Chamber News

LOCAL NEWS & RECENT NEWS FROM THE GACC

1. A new and improved website of our Chamber was launched SEPTEMBER 1st, 2009 to offer our members and those wishing to join us an easy to use portal of information chalked full of local business information, listings, and resources.
2. SPRING 2010 AWARDS GALA - Please take part in the nomination selection for BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, and CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR. Click here.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS

1. Get the Facts on Harmonized Sales Tax
   The tax which begins July 1, 2010 is of concern to both consumers and businesses. HST will mirror the GST meaning most of the tax will be recoverable for businesses.
   The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for this along with other tax reforms for a number of years now. To learn more, visit the Ontario Chamber’s “The Case for Sales Tax Harmonization” … www.taxharmonization.ca
2. Local Procurement Opportunities
   In an effort to make local businesses fully aware of all tendering opportunities through the Corporation of the County of Renfrew, the Elected Officials of the County of Renfrew have requested that a fully accessible format be established to help notify local businesses.
   The County of Renfrew now has an updated and complete list of external procurement opportunities listed on the main website. This webpage will be continually revised to help keep it current. I would ask that you alert your respective memberships to this website. If you have any questions on the procurement process, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. The address for the website is: www.countyofrenfrew.on.ca.
   Click here to go directly to the procurement page.
3. Ideas to Help Your Business - Free online Business Courses
   125 courses to help your business move forward. Provided through Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corp.
   Step 1: Take a tour of the "To Learn Online" website...
   Step 2: Contact RCCFDC at 613-735-3951 ext. 223 to get your username and password.
4. Essential Skills Toolkit
   Could taking action on essential skills make your workers more productive?
   The Essential Skills Toolkit is offered free by Human Resouces and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). To learn more go to hrsdc.gc.ca/essentialskills...
5. The Mentorship Program - Enterprise Renfrew County
   Group business coaching sessions begin July 14, 2009 in Pembroke. For details contact Karen Karen Brisebois, Mentorship Program Coordinator, 613-735-8224 ext. 497 (kbrisebois@countyofrenfrew.on.ca)
6. NEWS from Community Futures Development Corporation: Sole proprietorships are now eligible to apply for assistance under the Small Business Internship Program! Please forward this information to any small business owners that may benefit from this opportunity.
   • Funding is currently available through Industry Canada to help small and medium sized enterprises hire student interns for Information and Communications Technology projects!
   • Businesses will benefit from hiring knowledgeable students to implement and adapt e-commerce and/or information and communications technology strategies to increase their productivity, improve their competitiveness, generate higher revenues, and more!
   For more information and to request an application package, please contact Keanan Hunt, Community Development Officer at 613.735.3951 ext. 229 or email khunt@bellnet.ca.

ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce joined a group of non-partisan business leaders to demonstrate the broad-based support for sales tax harmonization.

   The Smart Taxation Alliance includes the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, AGS Automotive Systems, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Council of Chief Executives, Canadian Manufacturer’s & Exporters Ontario, Certified General Accountants of Ontario, Ontario Road Builders’ Association, Ontario Trucking Association, Retail Council of Canada, TD Bank Financial Group, and the Toronto Board of Trade.

For more information, refer to their website.

CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1. Over the summer the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will advocate on behalf of Canadian businesses regarding the issue of Employment Insurance. Read the brief ... CCC Position Brief.