Your Chamber Connection 
June Newsletter 
Issues & Insights: Will Ontario's 'Fair Workplaces & Better Jobs Plan' Achieve its Goals?
By Charla Robinson, Chamber President  

On May 30th, the Ontario Government announced the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Plan which proposes numerous changes to current labour and employment standards legislation. 

For affected employers, both large and small, these proposed changes are increasing anxiety and frustration levels as business owners work to calculate the added costs to their operation and develop plans for implementation.  Many of these employers have told me that these changes will have the opposite affect of what the Government is looking to achieve.  A few have indicated they are questioning whether their business will be able to survive at all. 
  Read more....  
Road Work Ahead: Will your business be affected? 

The City of Thunder Bay is investing 34.7 million in 2017, on road and sidewalk rehabilitation, residential paving, sanitary and storm sewer and watermain repair/replacement, bridge and culvert work, and streetlight renewal. Road construction projects can result in road closures, detours and delays for drivers. 

Businesses beware: 
  • Central Avenue, between Golf Links Road and Amber Drive will be closed to through traffic in both directions for approximately five weeks. 
  • Court Street, between John Street and Bay Street will be closed to all traffic for major work and is expected to be completed by the end of July. 
To find out how you may be affected by further road closures, please view the full list of 2017 Construction Projects.
 
In Case You Missed It

5 Minutes for Business 
Now that the Trump administration has notified Congress that it plans to renegotiate NAFTA, in this edition of  5 Minutes for Business , Hendrik Brakel, Senior Director, Economic, Financial and Tax Policy for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, considers what will happen over the 90-day consultation period and whether it's possible to renegotiate NAFTA within the next 18 months.
 
Banking and Your Small Business
Why do I need a business account? What can my advisor do for me? What kind of fees should I expect? When should I involve my banker in my business expansion?  Get all your questions answered at this informal panel discussion about how credit unions and banks can help grow your business. This is a FREE workshop for entrepreneurs! Register Now
 
OCC's Statement regarding announcement on burden reduction for small business 
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is very encouraged by the Ontario Government's announcement on burden reduction. Cutting red tape for business has been a key component of their advocacy work and they are pleased to see government make meaningful change to reduce the regulatory burden on small business.

 
Stop.Gap Program provides temporary access ramps to businesses
Several Thunder Bay businesses are more accessible today after the  Stop Gap Program's introduction to the city.  The program sees the creation and donation of portable accessibility ramps to interested businesses.  
 
Thunder Bay Chamber secures Ontario Chamber support on key issues
Representatives of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce attended a two day conference of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in Sarnia. The most animated discussion revolved around Ontario's new Cap & Trade program.The Thunder Bay Chamber also led the discussion and adoption of resolutions outlining the need for Employment Ontario eligibility to expand to include post-secondary students, and recommending significant changes to the Ontario Energy Board hearing process to improve accessibility. Read the full media release on our website.
   
WANTED: Mentors 
The Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre is seeking mentors to lead, guide, and inspire youth program participants.  Mentors enjoy passing down knowledge and wisdom to the entrepreneurs and business and community leaders of the future.
 
As a mentor, you will be required to: Donate 3-4 hours per month to informal meetings over the phone or in person, share your insight into business and industry with the mentee and help to answer questions, solve problems, and advise on business decisions. Please contact Tess Ahola if you are interested in becoming a mentor.    
 
Welcome New Members
 

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. 

Looking for a job?  Looking for staff?
We have a Members Job Bank on our website.  If you are a member company and want to learn how to use this feature, contact the Chamber office!
Good News

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

Association des Francophones du Nord-Ouest de l'Ontario
Bombardier Transportation
Canadian Tire, Arthur St.
City of Thunder Bay
Confederation College
George Jeffery Children's Centre
Gridlink
Habitat for Humanity
Lakehead University
Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine 
Northern Ontario Business
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
Nadia La Russa
Rent Panda
Sandi Boucher
Sherri- Ann White, A Beautiful New You
St. Joseph's Care Group
Student Union of Confederation College Inc. (SUCCI)
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce 
Thunder Bay Truck Centre
Thunder Bay Public Library 
Upcoming Events
 
Chamber YQT: Your Quarterly Training 
Presented by Thunder Bay Airport
Wednesday, June 14, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
12noon- 1pm 
Come learn about your Chamber membership benefits at these FREE quarterly one-hour lunch meetings. For Members only. 
 
Family Friendly After Business  
Wednesday, June 21, Thunder Bay Border Cats
Presented by RBC
Bring the whole family to celebrate the first day of Summer and National Aboriginal Day with fun activities for all ages at the Port Arthur Stadium. All children are free of charge.
5pm-7pm
 
Leaders Luncheon with Hon. Patty Hajdu
Presented by Intercity Industrial Supply
Sponsored by Thunder Bay Airport 
Monday, June 26, Prince Arthur Hotel
11:30AM-1:30PM
 
32nd Annual Chamber Golf Classic
Thursday, July 27th, Whitewater Golf & Country Club
You asked - we heard. Join us for a 9-hole tournament dedicated to connecting you with other Chamber Members!
We are currently seeking Hole Sponsors interested in providing an engaging experience. 
For registration, sponsorship and more information click here.  
  
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE THUNDER BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Thunder Bay Chamber's Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from members to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors for a three year term, commencing November 1, 2017.  
 
Chamber members are invited to submit names of individuals interested in letting their name stand for election.  As per the Chamber By-Laws (Article 4), four (4) directors need to be elected in the September Board Election.  The deadline for the 1st slate of nominations is July 29th, and the deadline for additional nominations, received in writing with 10 signatures is August 31st.  
 
For more information see the following link:  Responsibilities of a Board Director and Code of Conduct.
 
For additional information or questions, please 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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