April 19th Newsletter

April 19th, 2017

Candidates Tea in April

Hosted by The Gardens at Qualicum Beach and the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the PQB News, we are pleased to invite you to meet your Provincial Election candidates. Please join us at The Gardens to meet:

Glenn Sollitt, BC Green Party on Tuesday, April 25th from 10 - 11 am

Michelle Stilwell, BC Liberal Party on Wednesday, April 26 from 1:30-2:30 pm

Sue Powell, BC New Democratic Party on Thursday, April 27th from 10 - 11 am

Remember to bring your questions and comments!

The Gardens is located at 650 Berwick Road North, Qualicum Beach.

Please RSVP by Monday April 24 in order to prepare the tea for the appropriate numbers of attendees. Forward your questions to chamber@qualicum.bc.ca and RSVPs to the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce at 250-752-0960.

April Member Meeting

Please join us April 19th at the Qualicum Beach Inn for the Chamber's April Member Meeting.

Doors at 5:30, dinner will include:

Caesar Salad or Daily Soup *** Hunter Chicken or Forest Mushroom Risotto or Honey Salmon *** Sticky Toffee Pudding or Double Chocolate Brownie.

Speaker is Jeannie Shaver from the Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market talking about their 20th Anniversary. Please contact the Chamber at 250-752-0960 to get your tickets.

$37 per person.

2017 Application Information for

Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce

Community Grants

Please see the Application Guidelines posted on our website at 2017 Application Guidelines .

Applications must be in the office by 4 pm on Monday April 24, 2017.

For further information please call 250-752-0960 or email chamber@qualicum.bc.ca .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NDP'S GORD JOHNS URGES GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS CREDIT CARD MERCHANT FEES

OTTAWA - Gord Johns (Courtenay - Alberni), NDP Critic for Small Businesses, urged the federal government to immediately cap credit card merchant fees to a reasonable rate. Canadians pay amongst the highest credit card merchant fees in the world - with only the United States paying more.

"The Liberal government thinks it's acceptable that small businesses in Canada pay three times as much as the rest of the world in credit card merchant fees," said Johns. "These fees raise the price of goods for consumers and prevent small businesses from growing and creating jobs."

Small business has a tremendous impact on Canada's economy. Across the country, 78 per cent of all new jobs are created by small business, and almost one-third of the GDP comes from small and medium enterprises.

In 2013, the Competition Tribunal of Canada ruled that the fees charged by credit card companies were excessive and the tribunal called on the government to regulate the industry. Subsequently, Visa and Mastercard entered into voluntary agreements to reduce their rates for a period of five years. These voluntary agreements have received praise from Finance Minister Morneau.

"Perhaps the Minister of Finance was referring to the banks when he said credit card merchant fees are working because Canadians are still paying amongst the highest rates in the world two years after the reduced fees were introduced," added Johns. "It's clear the Minister and his Liberal government have no intention of bringing fairness and transparency to the payments industry in Canada."

The Retail Council of Canada, Canadian Convenience Stores Association, as well as the Association des marchands dépanneurs et épiciers du Québec (AMDEQ) have all pointed to a reduction in credit card merchant fees as their number one request of the federal government.

Watch The Video:

https://youtu.be/jlYSIZj_JYs

Media Contact:

Christine Ackermann

613-240-0454

Gord.Johns.A1@parl.gc.ca

Group Insurance through the Chamber of Commerce

Have you considered group insurance for your business through your Chamber of Commerce? Please find the link to part one of three videos designed to help you understand the possibilities. Watch for parts 2 and 3 in the coming weeks.

Chamber Plan Insurance - Video #1

Chamber Plan Insurance - Video #2

Chambers Plan BC APP - Video #3

Paint Nite Fundraiser

The Girls at Borealis Hair & Body Bar are sponsoring a Paint Nite to raise funds "All they Want for Christmas SD69" on May 5th!

Wine & Cheese
Door Prizes & Games
Cash bar!

ALL money raised will be donated to "All they Want for Christmas!"
Door's open at 6:30 pm, painting starts at 7:00 pm!

Get Tickets Here!

The Parksville Oceanside Pickleball Society(POPS) was formed in the summer of 2016 to provide a venue for folks of all ages and abilities. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America and no longer just played by seniors. Last summer we had many tourists drop by for a game and appreciated doing so at no charge. One couple from Texas even donated money for ball replacement

We play on 6 courts at the Lacrosse Box at the Parksville Community Park 6 days a week from 9-12 noon and 1-2 evening sessions will be added again this year. This new club plays on dry days in spring then daily from July 1st to Oct 31st. No club or drop in fees and loaner paddles are available. We only ask folks to sign a waiver. No previous experience is necessary; the sport is quite social and is played at all ages and levels from beginner to tournament player.

Another venue where folks can play or take lessons this spring is at Oceanside Arena (9 courts) from April 24th to July 5th, 2017. Cost at the arena is $3.50/person and loaner paddles are available.

Monday, April 24th is a free play day so anyone can try out the sport.

My husband Hugh is an USAPA Ambassador for the Parksville Qualicum Beach region and a certified International Pickleball Teaching Professional (IPTPA).

He will be teaching at Oceanside Arena and will also provide instruction as requested at the Lacrosse Box in the Community Park.

Contact Oceanside Arena at 250-248-3252 to book a class or we can be reached at 250-248-9568 or this email nuttalbay@shaw.ca. Elaine & Hugh Bohm, Parksville BC

Also check us out at Facebook/Pickleball Lets Play

Qualicum Beach Family History Society

The Qualicum Beach Family History Society will hold its regular Meeting on Wednesday April 19, 7pm at the Qualicum Legion. Guest Speaker will be Brenda L. Smith speaking on tracking Robert Souter - a case study in finding a Scottish Canadian Settler. Guests Welcome.

For more information margie3307@shaw.ca