Your Chamber Connection 
April Newsletter 
Issues & Insights: Softwood Lumber Wars Brewing - Why Should You Care?
By Charla Robinson, Chamber President  

It was suggested to me that "softwood lumber" might not be considered by many local businesses as an issue that impacts them or their business. Let me enlighten you.  If you live in Northwestern Ontario, start counting the friends and family you know that are impacted.... 
Read more....  
In Case You Missed It

Federal Budget 2017: Highlights for Business
Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau outlined his second federal budget in the House of Commons following the usual rumours and speculations about what it may or may not contain.    It builds upon the 2016 budget by providing more specifics about the Government's plans for infrastructure spending and provides some new projects that are hoped to inspire innovation and growth in our economy.  Read more....

Clarifying Ontario's Fair Energy Plan
The announcement of Ontario's Fair Hydro Plan left many employers uncertain about the implications for their business. Through correspondence with senior officials at the Ministry of Energy, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has been diligently engaged to help better understand the impact of the announcement on behalf of our membership. The OCC has designed a backgrounder to answer member questions.

Is Innovation Just an Overused Buzzword?
By Melissa McClement, Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
Yes, the word is used very often. However, embracing and welcoming innovation into your business is a critical strategy to staying relevant in an ever changing world.   Read more...
Welcome New Members
 
Pl ease join us in welcoming the following companies that join ed the Chamber in March:
 
Arbonne by Vivienne Stallwood
Port Arthur Curling Club
ShopThunderBay.com
SOL-Crete Contracting
Superior Sales Coaching
The Keg Restaurant
Value Village
Wolfhead Coffee

Member to Member (M2M) Discounts
Our enhanced Member-to-Member (M2M) Discount program facilitates Member-to-Member relationships and encourages shopping locally. This is an excellent opportunity to support your fellow Chamber members and promote your business.

Login to your Chamber Member Information Centre and click on the M2M Deals tab on the left side bar to add a discount for your business and visit our website for a detailed list of offerings. 

Does your workplace offer services in French?  Update your listing to let everyone know!
We are pleased to have installed a checkbox in our Member Information Centre where you can indicate that your organization offers francophone service, as well as providing a link to your website.  The information will show on your public directory listing as seen here.
Good News

This month's Good News highlights the following Chamber members:

Best Western Plus Nor'wester Hotel & Conference Centre
Carrel + Partners LLP
Coffee News Thunder Bay
Eco Depot Waste Diversion
National Development Centre Thunder Bay
Northern Ontario Business
Norwest Community Health Centre
Peterson Electric Co Limited
Take a Hike!
TbayTel
Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission
Thunder Bay Port Authority
Upcoming Events

Opening of Navigation Luncheon
In partnership with the Thunder Bay Port Authority
Friday April 7th, Airlane Hotel & Conference Centre 11:30AM-1:30PM
Speaker: Bruce Hodgson, The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp
Join us as we celebrate the opening of the 2017 shipping season for the Thunder Bay Port!

Business Awards Gala April After Business
Saturday, April 8th, Valhalla Inn
Presented by Bell
Symposium: 5:30pm  Dinner & Awards: 6:30pm 
Celebrate businesses who have contributed to the success of our community!
View the list of nominees & register online 

April After Business 
Wednesday, April 19th, Thunder Bay Hydro, 37 Front Street
Presented by RBC
5:00PM-7:00PM
Take a tour of the control room!
Limited booth space available!  Interested in a booth? Register for one here 
 
Leaders Luncheon: Ontario Economic Report
Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation
Friday, April 21st, Airlane Hotel & Conference Centre
11:30AM - 1:30PM
Join the Ontario Chamber and local experts for a presentation and panel discussion on the Ontario Economic Report's key findings in the Business Confidence Survey, the Business Prosperity Index, and the 2017-18 Economic Outlook, with a particular focus on the region of Thunder Bay.
Pre-register online: 
 
Lunch & Learn Cap and Trade: What businesses need to know about Ontario's Climate Change Strategy
Presented by Eco-Superior
Tuesday, April 25th, West Thunder Community Centre, 915 Edward St S
11:45AM - 1:15PM
Join us for lunch to learn about Ontario's Climate Change Strategy and Cap and Trade Program.
Pre-register online: 
 
Leadercast: Powered by Purpose  
Friday, May 5th, Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre
8:00am - 5:00pm   
Leadercast is the world's largest one-day leadership conference, broadcast live from Atlanta and simulcast to hundreds of locations around the world.  This year marks the first year that Leadership Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the event locally.
Register today!
Limited exhibit space available. 
"Don't Be Trashy"

To kick-off Civic Pride Month, the City is reinvigorating the 'Don't Be Trashy' campaign in April and May to encourage people to take pride in Thunder Bay and not trash our environment.   Don't Be Trashy asks people to commit to Clean, Green & Beautiful and share the ways they take pride in their City and environment by posting images and stories through social media using #NotTrashyTBay.    Learn more at: www.dontbetrashy.ca
Success Certified 2017 Ready to Roll!

The 2017 edition of Success Certified is ready to roll!  The event is sponsored by Thunder Bay Hydro and will take place on May 4 & 5 in the Shuniah and Dorion buildings at Confederation College.  

This two day training program provides Grade 11 and 12 students with recognized certification courses that prepare them to enter the labour force and provides employers a pool of qualified employees.

The recognized courses offered during the two day event are:
*    Chain Saw Safety - Sharpening, Maintenance, Handling
*    Confined Space Entry Awareness
*    Hoisting and Rigging
*    Lock-Out / Tag-Out Procedures
*    Pleasure Craft Operator
*    Propane Carburetion Cylinder Exchange
*    Safe Food Handling
*    Service Excellence
*    Smart Serve
*    Standard First Aid with CPR  Level  "C"  
*    Working at Heights

This partnership between Lakehead Public Schools , Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, and Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales first launched in 2008 with the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Education and Training Committee becoming involved in 2013. Over the past four years, Success Certified has provided 700 certifications to high school students.  We anticipate an additional 200 certifications will be undertaken in 2017.
 
For more information, call the Chamber office at 624-2626


200 Syndicate Avenue South, Suite 102 | 807.624.2626
[email protected] | www.tbchamber.ca
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