February 27, 2020 E-Newsletter
Ontario East Events
Visit the Ontario East  Events Calendar  and stay up-to-date on what's happening
in East ern Ontario.
If you have any events that you would like us to share, we would love to hear about them. Please forward to  info@ontarioeast.ca
Eastern Ontario Workforce Programs Showcase
Peterborough Airport, Loomex Building, Peterborough, ON
9:30am to 2:00pm, Thursday, March 5, 2020
The Ontario East Economic Development Commission, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development is pleased to present the "Eastern Ontario Workforce Programs Showcase" in Peterborough, ON on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

All Ontario East members, partners and stakeholders are invited to participate in this important symposium that will feature speakers sharing their experiences with several workforce development initiatives currently addressing this important economic development issue in our region. Experts from the Ministry will be available to provide information on current funding programs. 

There is no cost, but register now - space is limited.
Ontario East Municipal Conference (OEMC) 2020
NAV Centre, Cornwall
September 16-18, 2020
ATTENTION! Call for Speakers and Session Topics-Deadline Extended

Please click HERE for details and information regarding the Call for Speakers for OEMC 2020. Or, if there are topics or speakers that would be of interest to you, please click HERE. The deadline for session submissions or topics has been extended to:
March 6, 2020.

We invite you to forward the Call for Speakers fo any other individuals or organizations you feel would make a contribution to this great event.

Reservations at the NAV Centre Open
Exhibition and Sponsorship Opportunities

Companies that participated in OEMC in 2019 have first right of refusal on their sponsored item and/or to secure an exhibit booth. This right must be exercised by today,
February 27th. After today, all available sponsorship opportunities and booths will be offered to the waiting list. To confirm your booth, please contact Megan Howes as soon as possible at oemc@ontarioeast.ca. 
Canada's Free Trade Agreements - Free Workshop

Canada currently has 3 major Free Trade Agreements (NAFTA, CETA & the TPP) plus smaller ones with 14 countries, providing Canadian entrepreneurs with great international opportunities but how exactly do they work and how can we benefit from them, both from an exporter’s and an importer’s point of view?

This seminar will explain how these Trade Agreements are structured, the benefits for the trade in goods, the rules of origin, customs and documentation requirements, the benefits for services, and where to find the relevant information. This session will be of interest to companies and individuals currently involved or wanting to get involved in international trade, in particular importers and exporters of tangible goods.
Ontario East News
If you have any news that you would like us to share, we would love to hear about it. 
Please forward to  info@ontarioeast.ca
Ontario East at Queen's Park

Ontario East participated in EDCO's 2nd Annual Queen's Park Event along with members from Lanark County, South Dundas and Renfrew County.

The day included opportunities to meet with MPPs from across the province to discuss economic development, job growth and workforce development needs.

Ontario East members connected with various Ministers involved in economic development including Hon. Vic Fedeli (Economic Development, Trade & Job Creation), Hon. Ernie Hardeman (Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs), Hon. Monte McNaughton, (Labour, Trades & Skills Development) and eastern Ontario's Hon. Todd Smith (Children, Community & Social Services).

Participants endorsed the various funding programs supporting economic development efforts in our region, specific investment opportunities and the Ontario East Municipal Conference. 
Prospectus: OBJ expands its scope to Eastern Ontario

Michael Curran, Publisher Ottawa Business Journal

It was arguably the best business meeting I’ve had in years. (Apologies to the CEOs I meet every week. They’ll soon understand my rationale.)

On the way down to Cornwall to meet economic development officials, my colleague Terry Tyo and I planned a quick stop at Olymel. I recognized the company name, but didn’t know much about its operations.

Its expansive plant in a business park just east of Cornwall was a sight to behold. In Ottawa, we don’t often see food processing plants that stretch longer than city streets, surrounded by a couple dozen tractor trailers.

The plant’s size wasn’t the marvellous discovery. It was the smell wafting through the air as you stepped into Olymel’s business offices.

It was the mouthwatering, oh-so-Canadian smell of perfectly cooked bacon.

You might recognize Olymel from its products, likely packaged bacon or deli meats, from your local grocery store. What you don’t know is that Olymel also makes private-label bacon for many of Canada’s biggest food retailers. It’s so successful that its Cornwall plant is now approaching 700 employees.

Not only do they process the bacon in Cornwall, they have the enviable job of taste testing it. Yes, OBJ reader, I sampled some of the best bacon ever. Salty, smoky, candied, thick cut. Oh, they had it all.

Best meeting ever.
Ontario East Economic Development Commission
613-634-8569| info@ontarioeast.ca| ontarioeast.ca