamber. Those elected will serve a TWO-YEAR TERM; after serving his/her first term, any Director may be elected for a second term (two years).

CONSIDER SERVING ON THE BOARD OF A VITAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES BUSINESS LEADERSHIP THROUGH A COMMUNITY VISION.

A copy of the nomination form is available online at http://www.barriechamber.com/BoardNominationForm2013.pdf.

Please return the completed nomination form to the Chamber Office by hand delivery, by mail to the address below, or by fax to (705) 726-0973 before 5pm on May 13th, 2013.

Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
97 Toronto Street
Barrie, Ontario L4N 1V1

* Please note that, if you are sending your nomination by mail, it must still be RECEIVED in the Chamber office by 5pm on Monday May 13th, 2013 - please allow sufficient time for delivery and/or consider an alternate method of submission to ensure that your nomination is received on time

2013 Call for Applications for Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:03:00 GMT

2013 Call for Applications for Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund

A reminder that applications for funding under the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund will be accepted until April 26, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. E.D.T.

Information on the fund, including the application guide, form, frequently asked questions and 2012 grant recipients, is available at ontario.ca/GreatLakesFund.

You're invited to join an information session by teleconference and webinar to learn more about the fund at 1:00 p.m. E.D.T on April 10 and April 18.

Email:	GreatLakesFund@ontario.ca
Telephone:	In the Greater Toronto Area: 416-325-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-565-4923 TTY in the Greater Toronto Area: 416-326-9236 TTY toll-free: 1-800-515-2759

ontario.ca/GreatLakesFund
1-800-565-4923 GreatLakesFund@ontario.ca
@environment facebook.com/OntarioEnvironment

Lincoln M. Alexander Award 2013

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:02:00 GMT

Every year since 1993, the Government of Ontario has presented the Lincoln M. Alexander Award to honour young Ontarians who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination.

I am pleased to ask you to support this program by nominating an outstanding young person whom you believe to be deserving of recognition. I will join the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Lieutenant Governor in officially recognizing the award recipients at a special ceremony at Queen's Park later this year.

Nomination forms and information outlining details of the program, including the deadline date, the selection criteria and the procedures followed in the selection process are available at the ministry's website: www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards

Please take this opportunity to acknowledge a young person from your school or community who has made an important contribution to eliminating racial discrimination in Ontario.

For further information, please contact the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat: 416-314-7526, toll free 1-877-832-8622 or TTY 416-327-2391. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2013.

Thank you for taking the time to consider a deserving young Ontarian for the Lincoln M. Alexander Award.

Rod Jackson, MPP

Myself and Lincoln M. Alexander in 1989

Rod Jackson, MPP for Barrie
20 Bell Farm Road, Barrie, Ontario L4M 6E4
705-726-5538

April BBN - Healthy Body, Healthy Business?

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:11:00 GMT

On Thursday April 4th, Cathy Housser of Fitness Infuzion for Women spoke to our members about the correlation between maintaining our personal health and keeping our businesses healthy. She noted that the following 5 steps she spoke about for health improvement also apply to being successful many other areas of your life:

Make a commitment to yourself - make it real; say it out loud.
Plan
Work out - if you are already active, then you need to add strength training to build muscle; your body won't respond differently to what it's already used to doing.
Enhance your knowledge - lern how to get past plateaus, find out how much water your body needs in a day, track visually so you know you're doing what you set out to do.
Mindy/Body connection - reflection.

We all do many of these in our every day lives, we just need to put the tools to use.

Many thanks to all of the members that came out to our April BBN - we look forward to seeing you all on May 9th for our next breakfast!

Check out more photos from this BBN on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BarrieChamber - see if you can find any faces you recognize!

Congratulations TNR Industrial Doors!!

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:14:00 GMT

ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFICATION

Being a leading company in providing quality high speed/high impact rubber doors across the world, TNR Industrial Doors has undertaken to incorporate internationally recognized ISO 9001:2008 quality management standards into our work processes. We have been working to successfully complete the stages of implementation, analysis and evaluation. Today, we are proud to announce that all our efforts have been compensated with the achievement of ISO certification.

With this prestigious certification, our customers and end users can be assured and confident to work with a company providing quality in services that have been internationally recognized.

This certification represents our commitment to set up strategic alliances with clients and suppliers, always seeking win-win relationships to benefit your clients. It also reinforces our continual improvement process through feedback from our daily operations.

Contact TNR for further information by phone at 1-866-792-9968, by email at info@tnrdoors.com or visit our website www.tnrdoors.com

TNR INDUSTRIAL DOORS
200 Fairview Road, Unit 2
Barrie, ON L4N 8X8
www.tnrdoors.com
Phone-705-792-9968

An Invitation to attend a Gala event in honour of Bruce Owen

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Hello! Like many of you, I have watched Bruce Owen serving the citizens of Barrie for many decades. In music law and government he has been tireless.

The members of the Am Shalom Synagogue, of which I am a member, want to invite you to a Gala Fundraising Dinner to thank Bruce Owen. The net proceeds will be shared equally to support the work of the Synagogue and the Colours of Music festival. A charitable receipt for a portion of the ticket price will be provided.

Saturday, April 27, 2013
5:30 p.m. Social - 6:30 p.m. Dinner
$125.00 per person
Location: Liberty North
100 Caplan Road, Unit 1, Barrie

Please RSVP the Am Shalom Synagogue office by calling 705-792-3949 during regular business hours, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or order your ticket by clicking here to download the Ticket Order & Payment Method form and faxing it to the Am Shalom office 705-792-3982. Tickets will be sent out as soon as payment is processed.

Many thanks - see you on April 27th

With best regards,
Stephen Sperling – Gala Chair
Am Shalom Congregation

767 Huronia Road, Barrie, Ontario, L4N 9H2 | Tel. (705)792-3949 | Fax (705)792-3982
www.amshalom.ca | amshalomcongregation@bellnet.ca

Incredible India! Trip Orientation Session - April 15

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:28:00 GMT

If you have ever dreamed of visiting the Taj Mahal, seeing temples & palaces up close, or riding an elephant, then you should consider joining the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce for a once in a lifetime vacation adventure to Incredible India!

WE'RE HOLDING AN ORIENTATION & INFORMATION SESSION THIS COMING MONDAY APRIL 15TH, 2013 FROM 5PM-7PM IN THE CHURCHILL ROOM OF THE HOLIDAY INN BARRIE, HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE. If the chance of visiting India appeals to you at all, please join us to learn more about this fantastic opportunity - bring your friends and any other potential travel companions - nobody will want to miss out! Please email admin@barriechamber.com to RSVP for the April 15th session.

Now is your chance to join the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce for a once in a lifetime vacation adventure to Incredible India! Departing September 16th, this 9 day trip will provide you with an experience you will never forget!

To learn more about the information discussed and addressed during this orientation, please see the Incredible India video provided by Indus Travels HERE.

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:

Deluxe hotels with private facilities
Airport transfers
Daily buffet breakfast
All sightseeing and excursions in an AC Coach
English speaking Tour Manager
Elephant ride in Jaipur
Luggage handling
Local taxes and service charges
All monument entrance fees
International flights from YYZ

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INFORMATIONAL VIDEO PROVIDED BY INDUS TRAVELS!

* Double occupancy required. This is a special Barrie Chamber member price; non-members add $300. Add $790 for single occupancy. A valid passport and visa are required. No vaccinations are necessary.

Mayor's Business Progress Breakfast 2013 - May 2nd

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:52:00 GMT

Please join Mayor Jeff Lehman for an informative breakfast session sponsored by Scotiabank. Scotiabank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Warren Jestin, will provide a global perspective and Mayor Lehman will give an update on Barrie’s local economy.

Please register promptly by e-mail to MayorsBreakfast@barrie.ca as seating is limited and this event has previously filled quickly. You will receive an e-mail confirming your registration, or notification that you have been placed on a waiting list should the event already be at capacity.

In an effort to include as many businesses as possible, we are requesting individual registrations only for this event.

Date & time: May 2nd, 7:30am–9:30am

Venue: Liberty North (100 Caplan Avenue Unit #1, Barrie, Ontario)

Economic Development Office (705) 728-9850
MayorsBreakfast@barrie.ca | www.investbarrie.ca

Monthly Update from Rod Jackson, MPP - Barrie - April 2013

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:11:00 GMT

April 2013

CRIME STOPPERS
STOP THE TRADES TAX
PAN AM GAMES UPDATE
STAFF NEWS

MPP Jackson Stands Up For Springwater Park

HELP SUPPORT

CRIMESTOPPERS

"This Wednesday come out and see me and the Harlem Ambassadors Basketball players! It's guaranteed to be will be part athletics and part comedy!

- MPP Rod Jackson

The CRIME STOPPERS All Stars, featuring many local celebrities including MPP Rod Jackson, Mayor Lehman, MP Patrick Brown and CTVs Alastair Connolly will be playing in support of Simcoe Duffering Muskoka Crime Stoppers.

DATE: Wednesday April 10th

TIME: 7pm

PLACE: Georgian College Auditorium. COST: $25.00/adults, $20.00/students and children under 5 years old are free!

To purchase your tickets call 705-503-5439 or www.benefitshowtickets.com

STOP THE TRADES TAX

"As the MPP for Barrie, I pledge to the hardworking tradespeople and residents of my riding that I will oppose any and all efforts by the Liberal government to impose a trades tax," -

Rod Jackson MPP

Rod Jackson MPP, has joined the fight to stop a Liberal government trades tax that will drive up costs for trades people, employers and residents in Barrie. MPP Jackson explained "The trades tax will make almost everything more expensive, from practicing a trade to getting your hair cut or car serviced, and there's no good reason for it."

LEARN MORE

TALKING to LeDrew LIVE

"As the Pan Am Games approach, the organizing team will grow; however what is less than clear is whether or not hard working families of Ontario can afford to pay astronomical salaries of an ever-expanding, unchecked bureaucracy."

- Barrie MPP, Rod Jackson

On Thursday, March 28, the Ontario government released the annual Sunshine List, disclosing public sector salaries and revealing that salaries for TO2015 Pan Am officials continue to soar.

"It starts with the CEO at over $475,000 dollars, while others make just over $300,000. Ontario families will be on the hook for the 32 people on the List or rather $28.8 million by the time the Games start," said MPP Rod Jackson.

STAFF NEWS

Graeme Murray, an intern with the Barrie Constituency Office, is heading to Goyang, Korea this month! He is representing Canada in the Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships!

Good luck Graeme!

Visit our Website!

ROD JACKSON, MPP

Barrie, Ontario

20 Bell Farm Road | 705-726-5538 | info@rodjacksonmpp.ca

STAY CONNECTED

Spring Tradeshow - April 17, 2013

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:17:00 GMT

The Chamber’s Spring Tradeshow is an excellent opportunity for you to come out and see the strength & diversity of the Chamber Membership in action!

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT OUR BARRIE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN DOING LATELY?

We have and we think it’s great, so we’d like to invite you to come out and see some Barrie businesses up close - see for yourself how strong our business community really is!

Join us at 5pm on Wednesday April 17th, 2013 at Army Navy Air Force Veterans In Canada; entry is only $10 per person for members and $12 per person for non-members, payable in cash at the door. Don't forget to bring your Chamber Bucks and business cards! You won't want to miss out on any of the draws at the show!

Date: Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
Time: 5 pm - 7 pm
Location: Army Navy Air Force Veterans In Canada, 7 George Street, Barrie, ON

Catered & Cash Bar

$10/ member
$12/ public
Please pre-register at http://barriechamber.com/events/ba5-spring-2013-tradeshow

Please note that there are still a few exhibit spaces left for the tradeshow; for details about exhibiting, please download the form at http://barriechamber.com/images-events/2013/ExhibitorRegistrationSpring2013.pdf

Top 10 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

At Senior Homecare by Angels, we provide support for caregivers by arranging non-medical homecare for their loved ones, giving them some much-needed respite from their caregiving duties.

We’ll hear things like:

“I’m too exhausted, I can’t do this anymore…”

“I’ve just got to get away – I’m going crazy!”

Caregiving is very demanding, both physically and emotionally. Caregivers are at greater risk for colds and flus, as well as chronic illness and depression.

Asking for help is a great first step, and there are other important things that caregivers can do to protect themselves from burning out.

Top 10 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

Get some exercise – Exercise has physical benefits but also important emotional benefits as well. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Eat healthy meals and snacks – This is important for giving you enough energy to get through the day.
Get enough sleep – If your sleep at night is interrupted, take an afternoon nap. As little as 20 minutes can help you feel refreshed.
Get regular medical checkups – Don’t neglect your own healthcare while caring for your loved one.
Make time for an activity you love to do – Be creative to find a new time or place for your favourite activity.
Look after your emotional and spiritual health – Join a support group, talk to a counsellor or spiritual advisor, or take some quiet time.
Be realistic about what you can and can't do – Address your own needs and be honest about your limitations. There are plenty of different ways you can help, but you can’t do everything.
Know yourself – Know what you want to do and don't want to do, and don’t lose yourself in your role as caregiver.
Request help from family, friends, church, community organizations – There are also plenty of helpful magazines, newsletters and online resources.
Stay in touch with friends and family – Spend time with people who make you laugh and who can support you.

Senior Homecare by Angels provide non-medical homecare to clients in Barrie and much of Simcoe County. Owners Lorraine and Henry Legge, and their assistant Carla Kilpela, all hold the designation of CPCA (Certified Professional Consultant on Aging). For more information, please visit their website at http://www.seniorhomecarebarrie.com/ or call 705-719-1300.

CANCELLATION: Chamber Connects Event

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:16:00 GMT

Unfortunately, due to insufficient registration for this afternoon's Chamber Connects event, we have had to cancel. We will be selecting a new date in the coming weeks, and will be sure to let all our members know when it will be happening so that they can come out and participate.

Thank you for your patience.

Are you self-employed? Important facts from the Canada Revenue Agency

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:02:00 GMT

English version ***La version française suit***

Are you self-employed?

Did you know?
As a self-employed individual, you have until midnight on June 17, 2013 to file your 2012 income tax and benefit return. Don't forget -- you must pay any balance owing for 2012 on or before April 30, 2013, regardless of your filing date.

Important facts
• If you earned self-employment income from a business you operate yourself or with a partner, you must report it. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/selfemployed.
• Keep thorough records if you own a business or are engaged in a commercial activity. The records have to provide enough detail to determine the taxes you owe and support the benefits you are claiming, and must be supported by original documents.
• If you receive income that has no tax withheld or does not have enough tax withheld for more than one year, you may have to pay tax by instalments. This can happen if you receive rental, investment, or self-employment income, certain pension payments, or income from more than one job. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/instalments.

The Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) online services make filing even easier
The CRA's online services are fast, easy, and secure. You can use them to file your income tax and benefit return, make a payment, track your refund and more. Sign up for direct deposit too! Your refund and any benefit or credit payments owed to you will be deposited directly into your account, putting your money into your pocket faster. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.

Stay connected
To receive updates when new information is added to our Web site, you can:
• Follow the CRA on Twitter – @CanRevAgency.
• Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list.
• Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader.

You can also watch our tax-related videos on YouTube.

Version française ***The English version precedes***

Êtes-vous un travailleur indépendant?

Le saviez-vous?
En tant que travailleur indépendant, vous avez jusqu'au 17 juin 2013, à minuit, pour produire votre déclaration de revenus et de prestation de 2012. Rappelez-vous que vous devez payer tout solde dû pour 2012 au plus tard le 30 avril 2013, peu importe votre date de production.

Faits importants
• Si vous avez gagné un revenu d'un travail indépendant tiré d'une entreprise que vous exploitez vous-même ou avec un associé, vous devez le déclarer. Pour en savoir plus, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/travailleurindependant.
• Conservez de bons registres si vous êtes propriétaire d'une entreprise ou si vous exercez une activité commerciale. Les registres doivent contenir des renseignements suffisants permettant de déterminer les impôts que vous devez et de justifier les prestations que vous demandez. Ils doivent également être appuyés par des documents originaux.
• Si, pendant plus d'une année, vous touchez un revenu sur lequel aucun impôt n'est retenu ou sur lequel l'impôt retenu est insuffisant, vous devrez peut-être payer l'impôt par acomptes provisionnels. Cela peut arriver si vous recevez un revenu de location, de placement ou de travail indépendant, certains paiements de pension ou un revenu tiré de plusieurs emplois. Pour en savoir plus, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/acomptesprovisionnels.

Les services en ligne de l'Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC) facilitent encore davantage la production de déclarations
Les services en ligne de l'ARC sont rapides, faciles et sécurisés. Vous pouvez les utiliser pour produire votre déclaration de revenus et de prestations, effectuer un paiement, suivre l'état de votre remboursement et bien plus encore. Inscrivez-vous aussi au dépôt direct! Votre remboursement et tout versement de prestation ou de crédit qui vous est dû seront déposés directement dans votre compte, vous recevrez ainsi votre argent plus rapidement. Pour en savoir plus, allez à www.arc.gc.ca/preparezvous.

Soyez branché
Pour recevoir des mises à jour lorsque nous ajoutons de nouveaux renseignements à notre site Web, vous pouvez :
• Suivre l'ARC sur Twitter – @AgenceRevCan.
• Vous abonner à une liste d'envois électroniques de l'ARC.
• Ajouter nos fils RSS à votre lecteur de nouvelles.

Vous pouvez aussi allez sur YouTube pour regarder nos vidéos sur l'impôt.

Walking for MS in Barrie – Sunday, May 5, 2013

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:15:00 GMT

By Meredith Skinner:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the myelin which is a protective covering wrapped around the nerves of the central nervous system. Symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person and from time to time in the same person.

As much as we like to believe that the medical system covers everything, sadly that is just not true. For people living with MS, that reality can bring financial stress on top of an already difficult situation.

Thankfully, the MS Society is here to help. We receive requests for everything from purchasing a sling to help someone move from their bed to their wheelchair, to finding someone to come and shovel the snow in the winter, to installing a motorized lift for getting up and down the stairs. The monies we raise in Simcoe County are there to support these services.

The MS Society also coordinates volunteer-run support groups, that are especially helpful to those who are newly diagnosed. We see how helpful it is for them to talk with other people going through the same things, about what’s happening to them and what they can expect next.

Support groups for caregivers provide the same function. It’s just as important for caregivers to talk to someone who understands what they’re going through.

Support groups also enable people who have similar life circumstances to meet and help each other. For example, though MS is usually diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s, it can also occur in girls as young as 15. One young woman in Orillia started a youth group so there would be support for people her own age.

The Mandarin^® MS Walk in Barrie is on Sunday, May 5, 2013. In 2012, over $4.8 million was raised at MS Walks across Ontario, helping to fund services for people living with MS in our local communities. We hope to top that this year!

After working with the MS Society for just over one month, I am already so amazed at the people I’ve met. These are some of the most positive, fun-loving people, who take life as it hits them, and make lemonade out of lemons.

Please join me in supporting the MS Society by getting involved in the Mandarin^® MS Walk. Visit mswalks.ca to find your region, register as a team or individual, or join a team.

Networking At Noon - March 2013

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:29:00 GMT

It was another great Networking At Noon event at OLG Slots at Georgian Downs! Many thanks to our speaker, Dana Pharant of Whole Body Basics, who provided her audience with tools and challenges on how to stay sane when everyone around you is crazy!

Be sure to join us in April for another Networking At Noon!

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Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce Calls on Government to Tackle Skills Gap, Transform Service Delivery

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:32:00 GMT

Please find below from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce the 2013 Pre-Budget Submission to the Ontario Government.

If you have any immediate questions or comments, please send them to Neville
McGuire, Communications Manager, at
nevillemcguire@occ.on.ca, or reach
him by phone at 416.482.5222 ext. 2410.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Pre-Budget Submission

March BA5 at Victoria Village with Wildwood Hospitality!

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Another great Business After 5 held at Victoria Village Projects with a Hawaiian twist to encourage Spring to come along a little faster! Thank you to Wildwood Hospitality for catering! Great networking connections made by all! Congratulations to grand prize winners Mr. Bob Cassels, Pat Silver from Pat Silver Insurance- Division of Norbram Group, Golliger's Travels, and 50/50 winner Terry McDonald of Boss Construction!

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Winter 2013 TD Commercial Banking Business Insights Newsletter

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:20:00 GMT

The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide our membership with the Winter 2013 TD Commercial Banking Business Insights Newsletter. This season's newsletter takes a look at the year ahead for the economy with a "mix of caution and optimism". Click on the link below for the full Newsletter!

TD Commercial Banking Business Insights Newsletter

DTN Comes to Meridian!

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:35:00 GMT

Attention Meridian Agriculture Producers! Meridian now offers FREE access to DTN/The Progressive Farmer, on our website. Visit for time-critical information on localized weather, future markets, agriculture news, and more! meridiancu.cu/agriculture

™Trademarks of Meridian Credit Union Limited.

Business Owners: Protect Yourself In a Bankruptcy

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:48:00 GMT

The failure of a business and related liabilities could be the personal responsibility of the owners of a business. These businesses related debts often result in the owners of the business having to file a personal bankruptcy or proposal.

How does an owner of a business protect oneself in the event of a business failure?

1. Incorporation of a business provides the owner with a level of creditor protection. The majority of a corporation's obligations are limited to its assets, as the structure provides protection for personal assets.

2. In Ontario, directors of an incorporated business are personally liable for statutory debts such as:

Payroll source deductions;

Harmonized Sales Tax collected; and

Employee wages and vacation payable.

So always ensure these debts are paid on a timely basis!

1. Owners of incorporated business generally use their personal funds to invest in their business and too often without adequate documentation for these loans. Any personal loans by an owner to the business should be done through a properly documented loan; a General Security Agreement and should be properly registered and perfected under the Personal Property Security Act (“PPSA”). Proper registration of the security interest protects these loans and in the event of the failure of the business; the owner would have priority to the assets of the business, ahead of the unsecured creditors.

Without the proper security in place, the owner of the business would be considered an unsecured creditor and will have to wait in line to be paid with all the other unsecured creditors.

2. Business owners should consider acquiring personal assets in a spouse's name or a family trust. Such assets do not form part of the transferor's bankruptcy estate and are therefore not subject to claims of estate creditors.

3. If funds are being put away for retirement, consideration should be given to investing in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (“RRSPs”) that are exempt from claims; some exceptions may apply.

4. Owners of a business should not give personal guarantees of company obligations, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Ilan Kibel is a Trustee in Bankruptcy with the Insolvency & Restructuring practice of Farber Financial Group.

Ilan manages the firm’s Simcoe Region practices (Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood, Midland, Orillia and Wasaga Beach).

His practice focuses on personal, small business and corporate insolvency and restructuring, distressed financial advisory services and corporate consultative advisory services.

His commercial industry experience includes greenhouse operations, general manufacturing and machining, and retail. In addition to his insolvency and restructuring experience, Ilan also has experience in providing transaction-related services including due diligence, corporate finance, and mergers & acquisitions support to mid-market enterprises. Protecting oneself should be done at the start of a business venture. With careful planning an owner of a business can be ready if things don't go as well as expected. With over 30 years of experience in debt solutions to help you figure out all your options and your best solution, A. Farber & Partners can help you Review your financial situation, assist you in obtaining Relief from all or substantially all your debts and give you the tools to Rebuild a better, more financially secure future.

Our team of Federally-licensed professionals are available to discuss your situation in detail, please call 310-1100 to setup a free confidential face-to-face meeting in your area.

Business Breakfast Networking - March 7th, 2013 with Speaker Dr. Kerri Fullerton

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Another great Business Breakfast Networking session with speaker Dr. Kerri Fullerton of The Healing Oasis. Her topic for today : Why You Should Get Out Of Bed Today, and provided some great insight into dealing with mental health in a naturopathic remedy!

Be sure your register yourself for the upcoming Business Breakfast Networking on April 4th at the Holiday Inn Barrie, Hotel & Conference Centre!

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Meridian Launches New Chequing Accounts for Small Business

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:19:00 GMT

Meridian has launched new Prosper chequing accounts designed for small business. In addition to our hard working $5 per month Small Business chequing account, here are three NEW chequing accounts designed to help you do more for less.

● Prosper Plus Chequing - Now your personal and business banking accounts can work together for one low monthly fee - $30 per month.

● Prosper Chequing - You will have all your transactions covered with one monthly fee - $25 per month.

● eProsper Chequing - This account offers you the best of both worlds. You can transact online or in-branch - $9 per month.

If you have any questions, please contact Scott Lithgow, Small Business Account Manager, in the Simcoe District. He can be reached at 705-728-5199 ext 7130 or via email: scott.lithgow@meridiancu.ca or visit meridiancu.ca/smallbusiness

™Trademarks of Meridian Credit Union Limited.

Attention All Potential Spring Trade Show 2013 Exhibitors!

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:35:00 GMT

Attention Potential Tradeshow Exhibitors!

To ensure that all members have an equal opportunity to exhibit in our regular tradeshows, we will again be randomly drawing exhibitors from the forms submitted. We will be accepting forms from Monday March 4th until 10:00am on Friday March 8th, 2013, at which time we will randomly draw the names of our exhibitors. Any member that submits a registration form will be contacted shortly after the drawing to let them know whether or not they will be exhibiting. Those companies that are not exhibiting will be informed of their position on the wait list so that they can be ready to step up should we have a cancellation prior to the show.

Registration forms will be accepted UNTIL 10:00am on Friday March 8th, 2013.

Registration Forms will be available to download on Monday March 4th, 2013 on the Barrie Chamber website.

Price: $100+hst = $113.00 (Non-Hydro location)
$110+hst = $124.30 (Hydro location)

When: Wednesday April 17th, 2013

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Place: Army Navy Air Force Veterans in Canada, 7 George Street Barrie

Registration Includes:

One 4' x 6' exhibitor space
Table with skirting & tablecloth (optional - see form)
Two Complimentary Exhibitor Passes

Registration forms can be submitted by fax (726-0973), email (admin@barriechamber.com), or hand (97 Toronto Street, Barrie, ON). We can not accept registration forms by mail, as there is no certainty that they will arrive before the draw date. Confirmation of receipt of registration forms will be provided by email/phone/fax. Receipt of confirmation will be provided when forms are submitted; if you do not receive a confirmation notice within 2 business days of submission, please contact Chamber staff. We are unable to register anybody for a tradeshow exhibit space without the appropriate paperwork.

If you have any questions regarding our registration process, please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant, Ann Chamaillard, at (705) 721-5000 ext. 221.

February BA5- Wednesday February 20th at BDO!

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:38:00 GMT

Thank you to BDO Canada LLP Financial Recovery Services for hosting an amazing February Business After 5! Great food, great prizes, and a great time had by all! Congratulations to Glen Geddes, Monika Maizis, and Gord Richardson who were the Chamber Buck Draw winners!{module_photogallery,22478}

How To Avoid Costly Car Repairs

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:31:00 GMT

The best way to avoid costly car repairs is to do preventative maintenance. Check your owner’s manual for a guide, but be sure to get the car checked regularly. Sometimes you can have your fluid checked and it won’t need to be done yet, other times the fluid will show that it needs to be changed sooner then recommended.

Here are some of the things you’ll want to include in your ongoing maintenance:

Oil changes – Oil is the life blood of your car’s engine, and helps keep your entire car functioning well. We recommend oil changes at least three times a year, with no longer than four months or 8,000 between changes.

Transmission fluid – This fluid is changed at different intervals than your oil, though of course you can get them checked at the same time. Changes are usually recommended between 50,000-96,000 km, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Radiator fluid – Generally you’ll want to change this every five years. You can check the status of your coolant by looking at the colour to make sure it’s not too weak or dirty.

Other fluids – SUVs and trucks have additional fluids for the front wheel differential, the rear wheel differential and the transfer case. Be sure to get these checked on a regular basis as well.

Air filter – Your car is powered by a combination of clean air and gasoline. Keeping your air filter clean by changing it once a year can improve your gas mileage by as much as 4%. If you drive a lot in a large, polluted city, along dusty roads, or behind trucks pumping out a lot of diesel, you’ll probably want to change yours more often.

Cabin air filter – Most people aren’t aware that they have another air filter in their car, and this one filters the air you breathe inside the car – the air that blows out from your fan, air conditioner or heater. In order to keep filtering out the dust and pollen, your cabin air filter should also be changed about once a year.

Wiper blades – If your wiper blades aren’t doing their job properly to clean your windows, it will impede your vision and create dangerous safety issues.

Lights – Burned out bulbs aren’t always as simple as a replacement. There could be an electrical problem as well. License plate lights get corroded a lot, which rusts out the connection. That will have to be replaced before you can put in a new bulb.

Tire pressure – Under-inflated tires can be a major safety issue and also affect gas mileage and premature wear, yet this is one of the most neglected forms of car maintenance. Over-inflated tires are a safety risk as well, if there is not enough tire on the road to give you enough grip for the conditions. Over-inflation can also lead to premature wear. Ideally you want the tire to be as flat against the road as possible. You should really be checking your tire pressure about once a month. This will improve handling, improve gas mileage and the safety of everyone inside.

At Jiffy Lube our regular oil change package includes a full check of all these items, as well as fluid top-ups. We don’t make repairs, we help prevent them by giving you the diagnostic information you need. Visit us at 477 Grove Street East in Barrie or call 705-719-1021.

Hire a Georgian College Co-op/Internship Student This Summer!

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

EMPLOYERS have recruiting needs and GEORGIAN COLLEGE has recruiting solutions...

Students bring fresh ideas and current knowledge to the workplace. Co-op provides a cost-effective way to meet short-term staffing needs. Georgian College is the largest co-operative education college in Canada, offering a diverse range of programs designed to provide students with industry-related job skills.

Let's keep co-op strong in the Greater Barrie area!

In addition to co-op/internship opportunities, you can post graduate, part-time, seasonal and contract positions- all at no charge.

HOW CAN YOU POST FOR SUMMER 2013 WITH CO-OP AND CAREER SERVICES AT GEORGIAN COLLEGE?

We have gone electronic - no more manual forms! Our new streamlined system allows you to post your job opportunities for our students; it is simple, efficient, and easy to use. If you do not have an employer account, please follow the directions below to get started.*

*If you are unable to post with us at this time, please register to allow us to stay in touch with your company for our next recruitment cycle. In May we will begin recruiting for September 2013 co-op/internship work terms.

FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS:

1. Visit https://careerandcoop.georgiancollege.ca and click EMPLOYERS

2. Click Register for an Account and provide the required information.

You will receive an e-mail once your account has been approved. If you forget your login information, please click the Forgot Password button on the top-left corner of the page.

POST A JOB OPPORTUNITY:

1. Upon account approval, click Login

2. Select either Co-op/Internship or Career for the type of recruitment you wish to fulfill.

3. Upload your posting and complete and required fields.

4. You will be notified through e-mail once your posting is live.

SUBSIDIES AND TAX CREDITS:

By employing a co-op student, your company may be eligible to receive a tax credit from the provincial government and in addition may qualify for additional summer incentives.

Co-operative Education Tax Credit

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/cetc

Summer Job Service Wage Subsidy

http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/brochure/summerjobs.html

Federal Summer Wage Subsidy Program

http://www/servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/epb/yi/yep/programs/scpp.shtml

If you have additional inquiries, please e-mail careerandcoop@georgiancollege.ca

TOGETHER WE MAKE EDUCATION WORK!

Rent-to-Own Home Leasing Program

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:41:00 GMT

Did you know you can rent-to-own a home? This is an attractive option for people who haven’t been able to get approved for a mortgage through the conventional banks, don’t have a big down payment saved up, or are working on improving their credit.

Essentially, the realtor will put you into a two- or three-year term and work hand in hand to help you meet the goal of owning your home in that time. To start this process, you would ideally have a down payment of $3,000-$5,000 down, the equivalent of first and last month’s rent.

You’ll need to fill out an application and then wait for the results of your credit report and income verification. Next, you will meet with an independent mortgage specialist who will determine what you can afford and then go in search of an investor.

Once the investor improves your application, your realtor takes you shopping for a home in that price point.

When you’ve found a home that you like, the investor purchases the property and will own the house. You pay the investor a monthly rent, and a portion of that rent is set aside to go towards your 5% down payment. Once you’ve saved up the 5% down payment, you can transition to a traditional mortgage and take over ownership of the house.

Your realtor team will continue to work with you for the length of your two- or three-year term, including a financial planner. The financial planner can give you a budget to ensure you stay on track with the end result of you owning your own home.

If things are going well with your payment plan, you have the option of closing in just two years and owning your home sooner.

Some rent-to-own home programs force you to choose from pre-selected homes, so be sure to look for a program that gives you the flexibility to choose any home in your price range.

Melissa Chan is a sales representative with Remax Crossroads, specializing in residential real estate throughout Barrie and the surrounding areas. Her mission is to make the buying and selling experience as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, with a special focus on helping families find that perfect home to build a lifetime of memories.

Barrie Emerging Stronger 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:27:00 GMT

News Release:

Ontario Business Confidence Index show businesses plan to expand, but are unsure about future of Ontario economy.

To read more on the Business Confidence Index and Barrie Emerging Stronger report, please click the link below.

Barrie Emerging Stronger 2013

Who Does Your Business Stand Up For?

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:55:00 GMT

There are many good reasons for business owners to contribute time and money to charities or community efforts:

It is a way to give back and thank the community or communities where you do business
There are tax benefits to making charitable contributions
Serving on boards or volunteering on campaigns is a way to build relationships in the community and learn new skills you can apply in your business
You can increase your visibility in the community and help people remember your company when they need the products or services you provide

We all have a set number of hours in the day, and a limit to the dollars we can contribute. So how do we decide between so many worthwhile causes to stand behind?

One of the best ways to choose is by your personal connection to the issue. For example, I am proud to stand behind the “Be Someone Campaign to End Bullying” (http://www.iamsomeone.ca). The title of the campaign was inspired by the video plea of bullying victim 15-year-old Amanda Todd of Port Coquitlam, B.C., where she said, "I have nobody. I need someone."

Along with Amanda’s mother, Carol Todd, the campaign was initiated by several business leaders in the Port Coquitlam community, including Gary Mauris, the president of Dominion Lending Centre. He is using his connections in the community, and has already given much of his time and money, to bring awareness to this issue.

Carol Todd, was also involved in the campaign’s first Snowflake Walk in December 2012, held in Amanda’s memory.

As the parent of a child who was bullied, I definitely have a personal connection with this cause and I want to help build awareness of the devastating effects of bullying in all its forms.

As Gary Mauris pointed out in a video on the http://www.iamsomeone.ca site, kids can no longer come home from school and be safe from bullying. Bullies follow kids home and continue their attack through smartphones and computers, with traumatic results, as in the case of Amanda Todd’s suicide.

The Be Someone campaign has gotten national attention, and anyone can get involved by visiting their site at http://iamsomeone.ca/get-involved/. Another campaign with a local connection for us here in Barrie is the “Pledge to End Bullying” at http://www.thepledgetoendbullying.ca/.

Anne Martin, AMP, is a mortgage agent at Neighborhood Dominion Lending Centre. With access to over 50 of Canada's financial institutions, banks, credit unions and trust companies, her goal is to ensure her clients receive the best rates and products available to meet their family’s needs.

Plumbing Fixture Selection

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:02:00 GMT

Building a custom home? Renovating a bathroom? Your dreams can become reality with the extensive array of plumbing fixtures available to choose from. Zen spa or urban chic – its all there for the choosing. But of course, it’s only one of the many decisions you will have to make to complete your building or renovation.

Of course this variety in selection can be overwhelming. Start well ahead of time and try to narrow the possibilities to one or two styles of design that suit your taste. Then browse online galleries of manufacturers like American Standard, Kohler, Moen and Delta. Visit plumbing fixture showrooms where you can see and touch the fixtures that are set up in design vignettes. This will help cement the design ideas you’ve been dreaming about and may give you some options you hadn’t even imagined.

It’s important to select your fixtures early in the process. Some unique and/or European fixtures have different installation requirements. Some are wall mounted, and some may need to be built in. So you see, your plumber will likely need to communicate with other trades to make installation successful – not stressful.

Once you have decided on your make and style of fixtures you can purchase them yourself for installation by our plumber or provide our plumber with the make and models and they can do all the heavy lifting to provide and install the fixtures you have selected. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

If you need a plumber – call Plumbtech Plumbing Inc 705.722.7209 for a free estimate or visit us at www.PlumbtechPlumbing.com

Plumbtech Plumbing has been servicing Barrie and Simcoe County for two and half decades. We also service Muskoka, Parry Sound and south of Barrie including Innisfil, Alliston, Cookstown, Newmarket, Keswick – right into the GTA. We provide prompt service and quality workmanship to residential, commercial and light industrial customers with a staff of licensed professionals and a fleet of 10 trucks. We also provide 24 hour emergency service. Call today for a free estimate.

Smile. A better mortgage rate with all the bells and whistles.

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:47:00 GMT

2.85%* 5-year rate. Ask about Meridian's Better Than Market™ Mortgage today. Visit a branch or meridianmortgage.ca *APR. O.A.C. Sample rate only. This is the rate for a variable, closed mortgage with a term of 5 years. Rates are subject to change without notice. Some conditions apply. Interest is calculated semi-annually, not in advance.

Thinking BIG for small business

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Meridian offers small business banking with a personal touch. Your dedicated Small Business Advisor will take the time to know you and your business. They can offer market leading rates plus a full suite of competitive products and services. Many decisions are made at the branch based on your business needs. That's how we make small business feel big. To make an appointment with the Meridian Small Business Account Manager supporting the Simcoe District please contact: Scott Lithgow, Small Business Account Manager, Simcoe District. Telephone: 705-728-5199 ext. 7130. Email: scott.lithgow@meridiancu.ca Scott supports Small Business at the following Meridian branches: Barrie Branch 18 Collier St., Orillia Branch 73 Mississauga St., and Penetanguishene Branch 7 Poyntz St. For more information about small business at Meridian visit: meridiancu.ca/smallbusiness ™Trademarks of Meridian Credit Union.

China Trip Reunion- Thursday December 6th, 2012

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On Thursday December 6th, attendees from the Barrie Chamber of Commerce China Trip, reunited at the Queens Hotel in Barrie to exchange stories and photos. All attendees are anxiously awaiting the next upcoming China trip to be planned by the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce.

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China Trip Testimonials:

"Thank for a well organized trip. The hotels were fantastic. The group was fantastic. Brian and Lili were amazing tour guides. I had a wonderful time."

"What a wonderful trip we all had. It was made even better by the company we were in. What a great group of people!"

"Thank you Sybil for making it all possible and looking after all the stuff that we didn't have to do."

"Wonderful trip, wonderful bunch of people, special thanks to our tour guides Brian and Lili and especially to Sybil and Martha for putting it all together. Can't wait for the next trip!!"

The Conveniences of Chartering

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:44:00 GMT

CreeWest’s King Air 200 is one of the most cost effective corporate air charter aircraft available when seeking out your requirements for your hectic busy day. Clients, Corporations, organizations and government agencies utilize this means of travel as an improved and productive, efficient way of conducting business and provides safe travel means for their staff and executives.

Timing is of essence
Fly when you want to fly around your schedule
Access to destinations and or remote communities that are not serviced by commercial or scheduled airlines.
No Airport Line Ups
Less Total Travel Time. Corporate aircraft travel saves time.
Privacy and Confidential
Catering can be arranged
Reduce hotel bills and overnight expenses by doing same day travel
Charter allows you to visit more than one location in a business day
Allows you to safeguard and escort sensitive or precious cargo/documents etc..
Enhance flexibility

Aircraft charters can be more cost effective and economical then you think. When traveling with a group, take into consideration what a charter can do for you and compare against overnight expenses, meals etc….. Maybe you can complete your business in a day by chartering and save money overall.

www.creewest.ca Charter Flights Operated By: Air Bravo Corp

ron.basaraba@creewest.ca

CEO- CreeWest GP Inc.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Skilled Trades

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:22:00 GMT

Dear Valued Member,

I am pleased to provide you with this brief update on our recent activities and initiatives.

Advocacy at work

Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness
Addressing Canada’s skills crisis

Our skills work plan as set out in our skills report, Canada’s Skills Crisis: What We Heard, addresses four priority areas: upgrading the skills of existing labour force and better employing under-utilized groups; ensuring immigration policy is aligned with local labour markets and employers’ needs; improving the connections between educators and employers to balance supply with demand for skilled trades and highly skilled occupations; and optimizing the potential of the Aboriginal community and improving the employment opportunities for Aboriginal youth.

On Nov. 14, we hosted a symposium to tackle the upskilling issue. Closing the Skills Gap: Mapping a Path for Small Business was attended by small business representatives from across the country, along with government officials, subject matter experts and other stakeholders. The upcoming report on the symposium will include small business best practices in alleviating skills pressures; proposed actions to encourage increased essential skills development, skills upgrading and training of SMEs’ employees; and recommendations for policies and programs to encourage SMEs to focus more attention on skills development.

On Dec. 10, I will be hosting a private dinner meeting with the Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and senior executives in human resources from our membership.

Building 21^st century infrastructure
On Nov. 22, we hosted our first infrastructure roundtable in Toronto to discuss the key infrastructure challenges facing Canada in the long-term and to further develop our position on the infrastructure file.

Stimulating research and development and bringing it to market
In September, I wrote to the Minister of Finance to express our views and concerns on the proposed changes to the SR&ED Investment Tax Credit program. I stressed that the measures discriminate on the basis of company size and favour labour intensive R&D projects over capital intensive R&D and labour intensive industries over capital intensive sectors. The reduction in the general SR&ED tax credit rate, in particular, could adversely impact the ability of Canadian divisions of multinational corporations to attract global R&D mandates to Canada and hinder Canada’s ability to create a permanent, high-value employment base.

Attracting international investment
In September, we made another submission to the Department of Finance on the so-called “foreign affiliate dumping” proposals. The issue is of great importance to our members who are Canadian subsidiaries of foreign controlled companies. The government responded by making important changes to the proposals, mostly of a relieving nature.

To help promote the launch of the Canada-Japan free trade negotiations and to encourage greater investment in Canada, I travelled to Japan from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5 as a guest of the Japanese government. I visited the tsunami-ravaged area, spoke to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan and met with senior Japanese officials and business leaders. From Nov. 5 to 6, I was in New Delhi to attend the second annual Canada-India Business Forum. We partnered with the Canada-India Business Council to promote this important event. While in India, I emphasized the importance of the Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Thought leadership

In November, in partnership with The Centre for International Governance Innovation, we released Forging a New Strategic Partnership Between Canada and Mexico. This report calls on the governments of Canada and of Mexico to realign their bilateral relationship as a strategic partnership to strengthen both countries’ economies and security.

We will be releasing a number of reports in December. Our paper on Canada's North outlines recommendations to the federal government for creating the conditions to allow the territories to become full economic partners with the rest of Canada. Our electricity paper explores some of the competitiveness implications of reinvestment in Canada’s electricity sector. And, we’ll be distributing our annual economic review and outlook and issuing our annual report.

Lastly, we’ll be releasing, The World’s Mining Capital: How Canada Transformed Its Resource Endowment into a Global Competitive Advantage, in early 2013. This paper showcases the global success of the Canadian mining sector and demonstrates how Canada’s natural resource endowment can form the basis for sustained economic growth and prosperity.

Events

On Oct. 24, I participated in our Economic Edge Conference on smart cities, which we co-hosted with the Calgary Chamber. It was a great event that featured leading experts and provincial government officials. The highlights of the event included keynote presentations by IBM’s Vice President, Marketing, Smarter Cities, Rich Michos, Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Hon. Doug Griffiths, and Alberta’s Premier, the Hon. Alison Redford.

On Nov. 15, I had the honour of presenting Donald A. Guloien, the President and CEO of Manulife Financial, with our International Business Leader of the Year Award and with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. It was a lovely evening and was attended by many of Mr. Guloien’s friends, colleagues and business associates, as well as a number of foreign dignitaries, including U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson, Chinese Ambassador Junsai Zhang, Japanese Ambassador Kaoru Ishikawa and Indonesian Ambassador Dienne Moehario.

Stay connected

I encourage you to follow me, @PerrinBeatty, or the Canadian Chamber, @CdnChamberofCom, on Twitter or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CanadianChamberofCommerce.

On behalf of our board of directors and staff, I would like to thank you for your support in 2012 and wish you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

Perrin Beatty,
President & CEO

An Easy, Inexpensive Way to Protect Yourself from a Wet Basement This Winter

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:17:00 GMT

I have a nice piano set up in my basement, and I don't want anything to happen to it. That's why when I noticed water pooling at the corners of my new house, I took action!

Here's the problem: If rain water pools and gathers near your house, it causes the soil against your house to compact and settle. That creates a low spot against your house where the water will continue to settle.

Then, in the winter, when all that water freezes, it will push against the concrete foundation wall, causing it to crack. Once the foundation cracks, that water can penetrate right into your basement, leading to a high probability of mould, mildew, and damage to your carpet, flooring and furniture, not to mention the structural damage to your foundation wall, potentially thousands of dollars worth of damage!

A simple and inexpensive way to protect your home against this type of damage is to check your downspouts and the soil grading around your home. When it rains, does the water from the roof deposit against the side of your house? If so, you could be in trouble.

In my case, I'd already noticed some interlocking stones starting to sink due to soil settling, so I took some extra steps. I pulled up all the bricks so I could repair and build the base material underneath, which was limestone screening. Now that I've reset the interlocking bricks on the new foundation material, it looks just like a normal patio, but when it rains the water flows away from the house instead of towards it.

It was a few hours of hard labour and a couple of hundred bucks in materials, but my basement will be dry and my piano is safe! Even if you're not up to the heavy task of lifting and resetting your patio stones, just by making sure each downspout diverts that water out to the lawn, I recommend at least three or four feet away from the house, you can easily prevent major damage to your home.

Tall House Improvements can take care of many repairs and improvement projects around your home or office. For more information and photos, visit them online at http://www.tallhouse.ca

The Business Savings Account That Doesn't Take Time Off

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:10:00 GMT

The Meridian Business Advantage Plus account pays interest every day, on every penny when the balance is above $100,000. And right now, you'll earn 1.45% on CAD and .75% on US Dollar accounts. It's business banking that has your best interest in mind. For more information on our business accounts and expertise, or to find a Meridian Commercial Business Centre near you, visit businessadvantage.ca. Or give us a call at 1-866-592-2226. ™Trademark of Meridian Credit Union Limted. The posted interest rate is an annual rate and is subject to change without notice. Minimum balance of $100,000 is required to qualify for interest. Interest is calculated on the closing daily balance, and is paid monthly.

CreeWest Air: The King Air 200

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:22:00 GMT

Wacheyea

CreeWestair is an operating arm of CreeWest GP Inc and is 100% First Nation Cree owned with the Limited Partnerships being of Weenusk (Peawanuck), Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Kashechewan communities located along the James Bay Coast Ontario side and up towards the mouth of the Hudson Bay with Weenusk (Peawanuck) being the farthest ownership community.

For example and just to give you the reality of the distance, If you were to fly from Barrie to Weenusk on a charter flight it would take 3.5 hours one way with most certainly a fuel stop both ways in Moosonee northbound and southbound.

With the DeBeers Victor Diamond Mine located in the back yard of one of our ownership communities “Attawapiskat” and through IBA (Impact Benefit Agreements) CreeWest under our Limited Partnerships holds the Contract to the DeBeers Air Transportation passenger and cargo movement from Timmins to the Victor Site and vice versa. In a joint venture the work and performing duties/services are contracted to Air CreeBec.

This has given CreeWest the opportunity to build on their visions of their own airline operations and seek out opportunities in what is mandated by Chief and Councils to strive in these aviation endeavours.

With a Corporately Configured King Air 200 now based out of Lake Simcoe Regional Airport. Our goal is to compete in that Geographical area as well as to complement our business arrangement with our aircraft operator Air Bravo Corp.

-          7 + 1 passenger max seating
-          Maximum Pay load 2100 Ibs
-          Corporately configured for comfort and Business work
-          Lavatory on-board
-          PT6 Turbo Prop Engines
-          Pilots (2)
-          Travels at Cruising speed 260 knots (true speed)
-          Minimum Runway Length Required 3000 ft.

www.creewest.ca
Charter Flights Operated By: Air Bravo Corp.

ron.basaraba@creewest.ca
CEO- CreeWest GP Inc.

2012 Barrie Business Awards Gala

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:19:00 GMT

The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Barrie,
in partnership with OLG and PowerStream Inc.,
are pleased to announce the 2012 recipients of the Barrie Business Awards.

OLG Retail Business
Excellence Award
Ice Halo Ltd.
Barbara Armstrong, (705) 728-1561

BDC Manufacturing Business
Excellence Award
Busch Systems
Craig Busch, (705) 722-0806

Scotiabank Service Business Excellence Award
Grow Vantage
Donna Douglas, (705) 727-0789

Georgian College Hospitality Business Excellence Award
Tikka Boulevard- Anik Restaurants
Nikhil Baxi, (705) 812-3222

RBC Royal Bank
SOHO Business Excellence Award
Inciteful Solutions
Patricia Dent, (705) 241-9273

Strategy & Economic Development Office,
City of Barrie
New Business Award
Shred North
Ryan Giffen, (705) 796-6941

Rogers TV
Marketing & Promotions Award
ESS Direct
Sinda Simpson, (705) 730-1899

Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
Green Community Award
PowerStream Inc.
Caroline Karvonen, (905) 532-1057

PowerStream Inc. Green Project Award
Our Dry Cleaners
Ali Merani, (705) 737-4482

Mayor's Employer of the Year
Georgian College
MaryLynn West-Moynes, (705) 728-1968

The Barrie Examiner Community Award
Seasons Centre for Grieving Children
Joan Kennedy, (705) 721-5437

Also presented during the gala event was the Arch Brown Entrepreneur Award of Excellence. This year it went to Barbara Armstrong of Ice Halo Ltd., (705) 728-1561

Photo: MARK WANZEL/BARRIE EXAMINER/SUN MEDIA

Co-Presented by:		Media/Filming Sponsor:

· The Barrie Examiner · BDC · Downtown Barrie Business Association · · Georgian College · RBC Royal Bank · Scotiabank · Laurentian University · · Strategy & Economic Development Office, City of Barrie · Randstad ·

A better rate to lighten up your mortgage. Imagine that.

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:13:00 GMT

TRAIN IN TRADES INITIATIVE- Press Release on November 21st, 2012

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 17:47:00 GMT

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman and Member of Provincial Parliament Rod Jackson today jointly announced the official launch of the Train in Trades Initiative (Acronym TNT), in response to a growing shortage of skilled employees to support industrial growth in the region.

"Our latest look at the situation suggests that at least 400 jobs were available in skilled trades in Barrie in late October - despite Barrie having a relatively high unemployment rate. The Train in Trades program is our effort to help get the word out about these jobs and the skilled trades training opportunities that exist right here in Barrie. It's about making more jobs accessible to our residents" stated Mayor Lehman.

While the Barrie area continues to struggle with an unemployment rate higher than the provincial average there are more than 200 skilled jobs available in the region and a shortage of trained applicants.

Over the next year, the initiative will work to close the gap between available jobs and qualified people through a public-awareness campaign and community outreach culminating in a Skilled-Trades Expo and Job Fair in April 2013.

“There is a significant misconception around manufacturing and the skilled trades,” said MPP Jackson. “Manufacturing has changed and these are creative, problem-solving jobs. Our vision is to lead the province in attracting industry to locate in Barrie due to our skilled labour pool.”

The TNT initiative is a collaborative effort among The City of Barrie, The Office of the Member of Provincial Parliament, Georgian College, The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce and the community-at-large.

CreeWest GP Inc / CreeWestair Air Charter Flights New Base of Operations in Barrie

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:43:00 GMT

Who Are We?

CreeWest General Partner (GP) Inc. which is a privately held Ontario registered corporation based in Moose Factory, Ontario. As a First Nation owned business, we are committed to the advancement of General Partnerships and Joint Ventures emphasizing on First Nation employment and subcontracting opportunities wherever possible.

CreeWest is pleased to announce the New Base of Operations located here in Barrie. In 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of a Beechcraft King Air 200. The acquisition of the aircraft was completed in February 2010 with a final purchase price of $990,000 USD. This aircraft now calls the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport in Barrie its home and open for business in the Air Charter Market out of Barrie and the southern geographical area it will serve in that corporate market.

Our Background

A regional working group consisting of community economic development representatives from the Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Cree and Weenusk First Nations brought about the initial idea for CreeWest in 2004. The group was formed in part to ensure that the participating First Nations were able to participate in the benefits arising from the construction and operations of the De Beers Canada Victor Project. During 2005, several planning sessions were held with the support of Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation. By the late fall of 2005, the Chiefs of each of the proposed Limited Partners & Shareholders had come to consensus on the business structure of the Limited Partnership and authorized the establishment of CreeWest LP. CreeWest Limited Partnership was established in February 2006 when the partnership was registered and CreeWest General Partner Inc. was incorporated.

In February 2006, CreeWest GP Inc. was established as an Ontario for-profit corporation. CreeWest is owned by its four First Nation shareholders (Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, and Weenusk) who each own one share. Each shareholder is entitled to appoint one representative to the Board of Directors. CreeWest GP Inc. is the General Partner of the CreeWest Limited Partnership. As the General Partner, it is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Limited Partnership. This includes the preparation and implementation of the Limited Partnership’s business plan.

The Business of Partnership

The business of the Partnership is governed by one essential document – the Limited Partnership Agreement. This document explicitly states what the Partnership can do and cannot do. This was most recently amended in 2008 by the Chiefs. It allowed us to focus on two very specific contracting opportunities at Victor Mine (trucking and air transportation). It also allows us to invest in a junior mining company and establish a regional airline. In addition to this document, the Chiefs also passed a resolution that same year authorizing the investment in the aviation industry. When CreeWest was initially established, the Attawapiskat LP negotiated the business contracts with Air Creebec and Larabie Inc. on behalf of the Partnership. The terms of the agreement with Air Creebec have remained the same ever since; however; we significantly altered the terms of the work with Larabie Inc. – resulting in the establishment of CreeWest Logistics at the time.

The purpose of CreeWest is to seek out business opportunities for the ownership communities in general partnerships and joint venture agreements with organizations, companies and individuals that in return are looking to do business in the ownership communities and beyond working collectively in partnership securing contracts, work, First Nations employment, and developing good solid business ventures and relations.

Ron Basaraba – CEO CreeWest GP Inc ron.basaraba@creewest.ca

www.creewest.ca

Make every penny count (and multiply) with a 1.45% savings rate on Meridian’s Business Advantage Plus Account

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:33:00 GMT

™Trademark of Meridian Credit Union Limted. The posted interest rate is an annual rate and is subject to change without notice. Minimum balance of $100,000 is required to qualify for interest. Interest is calculated on the closing daily balance, and is paid monthly.

How Do You Want To Feel About Your Savings 18 Months From Now?

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:20:00 GMT

It's Meridian's Save Happy 18 month 2.20% GIC. With one of the highest rates on the market, Meridian's NEW Save Happy GIC hits the sweet spot with 2.20%. And with a shorter term of only 18 months, your money won't be locked up for years on end. Start earning more and protecting your savings today!

Drop by a branch or visit us online at meridiancu.ca to learn more.

A minimum investment of $1,000 provides a guaranteed rate of return. Interest is calculated annually and paid upon maturity at the end of the 18 months. This limited time offer is available only until December 15, 2012.

The Benefits of Using a Mortgage Broker

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:31:00 GMT

When you need a mortgage, you go to the bank, right? What if there was another option that offered a wealth of benefits to you and your family?

There’s a common misconception that mortgage brokers are just for people who have bad credit and might have a tough time being approved for a mortgage. That’s simply not true. Mortgage brokers offer many advantages over banks, first and foremost being able to obtain a better rate for you.

Do you want one choice or many options?
When you deal with the bank, they have one rate to offer. Mortgage brokers will usually go to at least five lenders to compare rates. At The Mortgage Wellness Group, we actually have 26 different lenders that we deal with.

Do you want the expertise of one mortgage professional or an entire team?
When you work with a mortgage broker company such as The Mortgage Wellness Group, you don’t just get a mortgage broker, you get a full team of mortgage specialists all working to give you the best customer service experience with a personalized approach.

There’s a business development person who spends her time volunteering in the community and creating community relationships. There are specially-trained client care representatives uniquely trained to handle mortgages and keep you in the loop during the entire process.

Do you want your mortgage application underwritten by a stranger somewhere out there, or by someone you know?
When you’re applying for a mortgage, the underwriter is the person who looks over your application and puts your data together in a way that will be most appealing to potential lenders.

When you go to the bank for your mortgage, usually they have to send the documents out for underwriting. The Mortgage Wellness Group has an on-site underwriter with 35 years of experience – someone you can actually meet, talk to and get to know.

She can explain exactly what’s going on, and in the case where an application isn’t accepted, she can work with you and the rest of your mortgage team to find alternatives.

Your bank is the right place to go when you’re looking for bank accounts, RESPs and many other financial products. But when it comes to mortgages, they only give you one rate to choose from. A mortgage broker is a one-stop shop of mortgage specialists with access to dozens of lenders.

Do you have time to shop around for 26 different quotes for your mortgage? Why not let a team of award-winning mortgage specialists do it for you.

You can learn more about The Wellness Mortgage Group at www.mortgagewellness.ca. You can reach us directly at 888-930-1050 or visit us at 35 Worsley Street, Suite 201 in Barrie.

Barrie Chamber of Commerce China Trip in SNAP!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Fifty members of the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce left for a once in a lifetime adventure to China. The ten day excursion took the members to Beijing, Suzhau, Hangzhou and Shanghai where they experienced tours such as The Great Wall, The Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City and many more amazing sights. The trip was available at an incredible price to the members and included; airfare, 5 star hotel accommodations, 3 meals per day, deluxe bus tours and entrance fees to all the attractions. Welcome back to all the members and we hope to see you on the next trip!

To see pictures and read more about the China trip see this month's edition of SNAP!

http://www.snapbarrie.com/?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=454916&utm_source=email&utm_medium=snapd

Sales Strategies to Grow Your Business

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:01:00 GMT

1. Network Online and Offline
Networking is a great way to find new customers online and offline. LinkedIn is an excellent online tool because you can easily find groups that your customers follow based on their job title, geography and industry. You should also make it a habit to attend live industry events. Check out the Barrie of Chamber of Commerce Calendar to see upcoming events that you can attend.

2. Create an Incentive Program for Your Employees
Incentive based rewards can help your sales team stay motivated. But before you go out and buy prizes, make sure that you set goals for the company and for each employee so that you can measure progress. Be sure to put the company sales goal where your employees can see it and make sure you update them on the progress they're making every week. Also, be sure to follow up with employees who are lagging behind to see if they need any help or training.

2. Ask Your Customers for Referrals
If your customers like you then you should have no problem asking them for referrals. Give one of your happy customers a call and ask if they know anyone that they could introduce you to. Provide them with your sales message so they understand what you're doing and ask if they can introduce you to the person via email or conference call. After the customer has referred you, make sure you contact them three times afterwards.

Once after they agree to refer you.
After you’ve met the person as sort of a status update.
Once after getting the sale.

Referrals are like a report card – the number you get will tell you how well you’re doing at building business relationships and friendships with your customers. If you aren’t getting referrals you may need to improve your product or your customer service.

4. Offer Your Customers Something for Free
Give your customers something small and they'll be more likely to buy from you in the future. You can give them a free sample, or 10-day trial, or even a free eBook. By offering your customers something small they'll be more likely to reciprocate later on according to Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of "The Psychology of Persuasion." By giving someone a free gift, they become more likely to listen to your product's features, donate to a cause, or tip an extra few dollars. Even a small gift or information can increase your chances of getting a 'yes'.

5. Make it Easy for Customers to Pay You
One of the simplest sales strategies is to accept credit and debit cards. By accepting electronic payments you provide the customer with more convenient ways to pay you (not to mention that customers paying with credit typically spend 20% more than customers who pay by cash or cheque). For more information about how accepting electronic payments can benefit your business, contact Bruce MacGillivray, Sales Consultant, Moneris Solutions. bruce.macgillivray@moneris.com

How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Dumpster Divers

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:39:00 GMT

Document management is becoming more and more critical to the success and or failure of an individual or company.

Simply throwing your unwanted documents in the garbage or recycling bin has the potential for rummaging and theft by so called dumpster divers. This new breed of criminals specifically look for paper, receipts or anything containing your personal or company information.

These documents and pieces of information are like gold and can be used to gather identification such as credit card numbers, social insurance numbers, bank statements, etc. and, unfortunately, can be used for criminal activity.

Identity theft is a product of today’s environment and is causing a growing sensitivity to protecting your valuable information. You hear victims' stories in the news almost every day, as we hear about breaches of sensitive documents and the resulting liability or financial loss. The risk is real, and you and your company can be held liable for any potential damage that may result.

So how do we safeguard our privacy and protect ourselves? Burning the paper in the fireplace is not the answer since it adds to the risk of environmental damage.

The best method is utilizing a professional company that specializes in document destruction and who has the knowhow and experience – not to mention the safeguards of its employees being bonded with the appropriate police checks.

Absolute Destruction & Recycling Corp. is that type of company. They have been in business for over 12 years and have the specialized equipment to handle your document destruction job with both efficient and cost-effective methods.

Their drivers are knowledgeable and courteous and go the extra mile to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Document destruction is completed on-site and they issue a Certificate of Destruction to complete the process. They are truly your guardians of security! www.absolutedestruction.ca

Mayor's Luncheon Photos

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

{module_photogallery,21960}

Mayor's Luncheon was held Monday September 24th, 2012

Mayor Jeff Lehman was joined by Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce members in a delicious luncheon at Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club. Introduced by Chamber Director Sybil Goruk and President David Zilstra, Mayor Jeff Lehman informed Chamber members and the public on the advances made to Barrie's economy and community, and how local businesses can do their part to help this city grow.

Fall Tradeshow 2012 Photos

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The Barrie Chamber of Commerce Annual Fall Tradeshow was held at the Army Navy Air Force September 19th, 2012. The Tradeshow was well attended by visitors and members. {module_photogallery,21945}

Travelling? Check Your Employee Benefits Before You Go

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

As the weather cools down, many Canadians are counting down the days until their winter vacation. Whether you’re looking to travel outside your home province or outside the country, you want to make sure that you have travel health coverage to protect against unforeseen medical emergencies.

If you have employee benefits, you may not need to purchase additional travel insurance. The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan^® Health option, for example, provides a wide range of travel benefits to insured employees and family members. These people do not typically need to buy additional short-term personal policies unless they plan to be away for an extended period of time.

Chambers Plan Voyage Assistance takes care of a broad range of expenses that exceed the amounts covered by OHIP. Covering typical charges like hospital services, semi-private room charges and doctors' bills, Voyage Assistance will also translate, direct claimants to local medical facilities, advance payments required prior to treatment, and evacuate patients to more appropriate facilities nearer home. The coverage also provides return of vehicle, lost luggage, and lost document services.

Check your group policy for travel coverage before you leave on vacation. See what benefits you’re entitled to and note any limits that apply (such as a maximum trip duration or age restrictions). You may be able to save yourself the cost of additional insurance coverage when you travel.

To learn more about the travel benefits available with Chambers Plan, contact your local advisor, Pat Silver, Certified Health Insurance Specialist, at 705-797-2090 or psilver@csolve.net

Market Your Business Personally Through Welcome Wagon

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:26:00 GMT

Local businesses are discovering the advantages of partnering with Welcome Wagon to connect with new clients. In this day of social media marketing, the personal touch of Welcome Wagon is like a breath of fresh air.

Just the name Welcome Wagon brings smiles to people’s faces. For 82 years our representatives have been the personal, friendly presence in the lives of new residents, new mothers, new businesses, brides planning their wedding, and people preparing for retirement. Businesses who give out gifts and coupons through Welcome Wagon are seen as civic minded and generous.

By presenting your business to potential consumers in such a personal and direct way, the Welcome Wagon representative becomes a member of your sales team, connecting you with people at a time in their life when they need the resource your business is offering. Following up with the list of leads you receive each month is a rewarding experience when you’re first thanked for the gift you’ve already given.

With Welcome Wagon’s exclusivity policy, your business is the only one in its category represented in each program.

In addition to the privilege of visiting people in their homes and new businesses, the Barrie Welcome Wagon team hosts five shows each year – two bridal showcases, two baby showers for expectant moms, and a 50+ show for people planning for retirement. Openings are available for businesses to book a table at our two fall shows: Baby Shower – October 3 at 6:00 p.m. and Bridal Showcase – October 24 at 6:30. All shows are held at the Army Navy Air Force Club at 7 George Street.

For more information about Welcome Wagon’s services, contact Mary Van Essen at m.vanessen.2010@hotmail.com or 705-241-0219, or visit our website at www.welcomewagon.ca

Social Eblast - Wellness in the Workplace

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:48:00 GMT

Interested in increasing staff productivity and reducing absenteeism?

Wellness in the Workplace

With increased cost in benefits and additional sick time, employers are looking for new and innovative ways of enhancing the health and wellbeing of staff. How much money and time are you willing to save?

Stress, emotional upset, injuries, environment factors and toxins can lead to a decline in physical, emotional and/or mental health. Employees are the backbone of industry. Your business relies on their wellness for its success. However, the reality of everyday living is one that often compromises the communication of our body’s systems.

Less stress, improved health, focus and contentment may occur as a result of these holistic therapies that I provide:

The BodyTalk System

An effective, non-invasive therapy that uses the body’s own wisdom to locate the imbalances that are causing symptoms and corrects them, using a light tapping technique to restore balance. This affects change with speedy results at all levels- chemical, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Shown to improve: many chronic and painful conditions, disorders, headaches, trauma, injuries, anxiety, family and business dynamics.

Reiki

An effective, ancient light touch method that uses universal life force energy to speed healing and restore vital energy. After a session, one may experience a sense of calm, feelings of deep relaxation and/or a reduction of pain, tension or discomfort caused by chronic diseases, injuries and anxiety.

Upon payment of the therapy fee, the client is issued an official receipt indicating my registered therapist certification. Canada Revenue Agency has indicated to me this would qualify as an Eligible Medical Expense for income tax purposes. Or a business owner may be able to claim it under the Cost Plus feature of their Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, or other employee benefits plan. I suggest you contact your plan in advance to confirm and obtain more details.

NEW LOCATION:

Bodystream: 51 King St. units 1-2, Barrie Ont. 705 726-2004

King St. is one street south of Mapleview at the corner of Reid (close to Veteran’s Dr. in the southwest area of Barrie.)

Janine Hutchinson, CBP

Certified Body Talk Practitioner

Member of the International BodyTalk Association

Registered Reiki Master

Teacher with the Canadian Reiki Association

Email Janine: jhutchinson@bodystream.ca for more information

For an appointment, call Bodystream 705 726-2004

How Prescription Drug Coverage Works in the Chamber Plan

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:52:00 GMT

According to a study that appeared in the January 16, 2012 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, one in 10 Canadians don’t adhere to their prescription medication(s) due to cost concerns (source: Benefits Canada).If you have health benefits through your employer, or you are an entrepreneur or a business owner with a health insurance plan, some – but not necessarily all – of your prescription drug costs will be covered by your plan. When you pick up your medications at the pharmacy, you simply present your health plan card so you only have to pay for the amount that is not covered by your plan. Prescription drug costs represent about 70% of all claims to an insurance company. In an effort to manage plan costs for companies and premium costs for individuals, most insurance companies identify a specific set of the most commonly dispensed, widely-proven and effective drugs. It is not a brand name versus generic listing but rather a list of cost-effective and therapeutic equivalents to most "brand" drugs. With the Chambers of Commerce Plan, for example, most of our options are based on a Managed Health Care (MHC) system using the Telus National Formulary for prescriptions. By encouraging both doctors and patients to choose from this list of the least expensive and most medicinally-effective medications, insurance companies can control the cost of their prescription drug claim payments and therefore can keep costs lower for everyone. Insured employees are able to manage their own costs and coverage levels. If the prescription you want is not covered at the level you desire, you can speak to your doctor or pharmacist to find a therapeutic equivalent that has a higher level of coverage for you. Or you can get the prescription you want and accept the lower coverage rate. Either way, you are helping your employer manage the plan costs, which ultimately saves money for everyone. Here's another tip for managing your medication costs: Compare pharmacies and choose one with a lower dispensing fee – this can make a huge difference. Jeremy Mott is an Employee Benefits, Life and Disability Specialist with Norbram Group Insurance Benefits Inc., carriers of the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan – the largest group insurance plan in Canada for small to mid-sized companies. Businesses with 1-50 employees are eligible, and you can customize your coverage by selecting only the benefits you need.

The Big Decision CBC Press Release

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

CBC Show Returns to Search for Canadian Companies to Feature on The BIG Decision - The producers of CBC's hit show Dragon's Den are looking for Canadian Companies to participate in the second season of the reality business show The BIG Decision. For more information please visit http://barriechamber.com/eBroadcast/2012-July/TheBigDecision also visit www.cbc.ca/thebigdecision for more details

Sick of paying such high phone bills?

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Find out how to cut your costs by 50-80%!

We are Lake Country Office Solutions Inc.…..your complete business solution. Here we don’t say no to anything. Everything is an opportunity to us! We started with selling photocopiers; we are a Samsung and Konica Minolta dealer. We sell and service photocopiers, fax machines and printers or all-in-one solutions. Then we thought why stop there! So we bought Hamilton & Company, a quality furniture business. You need any high-quality furniture for your office? We have it. We didn’t stop there! Next were supplies; anything from a pencil to binders, or soap for the office. We have a massive selection of office supplies to offer businesses. Our newest adventure is phones! And what an adventure! We are now a Fibernetics dealer. We have been SAVING businesses 50-80% off their operating cost! Can you believe that? Probably not right? But we have the customers to prove it to you! We have over 50 happy customers! Our customers range from car dealerships to lawyers and real estate offices. We have been eliminating their monthly voice line charges; no more paying for each line you have! We have also been able to keep their existing phone numbers, deliver flawless voice clarity, and save money on their internet. With over 50 features: Elimination of Cell Phone Long Distance, Unlimited Conference Bridging, Voicemail to E-mail, Unlimited Local Extensions, Call Display and many more. These are all included in their low monthly cost! Sounds too good to be true? We know! But it isn’t. And, we can prove it to you. It is a simple and easy process. All we need is a current phone bill, and we can get a quote to you to prove that we are as good as we sound!

So if you are tired of your high monthly costs for phones, then there really isn’t a reason not to give Lake Country Office Solutions Inc. a call or stop by! 9 Progress Dr, Unit 2A, Orillia, ON L3V 6H1 Phone: 705-326-0907 Lake Country Office Solutions

Barrie Business Awards Gala - Call for Nominations Now Open

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Preparations for the 10th Annual Barrie Business Awards Gala are underway & the organizing committee is asking for YOUR help in finding Barrie’s best & brightest companies. This awards program was initiated to recognize the contribution of local businesses to the continued growth & success of our community.

Nominations can be submitted in a variety of categories, including:

Retail Business Excellence Award
Manufacturing Business Excellence Award
Service Business Excellence Award
Hospitality Business Excellence Award
SOHO (Small Office Home Office) Business Excellence Award
EDO New Business Award
Marketing & Promotions Award
Green Community Award
Green Project Award
Mayor's Employer of the Year Award
Community Award (non-profit, charity, or institutional organizations only; for-profit businesses are not eligible for the community award, please submit your nominations for businesses in the appropriate sector of business excellence award above)
Arch Brown Entrepreneur Award of Excellence

Do you know any outstanding Barrie businesses?
Nominate Your Associates, Your Peers, or Your Favourite Employer.

Nominations must be received by
Midnight Friday August 10th, 2012

Nominations can be submitted online at

www.barriechamber.com/barrie-business-awards-nominations

26th Annual Golf Tournament a Great Success

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

26th Annual Golf Tournament a great success. Congratulations to all the Winners.

Member eNews Blog Post - Five Rules for Writing the Best Web Content

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:36:00 GMT

By Debbie Ouellet, EchelonOne Consulting

Five Rules for Writing the Best Web Content

You’ve got 10 seconds. That’s how long the average person will spend on your site before deciding if it’s worth their while to read on. Want to keep them reading (and to contact you)? Follow these Five Rules for Writing the Best Web Content.

Rule #1: Say the most important thing first.

Imagine you could only tell that ideal client one thing that would make them want to contact you. What would it be? If you want to catch someone’s attention upfront…say that first…clearly and simply.

Rule #2: It’s not about you.

When writing web content, write from your client’s point of view. Even when you’re writing about your skills and accomplishments, it’s important to remember, it still isn’t about you. Instead, write how your skills and accomplishments help a client solve problems. You’ll engage a potential client faster and keep them reading longer.

Rule #3: No message connects with everyone.

Messages often get lost because people try to write to attract everyone. The fact is; these types of messages get so diluted that they end up appealing to no one.

The best way to write content that feels focused and genuine is to choose one ideal client and write as if you were writing to them personally. It doesn’t mean that you won’t do business with other types of clients. It just means that your message will resonate with your ideal customer and make them feel like you understand them.

Rule #4: Keep it simple.

It’s a proven fact that simple messages sell more. People are busy and don’t have the time to weed through a lot of information to get what they need. Find the simplest way to communicate your message. Use bullets and short sentences to make it easy to scan through your content. Your readers will thank you.

Rule #5: Keywords aren’t your message.

When people concentrate on forcing web content around their keywords, the result is often writing that’s wooden and boring. Don’t get me wrong…keywords are important for SEO. But they aren’t your message. If you want convincing content that reads well, write a great message first. Then find the natural places where your keywords can fit in.

Remember…keywords will get someone to your page. A great message will move them to action.

What types of web content keep you interested and engaged?

For more tips, visit the EchelonOne Blog at www.echelonone.ca.

Debbie Ouellet

CCC Skills Survey #'s 7 & 8

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:23:00 GMT

As part of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network’s ongoing consultation on the issues related to skills/competitiveness, they are pleased to be able to provide you with a survey to gather your input on this important issue under the skills umbrella. We encourage you to provide feedback on all of our surveys on skills issues.

This is the seventh survey they have sought your input on. This short survey (8 questions) focuses on issues relative to skilled trades and labour mobility. Here’s the link to the survey: http://bit.ly/Top10survey07

A short one-page backgrounder on skilled trades and labour mobility is available.

This is the eighth and final survey they have sought your input on. This short survey (5 questions) focuses on issues relative to domestic skills development and focuses on Aboriginal peoples. Here’s the link to the survey: http://bit.ly/Top10survey08

A short one-page backgrounder on this topic is available if you wish to include it with your survey communications to your members.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t filled out our previous surveys they are still live and waiting for you to comment. The list of previous surveys follows:

Survey 1 on post-secondary education: http://bit.ly/Top10survey1

Survey 2 on life-long learning: http://bit.ly/Top10survey2

Survey 3 on older workers and people with disabilities: http://bit.ly/top10survey3

Survey 4 on integration services of immigrants: http://bit.ly/Top10survey4

Survey 5 on immigration potential through temporary foreign workers; permanent workers and international students: http://bit.ly/Top10survey5

Survey 6 on early childhood education programs: http://bit.ly/Top10survey6

Member eNews Blog Post - Employee Qualifications – Setting the Bar

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Sinda Simpson, ESS Direct

When you have a new position to fill in your business, one of the first things you'll think about is what types of qualifications the successful candidate should have. It is very important to be realistic in this process and not set the bar too high.

You may be tempted to create a long list of qualifications and ask for many years of relevant experience. This often happens when you focus on the problems or issues you want this position to resolve.

Yet think about some of the most successful people in your company. What makes them successful? This will usually be a combination of specific skill sets and personality traits. Now think about the new position and what will be required for the successful candidate to fit into that role and excel. It is better to focus on the whole package of skills and characteristics that will provide the candidate with the best chance of success in your organization.

For example, you may think you need a skilled computer programmer with five to seven years of experience. Yet it may also be equally essential that the candidate be able to collaborate with the non-technical people in your organization to understand how the program needs to work for the business. It may be that two years of experience is more than adequate when combined with good listening skills and the ability to interact well with diverse groups.

If you set the bar too high you run some risks. One is that great candidates won’t apply if they do not fulfill the requirements on the list, even if they have all the skills necessary to accomplish the required tasks. The second risk is that you will attract candidates who are in reality over-qualified for the job. You either won’t meet their salary needs, or they will take the job but not stay as they really weren’t a good fit.

So when the time comes to define the qualifications for a new position, be realistic and tap into the knowledge and experience you have gained from other employee situations.

Sinda Simpson is co-owner of ESS Direct. ESS Direct takes the stress of the staffing process, specializing in industrial and administrative support, as well as clerical, skilled trades, general labour, business professionals, accounting professionals and more. For a complimentary needs assessment tailored specifically to your business, visit http://www.essdirect.ca or call 705-730-1899.

Chamber Executive Director and Member Honoured with Awards

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:42:00 GMT

Sybil Goruk, Executive Director of the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce was recently honoured with the The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The award is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians will be recognized. Congratulations Sybil.

Sybil Goruk,
Executive Director,
Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Patricia Silver, owner of Silver Insurance, for receiving the Ronald J. Beriault MemorialAward for Highest Retention for 2011-2012 from Johnson Group Inc. This recognizes Patricia’s results as the top advisor in Ontario for Chamber of Commerce Group Plans. Patricia serves The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce by promoting the Chamber Group plan designed for companies with 1-5 employees. Well done Patricia.

Patricia Silver, owner of Silver Insurance
and Brett Tanner,Regional Marketing Director for Johnston Group Inc.

Patricia Silver Honoured with Ronald J. Beriault Memorial Award

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:27:00 GMT

Patricia Silver Honoured with

Ronald J. Beriault Memorial Award

Patricia Silver, owner of Silver Insurance and
Brett Tanner, Regional Marketing Director for Johnston Group Inc.

The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Patricia Silver owner of Silver Insurance for receiving the Ronald J. Beriault Memorial Award for Highest Retention for 2011-2012 from Johnson Group Inc. This recognizes Patricia’s results as the top advisor in Ontario for Chamber of Commerce Group Plans. Patricia serves. The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce by promoting the Chamber Group plan designed for companies with 1-5 employees. Well done Patricia.

CCC Webinar - Aboriginal Workforce Development - June 27

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present the final of several webinars that focus on the human resource challenges that chambers and their members face today. We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable information.

Their webinar will focus on Aboriginal workforce development. This webinar will take place on June 27, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT.

As Canadian businesses encounter skills and labour shortages, they look with interest at Canada’s fast growing Aboriginal population. An estimated 400,000 Aboriginal Canadians will be old enough to enter the work place over the next decade – the largest underutilized labour force in the country.

Canadian businesses face challenges, however, with the inclusion and full participation of Aboriginals in the workplace. Lower education levels on-reserve, cultural and social differences are all mentioned as challenges among employers.

In this webinar, you will learn:

How to find and hire Aboriginal workers
Best practices for boosting opportunities for Aboriginals in the workplace
How business can confront the critical issue of inadequate education among Aboriginal workers

As National Chief Shawn Atleo told the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in March, “With a shortage of skilled labour at a time when our populations across many of these regions are dramatically undereducated and underemployed, it is not difficult to see both the urgent problem and the clear solution.”

There is no cost for participation. We ask participants to pre-register by clicking here.

Member eNews Blog Post - Be Good to Your Skin

Thu, 31 May 2012 18:10:00 GMT

By Terri Vicari, Arbonne International

Did you know that whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream in just seven seconds? And that these products may contain dyes or chemicals that can be toxic to our system?

Once that happens, we store these toxins in our systems and that can make us sluggish. At May's Business Breakfast Networking event we learned from naturopath Dr. Whitney Young that as a population our bodies are overloaded from processed foods that they don't know what to do with. Well, the products we use on our skin and hair can add to that burden, causing things like fatigue, brittle nails and flat hair.

When we choose botanical (plant-based) health and beauty products, our bodies can release them through the natural processes of breathing and sweating.

World-renowned environmentalist David Suzuki identified what he calls the "Dirty Dozen" toxic ingredients that are commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products. When the Suzuki Foundation surveyed Canadians about what was in their bathrooms, 80% of their products contained at least one of these harmful chemicals. (Hint: Google "dirty dozen shopper's guide" for a downloadable PDF you can take to the store, cupboards and purse to weed out any offenders.)

As we're heading into the summer season, it's timely to point out that sun exposure is one of the primary causes of extrinsic aging (preventable aging of the skin caused by environmental factors). Just imagine an apple that's been left out in the sun; it will wrinkle, dry up and lose most of its moisture – the same thing happens to your skin.

Note that a lot of traditional sun protection products can be harmful to your health. Many contain parabens, which appear on Suzuki's Dirty Dozen list. Something else to consider is that while oil-based sun-care products will clog up your pores, plant-based or botanical products will absorb completely.

By choosing botanical products for your entire family from young to old, you can care for them in the most natural and healthy way.

Terri Vicari is an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International. With over 30 years of experience, we are a leader in botanical, vegan and environmentally-friendly products for health and wellness, skincare, cosmetics and sun care. She teaches people how to create an income by redirecting the money they already on personal products.

GREEN STEP OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:47:00 GMT

Green Step, an initiative of the Barrie Chamber, was officially launched on May 20th at an event held at Bodystream. The mandate of the committee, comprised of a group of dedicated volunteer organizations from within the Chamber membership, is to educate and promote sustainable growth and conservation practices within the areas of environment, energy and the economy, by engaging the Barrie community.

Green Step has developed an ECO Business Checklist, a tool that businesses can use to assess their current level of sustainability, determine where they can make improvements and identify potential savings. Committee volunteers have gone onsite to the businesses to help them complete the assessment.

Businesses that have completed the assessment were invited to this event to receive a certificate and a window decal to display at their business to identify them as having completed the assessment. They are:

Back to Basics - Gold 82%

Barrie City Hall - Silver 67%

Bodystream - Gold 79%

GEEP - Gold

Georgian College - Gold

Habitat for Humanity Huronia ReStore - Gold 96%

Karen Fox - Gold 93%

Networth Computing/Barrie Earth Hour Music Festival - Platinum 106% (due to reinvestment pledge)

Northern Self Storage - Gold 84%

PowerStream - Gold 76%

Press4You - Gold 90%

RePower Canada Inc. - Gold 97%

Silver Insurance - Gold 91%

Simcoe Community Services - Silver 59%

CCC Webinar - Connecting Education and Employment - May 30

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:42:00 GMT

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present the third of several webinars that will focus on the human resource challenges that chambers and their members face today. We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable information.

This webinar will focus on Connecting Education and Employment and will take place on May 30, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Tomorrow’s skilled workforce is being trained and educated today in universities and community colleges across the country. How closely will the graduates of the future match your demand as employers? In this webinar, you will hear and learn:

valuable advice on how a chamber and its business community can really benefit from relations with post-secondary institutions;
why businesses should take advantage of co-op programs, apprenticeships and internships; and,
how the business community can shape its future workforce coming out of community colleges, polytechnics and universities.

Whether you are looking for employee training, for an intern or apprentice, or for next year’s talent, this webinar will focus on the opportunities and best practices for connecting with educators in your community.

There is no cost for participation. Participants are asked to pre-register by clicking here.

CCC Skills Survey #5: Immigration Potential - Improving Canada's Immigration Processes

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:14:00 GMT

As part of the chamber network’s ongoing consultation on the issues related to skills/competitiveness, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be able to provide you with a survey to gather input on this important issue under the skills umbrella.

We encourage you to provide feedback on all of their surveys on skills issues. This is the fifth survey they have sought your input on. This survey (13 questions) focuses on issues relative to immigration processes for temporary foreign workers; permanent workers and international students. Here’s the link to the survey: http://bit.ly/Top10survey5

A short one-page backgrounder on each of these immigration processes, Temporary Foreign Workers, Permanent Workers and International Students is available if you.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t filled out survey #1 on post-secondary education; survey #2 on life-long learning, survey #3 on older workers and people with disabilities, and survey #4 on integration services for immigrants they are still live and waiting for you and your members to comment.

A reminder: the Canadian Chamber will be holding its third skills-related webinar on May 30 at 1 PM ET (please check your local time zone). This webinar is titled Connecting Education and Employment and will focus on the opportunities and best practices for connecting with educators within your community - whether you are looking for employee training, for an intern or apprentice, or for next year’s talent. Please note that while this webinar is free, participants must register and can do so by clicking here.

Green Step Community Drop Off May 26

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:12:00 GMT

CCC Skills Survey #4: Integration services for immigrants

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:15:00 GMT

As part of the chamber network’s ongoing consultation on the issues related to skills/competitiveness, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are pleased to be able to provide you with a short survey to gather your input on this important issue under the skills umbrella.

We encourage you to provide feedback on all of the surveys on skills issues. This is the fourth survey the CCC have sought your input on. This short survey ( 5 questions) focuses on issues relative to integration services for immigrants; here’s the link to the survey: http://bit.ly/Top10survey4

A short one-page backgrounder on the issue of immigrant integration services is available for your reference.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t filled out survey #1 on post-secondary education; survey #2 on life-long learning, and survey #3 on older workers and people with disabilities, they are still live and waiting for your comment.

Call for Board Nominations - Deadline: Monday May 14, 2012- 5:00pm

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:13:00 GMT

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY A
BETTER PLACE TO LIVE & CONDUCT BUSINESS?

Each year there are a number of positions that must be filled on our Board of Directors, and we are currently seeking Board nominations. We are looking for dynamic individuals that can help us to continue providing business leadership through a community vision.

The Chamber provides the local business community with a vehicle to create a positive community; works closely with the municipal and regional governments; speaks for the business community at many venues; and informs and represents business.

As a Director on the Chamber’s Board, you would have the opportunity to help make the Chamber a more valuable tool for yourself and your fellow members, as well as making us more aware of the issues that all Barrie area businesses are facing.

The government of the Chamber, the direction of its affairs, and the control of its property is invested in the Board of Directors which consists of 13 directors nominated and elected by the membership. Responsibilities include participation in as many Chamber activities as possible and promotion of the Chamber in a positive way throughout the community. The Board is ultimately responsible for establishing all policies on behalf of the membership. Directors are expected to assume from time to time the responsibility of:

a) Chairing a task force of the Board
b) Monitoring a standing committee
c) Accepting other assignments from the board

If you are planning to run for the Board you will need three Chamber members to nominate you. To be eligible for nomination, you must be the voting member of a Company in good standing within the Chamber. Those elected will serve a TWO-YEAR TERM; after serving his/her first term, any Director may be elected for a second term (two years).

CONSIDER SERVING ON THE BOARD OF A VITAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES BUSINESS LEADERSHIP THROUGH A COMMUNITY VISION.

A copy of the nomination form is available online at
http://www.barriechamber.com/BoardNominationForm2012.pdf

Please return the completed nomination form to the Chamber Office by hand delivery, by mail to the address below, or by fax to (705) 726-0973 before 5pm on Monday May 14th, 2012.

Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
97 Toronto Street
Barrie, Ontario L4N 1V1

* Please note that, if you are sending your nomination by mail, it must still be RECEIVED in the Chamber office by 5pm on Monday May 14th, 2012 - please allow sufficient time for delivery and/or consider an alternate method of submission to ensure that your nomination is received on time

CCC Webinar - How to Recruit, Hire and Integrate Skilled Immigrants - April 25th

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:38:00 GMT

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the second of four webinars that will focus on the human resource challenges that chambers and their members face today. We encourage you to take advantage of the valuable information.

The second webinar will focus on How to Recruit, Hire and Integrate Skilled Immigrants. This webinar will take place on April 25, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Finding workers with the right skills is a big challenge for small- and medium-size businesses. Employers are finding it increasingly hard to find Canadian-born skilled workers. The reality is that the immigrants are becoming the source of all new net growth in Canada’s labour force.

Once you realize you need to consider immigrants as potential employees, the question is how do you find and recruit them?

In this webinar, you will learn where to turn when looking to hire foreign workers as well as which organizations are available to assist employers find and retain employees from outside Canada. You will also hear about the experiences of other Canadian businesses which have attracted and hired immigrants.

The webinar features the following presentations:

1. Settlement Support for Hiring Immigrants

   Nabiha Atallah
   Manager, Communications, Research & Development
   Immigrant Settlement & Integration Services (ISIS), Halifax, Nova Scotia

2. Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada

   Charles Bernard
   Director, Foreign Credentials Referral Office
   Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

3. Best Practices for an Inclusive Hiring Process

   Zuleika Sgro
   Manager, Talent Management Services & HR Business Partner
   Questrade Inc., Toronto, Ontario

There is no cost for participation. Spaces for this webinar are limited. The CCC asks participants to pre-register by clicking here.

Member eNews Blog Post - Cleaning Secrets from MGF Carpet

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:07:00 GMT

By Frank Napoleoni, MGF Carpet Cleaning

The best way to keep the carpets in your house looking great is to keep up with your cleaning. Try to vacuum at least once a week to get rid of any dirt that's built up.

Stains happen, and you need to use the right product for the job. Pet stains? There are plenty of products specially made for pet messes. Wine stains? Use a spot remover – just make sure it says it's made for carpets. Save the Spray and Wash for your clothes! Vinegar and water? Use it for other cleaning jobs but not on your carpet – it will just make the stain worse.

There are many professional-grade cleaners that are safe for the environment but tough on any kind of stains. We've seen it all – wine, grease, crayon, pet messes, pop, make-up (which can be a pretty stubborn problem for most cleaning products) – even bleach! No matter what the mess, don't panic because there is a way to get the stain out and restore the original colour of your carpet.

When you're doing your spring cleaning, don't forget about your car. A good rubber cleaner will help protect the rubber on your tires, hoses and engine so it lasts longer, and it also prevents cracks in your tires. Wax will protect your car from UV rays and bird droppings, and will help your car keeps its shine – watch as the rain just beads off. There are other specialty products for your door jams, leather and vinyl seats.

It's good to wax your car three times per year – we recommend the spring, summer and then once in fall to maintain and protect it over the winter. All that cold air can dry out your dash and make it crack, so make sure you use a product that has a conditioner.

Protect the carpets in your car from winter salt and slush with my secret trick: two layers of protection – start with a small piece of carpet and then cover that with a good rubber mat that will trap the slush, salt and water.

If you have a pet that rides along with you, cover your car seats with a blanket or a special cover you can get in the pet store. Pet hair can be very difficult to remove and some detailers will charge extra to remove it.

With stop and go traffic, stains happen in the car, too. Do what you can to blot the stain right away with whatever you have handy, like a tissue or paper towel, then use a cleaner as soon as you can. If you can't get the stain out yourself, call a professional or you'll be stuck with it for good.

Frank Napoleoni is the owner of MGF Carpet Cleaning in Barrie, Ontario. They specialize in carpets, car detailing and ceramic tiles. Call Frank for reliable service, great prices and stellar service. We don't stop cleaning until you're satisfied with the job!

CCC Skills Survey #3: Older workers/people with disabilities

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

As part of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's ongoing consultation with the Canadian chamber network on the issues related to skills/competitiveness, they have provided a series of surveys for the Barrie Chamber to share with our membership in order to gather input on this important issue under the skills umbrella. We encourage you to provide feedback on the surveys on skills issues.

This is the third survey the CCC is seeking your input on. This short survey (9 questions) focuses on issues relative to older workers and persons with disabilities; here’s the third survey: http://bit.ly/top10survey

A short one-page backgrounder on each issue, older workers and persons with disabilities, is available to you if you wish to include them with your survey communications to your members.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t filled out survey #1 on post-secondary education; and survey #2 on life-long learning, they are still live and waiting for your comments.

Member eNews Blog Post - Help, I Owe Taxes!

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Ilan Kibel, A. Farber & Partners, Inc.

Have you:

Filed and paid your taxes every year?
Set aside a portion of your self-employed income for taxes?
Set aside any HST collected or payroll withholdings for your business?
Set aside tax on any RRSP or investment income you cashed in?

If not, you may have tax debt that you owe to CRA (Canada Revenue Agency). Not only that, but even as you read this blog post you are incurring more and more penalties and interest charges. And once CRA catches up with you (and they WILL!), they can garnish your wages, freeze your bank accounts, direct your customers to pay them directly or register liens against your property – both business and personal. Obviously, the best way to avoid these consequences is to pay your debt to CRA.

Like other creditors that you owe money to, you may be able to negotiate with CRA, however CRA typically is unwilling to accept less than the full amount you owe them.

If you want to have the best possible outcome, take control of the situation and get professional help to decide what to do next. For example, we always recommend that you have your outstanding tax returns prepared and filed so that you have a complete picture of the debt is known and you can develop a plan to deal with the debt.

Proposal Administrators and Trustees in bankruptcy are the only professionals trained and federally-licensed to deal with your tax and money problems.

If your tax and other debts become unmanageable, there may be a formal option available for you to get a fresh financial start. To discuss your situation in detail, please call 310-1100 to setup a free confidential face-to-face meeting in your area.

Ilan Kibel is a Trustee with A. Farber & Partners Inc. and manages the firm’s Barrie Region practices (Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood, Keswick, Midland, Newmarket, Orillia and Wasaga Beach).

Ilan has focused on personal, small business and corporate insolvency and restructuring and advisory services with more than 12 years of experience, including acting as Administrator of Consumer Proposals, Trustee in Bankruptcy and Proposals of consumer and corporate estates, private and court-appointed receiver, interim receiver, private and court-appointed monitor and proceedings under the CCAA (Companies’ Creditors Arrangements Act).

"I bring a creative, respectful and co-operative approach to all restructuring and insolvency engagements and take great pride in my work and assisting others."

CCC Domestic Skills Development Survey Part 2: Life-long Learning

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:26:00 GMT

The second short survey (7 questions) focuses on issues relative to life-long learning.

A short one-page backgrounder on this issue is available to you for your information. All surveys will be accompanied by a similar background document.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Future surveys (every two weeks) will focus on a variety of issues related to Canada’s skills challenges. The surveys will remain open until the end of June.

If you haven’t filled out Survey #1 on post-secondary education; you still can, by clicking here.

Attention Tradeshow Exhibitors! Spring Tradeshow Exhibitor Registration

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:00:00 GMT

There are still a few spaces left!
Hurry, register now to take advantage of this
great opportunity to promote your business.

We have a new venue with more exhibitor spaces than before.
Join us to make the 2012 Spring Tradeshow our most successful ever.

Please click here to download the exhibitor registration form
(http://www.barriechamber.com/ExhibitorRegistrationSpring2012-2.pdf)

Price:

When:
Time:
Place:

Registration Includes:

$100+hst = $113.00 (Non-Hydro location)
$110+hst = $124.30 (Hydro location)
Wednesday April 18th, 2012
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Army Navy Airforce Veterans in Canada,
7 George Street, Barrie

• One 4' x 6' exhibitor space
• Table with skirting & tablecloth (optional - see form)
• Two Complimentary Exhibitor Passes

Registration forms can be submitted by fax (726-0973), email (chadmin@barriechamber.com), or hand (97 Toronto Street, Barrie, ON). Receipt of confirmation will be provided by email/phone/fax when forms are submitted; if you do not receive a confirmation notice within 2 business days of submission, please contact Chamber staff. We are unable to register anybody for a tradeshow exhibit space without the appropriate paperwork

If you have any questions regarding our registration process, please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant, Ann Chamaillard, at (705) 721-5000 ext. 221.

Spring Tradeshow Registration

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:31:00 GMT

DATE: April 18th, 2012
TIME: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
HOST: TRADESHOW
ADDRESS: Army Navy Air Force Veterans In Canada, 7 George Street, Barrie, ON

DETAILS: The Chamber’s Spring Tradeshow is an excellent opportunity for you to come out and see the strength & diversity of the Chamber Membership in action! HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT OUR BARRIE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN DOING LATELY? We have and we think it’s great, so we’d like to invite you to come out and see some Barrie businesses up close - see for yourself how strong our business community really is!

Join us at 5pm on Wednesday April 18th, 2012; entry is only $10 per person for members and $12 per person for non-members, payable online here or in cash at the door (prices include HST). Don't forget to bring your Chamber Bucks and business cards! You won't want to miss out on any of the draws at the show!

Online attendee registrations must be received before 12:00pm on April 17th. If you are registering after this deadline please be prepared to pay cash at the door.

Note to exhibitors: Your entry in the trade-show includes 2 passes. You do not need to register yourself or your guest unless you are bringing more than one person.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

There is still room for a few more exhibitors!

CLICK HERE FOR EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION DETAILS

Industry Canada's Ontario Economic Overview

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:53:00 GMT

The Ontario Economic Overview prepared by Industry Canada’s Ontario Regional Office is now available. This report focuses on the performance of Ontario’s key industries in recent months.

Please click here to view a copy of the report.

We hope you will find the Ontario Economic Overview both interesting and relevant. If you have questions or comments, please contact David Norton of Industry Canada's Policy, Analysis and Intelligence group, Ontario Region at David.Norton@ic.gc.ca.

Further information about Industry Canada can be found on their website at www.ic.gc.ca

Member eNews Blog Post - Own Your Project

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

By Dave McQueen, Compu-SOLVE Internet Services

Project management is one of the principal things that I do in my business. I have seen a lot, both good and bad, over a series of projects. Here are some tips to help you own your project.

Know your objectives before you start

If you can clearly state your objectives, your prospective contractors will know what you want to accomplish. This lets you gauge if they “get it” before you hire them. You will have also set a yard stick to measure their performance as time goes on.

Don’t fall for tool talk

If the only thing the prospective contractor talks about is his tools, he either does not understand or is not engaged in your objectives. Think about it. Do you want the builder talking about his marvelous radial arm saw or the beautiful kitchen he will create for you? Do you want a software developer talking about .net and oracle or about how you will save 5000 hours and $100,000 per year?

Know how you want to pay

If everything can be determined up front, you want a fixed price contract for the job. If you are doing a “Star Trek”, going where no one has been before, you want to pay per hour and have the ability to bail if you see the project going nowhere.

Beware the “Triangle of Hell”

We all want our jobs to be Good, Fast and Cheap. Pick any two.

If it is Good and Fast, it won’t be Cheap.
If it is Good and Cheap, it won’t be Fast.
If it is Fast and Cheap ... Well you know.

Know what is reasonable in that market.

Know ALL of the costs associated with the project. Here is the IT installation cost breakdown: 50% software, 50% hardware and 50% training. Oh, you forgot the training....

I’m going South ... and you are going Left

Regular reporting is important. Even the best of people can have misunderstandings. The common phrase is “We were talking at cross purposes to each other.” The objective is to catch it early and cheaply.

Always pay attention. A family was having a home built. The husband told the wife to sit at the job site every day. She objected with “What do I know about house building?”. He made her stay anyway. Guess what, she caught a worker laying the kitchen tile upside down. She knew more than he did that day.

Are we there yet?

Every project is a campaign. Like all campaigns, it has a beginning and most importantly, it has an end. If you cannot see an end, don’t start. Projects that do not end are failures. You want success.

If you and your planning team are feeling pretty confident, rent the movie The Money Pit. Watch it. Be afraid. Then go back over your objectives again.

Be it a man cave, a new accounting system or a new warehouse facility, use the tips in this article to make your project a success.

CCC - SME Employee Skills Upgrading Webinar - Thursday, March 28 1-2pm

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present the first of several webinars that will focus on the human resource challenges that chambers and their members face today. Member businesses are invited to take advantage of the valuable information.

The first webinar will focus on SME Employee Skills Upgrading. This webinar will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT.

The fastest way to improve your business’ productivity is to grow your employees’ skill sets.

Targeted at small- and medium-sized businesses, participants will learn how essential skills in the workplace can make a difference and how to find the skills upgrading support they need.

This webinar will feature the following topics:

1. Essential skills, productivity and competitiveness: the Canadian imperative

Presenter: T. Scott Murray, DataAngel Policy Research Inc.

2. My employees don’t have the essential skills they need! So what? Now what?

Presenter: Janet Lane, Literacy Alberta

3. Practical solutions for your business

Presenter: Lindsey McIntosh, Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

There is no cost for participation. The program has been designed to fit busy business schedules so the entire webinar will last only one hour.

Spaces for this webinar are limited. We ask participants to pre-register by clicking here.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT LINKS FOR BARRIE BUSINESSES

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:45:00 GMT

The Chamber has established a Governmental Affairs committee that is largely responsible for monitoring government activity and making recommendations to the Board of Directors for action or informational purposes.

The committee's mandate is to follow legislative proposals at all levels of government and to offer input thereon in order to ensure that lawmakers recognize the needs and views of our constituency; to convey relevant legislative amendments to our constituency; and to monitor issues of local interest and to report to the Board monthly.

In addition, they are working to offer business support by helping to establish the Chamber and the City of Barrie as a destination for existing and emerging businesses by providing access to resources, guidance and support.

In recent months, representatives from the Barrie MP and MPP offices have joined the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee to offer their input and help provide resources. The team is very excited to have them on board and, along with representation from the City of Barrie, they are confident that this local government interest and support will help keep actions moving forward in a relevant and timely fashion.

MPP Rod Jackson’s office has provided the following links to resources available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) for the reference of Barrie area businesses.

This page lists all subsidies (including tax credits) for employers looking to hire employees, as well as the area of applicability: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/1137/

Canada Business Network: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/ The page linked has a “find financing tool” that leads the user to sources of federal and provincial public and private sector funding.

This page lists grants, contributions, and financial assistance offered in Ontario: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/5641/ When you scroll down on the page, you’ll find a list of grants, contributions, and financial assistance applicable to businesses across Canada.

This page lists loans and cash advances available and the area of applicability (ie. if eligibility is restricted to a province/territory or is Canada-wide): http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/1139/

This page lists loan guarantees available and the area of applicability: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/1140/

This page lists tax refunds and credits and the area of applicability: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/1138/

This page lists equity investments available as well as the area of applicability: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/1141/

MP Patrick Brown’s office has also provided resources, which are available on the Chamber website.

Invitation to: Funding for Your Small Business

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

www.thecreativespace.ca

Sign up for your FREE tickets

HERE

CONTACT: Kelly McKenna | 705-726-5538 | kelly.mckenna@pc.ola.org

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Temporary Foreign Worker Changes Penalise Canadian Businesses

61ST ANNUAL BARRIE ROTARY CLUB CHARITY TV/INTERNET AUCTION A HUGE SUCCESS

Early Bird Pricing for Annual Golf Tournament - Register in April and SAVE!!

GRAND OPENING: Dr. Eric Bella & Associates, Optometrists

Startup Weekend is Coming to Barrie!

Newsletter for Small and Medium-siz​ed businesses // Bulletin pour les petites entreprise​s

The Competitiv​e Edge: Success Through Innovation - May 29

Invitation to The Creeks Project Campaign Launch on May 11, 2013

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT LINKS FOR BARRIE BUSINESSES

GRAND OPENING: Dr. Eric Bella & Associates, Optometrists

Congratulations Rogers TV!

IMPORTANT: Call For Board Nominations

2013 Call for Applications for Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund

2013 Call for Applications for Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund

Lincoln M. Alexander Award 2013

April BBN - Healthy Body, Healthy Business?

Congratulations TNR Industrial Doors!!

An Invitation to attend a Gala event in honour of Bruce Owen

Incredible India! Trip Orientation Session - April 15

Mayor's Business Progress Breakfast 2013 - May 2nd

Monthly Update from Rod Jackson, MPP - Barrie - April 2013

Spring Tradeshow - April 17, 2013

Top 10 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

CANCELLATION: Chamber Connects Event

Are you self-employed? Important facts from the Canada Revenue Agency

Walking for MS in Barrie – Sunday, May 5, 2013

Networking At Noon - March 2013

Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce Calls on Government to Tackle Skills Gap, Transform Service Delivery

March BA5 at Victoria Village with Wildwood Hospitality!

Winter 2013 TD Commercial Banking Business Insights Newsletter

DTN Comes to Meridian!

Business Owners: Protect Yourself In a Bankruptcy

Business Breakfast Networking - March 7th, 2013 with Speaker Dr. Kerri Fullerton

Meridian Launches New Chequing Accounts for Small Business

Attention All Potential Spring Trade Show 2013 Exhibitors!

Attention Potential Tradeshow Exhibitors!

February BA5- Wednesday February 20th at BDO!

How To Avoid Costly Car Repairs

Hire a Georgian College Co-op/Internship Student This Summer!

Rent-to-Own Home Leasing Program

Barrie Emerging Stronger 2013

Who Does Your Business Stand Up For?

Plumbing Fixture Selection

Smile. A better mortgage rate with all the bells and whistles.

Thinking BIG for small business

China Trip Reunion- Thursday December 6th, 2012

The Conveniences of Chartering

Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Skilled Trades

An Easy, Inexpensive Way to Protect Yourself from a Wet Basement This Winter

The Business Savings Account That Doesn't Take Time Off

CreeWest Air: The King Air 200

2012 Barrie Business Awards Gala

A better rate to lighten up your mortgage. Imagine that.

TRAIN IN TRADES INITIATIVE- Press Release on November 21st, 2012

CreeWest GP Inc / CreeWestair Air Charter Flights New Base of Operations in Barrie

Make every penny count (and multiply) with a 1.45% savings rate on Meridian’s Business Advantage Plus Account

How Do You Want To Feel About Your Savings 18 Months From Now?

The Benefits of Using a Mortgage Broker

Barrie Chamber of Commerce China Trip in SNAP!

Sales Strategies to Grow Your Business

How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Dumpster Divers

Mayor's Luncheon Photos

Fall Tradeshow 2012 Photos

Travelling? Check Your Employee Benefits Before You Go

Market Your Business Personally Through Welcome Wagon

Social Eblast - Wellness in the Workplace

How Prescription Drug Coverage Works in the Chamber Plan

The Big Decision CBC Press Release

Sick of paying such high phone bills?

Find out how to cut your costs by 50-80%!

Barrie Business Awards Gala - Call for Nominations Now Open

26th Annual Golf Tournament a Great Success

Member eNews Blog Post - Five Rules for Writing the Best Web Content

Newsletter for Small and Medium-sized businesses // Bulletin pour les petites entreprises

The Competitive Edge: Success Through Innovation - May 29

CCC Domestic Skills Development Survey Part 2: Life-long Learning

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