Canadian Chamber against
“BUY CANADA” CAMPAIGN
Dear chamber members,
You will probably have read about growing protectionist sentiment in the U.S.
It is imperative that Canadian businesses and communities do not retaliate with like sentiments through “buy Canadian” campaigns. Protectionist measures and actions that might incite a trade war are risky at any time, but even more so during a time of economic downturn. No business on either side of the border can risk this type of threat – least of all now.
The impulse for protectionism may be understandable when governments must demonstrate to the populace that they are doing everything possible to preserve their citizens’ businesses and jobs, but a “beggar thy neighbour” policy is the very worst way to end the economic crisis. Instead, policies like this will deepen and lengthen the recession and inflict the greatest damage on the world’s most vulnerable.
However appealing the politics of protectionism may be in the short term, legislation of this type is bad economics, bad morality and bad policy. It will only make matters worse.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has prepared a letter on this issue.
View letter
Government releases
ONTARIO PROPOSED DISABILITY ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD
To help employers create equal opportunities for people with disabilities, the Ontario government has released its “Initial Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard”, the fourth of five proposals with respect to standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
View the proposal here
Public input will be accepted until May 22, 2009. This can be done electronically through the Ministry’s website: Ministry of Community and Social Services http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario
The committee will then consider the feedback, finalize the Proposal and send it to the Ministry for consideration.
Call To Action:
NHL BID
Dear fellow member:
I refer below to both my recent e-mail letter below, and fellow member Spectator Publisher Dana Robbins "Open Letter" of May 9, 2009, both to Gary Bettman, President and CEO of the National Hockey League.
I ask all members to demonstrate your solidarity with your Chamber in this matter by similarly communicating with Mr. Bettman (his co-ordinates are shown below.Our intent is to demonstrate as effectively as is possible that the local Business community is solidly supportive of this bid and is willing to help make this successful in every reasonable way.
I suggest that, if you have not done so already, please offer your support by registering at: http://www.makeitseven.com/
I would also ask that you contact your respective local City Councillor and express your support to them. Decisions that they have to make this week will be crucial to win this.
You can find the contact co-ordinates of your local Councillor by visiting: http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/YourElectedOfficials/CityCouncillors/
We need your help to make this happen. Thank you for your co-operation.
Ruth Liebersbach BA, CMA, C.Dir, FCMA
President, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce"
Mr. Bettman's contact co-ordinates are as follows:
Garry Bettman
President & CEO
National Hockey League
1185 Avenue of the Americas
12th. Floor.
New York, New York, USA
10020
Fax: (212) 789-2020
E-mail:gbettman@nhl.com
Chamber member pushes for
HAMILTON NHL TEAM
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce member, Chris Ecklund, has created a website dedicated to informing Hamiltonians about the possibility of an NHL team locating in Hamilton.View the site: http://www.hockeynightinhamilton.com/
Canadian Club welcomes
ELIZABETH MAY
The Canadian Club of Hamilton is pleased to welcome
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada as the next luncheon speaker.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 27th (12 noon)
Cost: Members $25, non-members $35
Location: The Waterfront Centre (555 Bay St. N., Hamilton)
To register call 905-521-8832 or visit:
www.canadianclubofhamilton.ca
Come out to the next
DUNDAS DIVISION MEETING
Paul Lakin will be speaking at the next Dundas Division meeting. His topic is: The Emerging Spirit of Innovation in Hamilton and area.
Date/Time: Thursday, May 21st (12 noon)
Cost: lunch
Location: Dundas Valley Golf & Country Club
To register, email p.dieryck@hamiltonchamber.on.ca or visit www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca
Take part in the 2nd Annual
WOMEN’S GLAMOUR & GOLF DAY
Join The Rotary Club of Hamilton and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in raising money for various worthwhile causes. The day includes: light breakfast, 9 holes of best ball golf, a spa treatment, fashion show, lunch, raffle and a life auction.
Date/Time: Monday, May 25th, 7:00 am
Cost: $150 (includes 9 holes of golf and mini spa) or $75
(includes lunch and fashion show only)
Location: Flamborough Hills Golf Club (Highway 52, Copetown)
For more information or to register, click here
Habitat for Humanity hosts
BUSINESS AFTER BUSINESS
Come out to Habitat for Humanity for Business After Business. Learn about the host location while networking with Chamber members over light refreshments.
Date/Time: Thursday, May 28th (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
Cost: Free
Location: Habitat for Humanity (285 Nash Rd. N., Unit 1, Hamilton)
To register, visit: www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca, or email p.dieryck@hamiltonchamber.on.ca
Ancaster Division meeting
CHANGE
Please note the change to the next Ancaster Division meeting.
Date/Time: Friday, June 26th (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Location: The Ancaster Fairgrounds
Memorial concert honours
CANCER VICTIMS
Dustin Blais (Living Rock Alumni) has made the bold decision to register for Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting The Campbell Family Institute at The Princess Margaret. He has set a personal fundraising goal of $3,200.
He will host a Memorial Concert to honour all the lives lost to cancer. There will be performances by: VOID, Left From Right and Hatevil. The concert will include an emotionally packed PowerPoint presentation of both Dustin’s Ride from last year and a collection of pictures of those dearly missed. Raffles and refreshments will also be available for purchase.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 23rd (7:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
Cost: $10 (Proceeds go to the Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting The Campbell Family Institute at The Princess Margaret. Tax receipt will be provided)
Location: Rock Transit (26 Wilson Street)
For further info, contact Dustin Blais, Rider ID # 531892-8 Phone: 905-515-4366
Should you be unable to attend this fundraiser, you can donate to Dustin’s campaign online. Just visit conquercancer.ca and click “donate.” Enter Dustin Blais and his Rider ID # 531892-8 to make a donation.
Have lunch with
MAYOR FRED
Participate in the 2009 Luncheon Series – Partners for Prosperity.
Join the City of Hamilton and the Jobs Prosperity Collaborative for an enlightening economic overview of the state of Canadian and global economies. The keynote speaker is Patricia Croft, Chief Economist of Royal Bank of Canada Global Asset Management.
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 26th (11:30 am to 1:30 pm)
Cost: $57.75 or $462 for a table of 8
Location: LIUNA Station (360 James St. N., Hamilton)
For more info, visit: www.investinhamilton.ca
Source Cable’s having a
BIRTHDAY BASH
Come out to Source Cable’s 35th Birthday Bash and Blowout Sale.
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 26th (5 pm to 9 pm)
Location: Philthy McNasty’s (1441 Upper James St., Hamilton)
RSVP to: birthdaybash@sourcecable.ca
For more info, click here
Member to host
OPEN HOUSE
All members are encouraged to come out to the upcoming open house hosted by Divine Time Wellness Centre & Spa in Dundas. To learn more about the open house, click here
Date/Time: Saturday, May 30th (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Location: Divine Time Wellness Centre & Spa (151 Hwy #8, Greensville, Dundas)
RSVP to Carol at 905-628-9123 or
divinetime@sympatico.ca
For further info, visit
divinetimewellness.com
“Elect More Women”
CONFERENCE
This multi-partisan conference designed to provide an opportunity for women interested in politics to meet and network. Canadian women still only make up 22 per cent of seats in political office. This conference will provide women with the tools to join a campaign, run for office, and learn more about how women can influence the political arena.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 30th (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Cost: Free (Snacks included)
Location: YWCA Hamilton (75 MacNab St. S., Hamilton)
To learn more about the conference and/or to register,
click here
Smart Program
COMING TO AN END
Through funding by the Ontario Government and sponsorship of the CME, the SMART Program has been a huge success helping many Ontario manufacturers by supporting manufacturing productivity improvement, quality, energy, IT best practices and environmental impact initiatives. To date, over 270 applications have been approved for funding with another 76 with Industry Experts and another 400+ in process. It is estimated that approximately 400 applications will be approved for funding. However, due to the overwhelming interest in the SMART Program, there currently are sufficient applications in house to use the funding that has been made available. Effective Midnight, May 15, 2009, applications will no longer be accepted, or amendments for SMART funding or SMART Onsite Assessments. They also will not be accepting applications from prospective Service Providers, and will refund all fees associated with unapproved applications. For further information, visit: www.cme-smart.ca
Get the latest info on
TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
The Annual International Transportation and Logistics (TRANSLOG 2009) Conference is a must for those who seek the latest information on the best ways to move goods, transportation ideas for future business planning and opportunities to learn best practices from peers in the industry and academia. TRANSLOG 2009 is the only international conference in the greater Hamilton area that is bringing together business leaders, government contacts, leading transportation researchers and valuable information that will benefit your bottom line.
Date/Time: June 17th to 18th
Location: McMaster University
To register, visit: http://www.sclcanada.org/index.php?id=371
http://mitl.mcmaster.ca/translog/index.html
Email: mitl@mcmaster.ca
Phone: (905)525-9140 ext. 22542
Fax: (905) 546-0463
Come out to the next
OLG NETWORKING BREAKFAST
The guest speakers for this event will be Kelly McDougald, CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and Scott Mitchell, president of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The speakers will offer their insights on marketing, by giving helpful hints to Hamilton’s tourism partners.
Date/Time: Thursday, June 18th
Location: LIUNA Station
To register, visit: www.tourismhamilton.com
