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Dear Member,
The focus of this bi-monthly e-newsletter is to update you on what your Saint John Board of Trade, the Chambers of Commerce Network and fellow members have been doing on advocacy and other news. See how your voice is having an impact in our community.
Have Your Voice Heard! The Saint John Board of Trade is presently conducting our 2012-2013 Membership and Priorities Survey. In this survey we ask members for their views on issues that are important to you and issues that may become important to you over the next 12 months. Please take 5-7 minutes to have Your Voice heard by filling out our on-line survey. The survey will close on January 27th. Click here to begin the survey!
Air Service
Have you signed up for your VIPorter Membership? Help us bring Porter Airlines to Saint John! (click here)
Workforce
On January 25th and February 1st, the Saint John Board of Trade is partnering with Enterprise Saint John to provide our members with Workplace Wellness Workshops. To learn more or to register for these workshops click here.
Forestry
On January 13, 2012 the Saint John Board of Trade made a submission to the Department of Natural Resources highlighting support for several recommendations made in the Report by the New Brunswick Crown Land Task Force. To view a copy of the letter click here.
Minimum Wage
On January 4, 2012 the Telegraph Journal published a joint op-ed submitted by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the Saint John Board of Trade, To Truly Tackle Poverty, Support the Creation of Jobs. To view a copy of the letter click here.
Shipbuilding
On January 10th the Saint John Board of Trade hosted a 2012 Outlook Luncheon at the Delta Brunswick Hotel. During the Luncheon Mr. Jim Irving referenced the creation of an on-line supplier registry for companies interested in becoming suppliers for the $32 billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy contract Irving Shipbuilding was awarded in October 2011. For more information on how to register click here.
Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
On December 2011 the Saint John Board of Trade sent a letter to the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Minister of Finance outlining recommendations for his consideration during the 2012-2013 pre-budget deliberations. To view a copy of the letter click here.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce News
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Chair, Robert Youden was a keynote speaker at the Saint John Board of Trade's Outlook Luncheon on January 10th. Mr. Youden spoke on Regaining Canada's Competitiveness.
In a report released January 18th, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce argues that Canada-China ties are quickly becoming one of Canada’s most important external relationships. Today, more than ever, what happens in China represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Canadian businesses. Click here to view Advancing our Economic Ties With China: Three Priorities for Canadian business.
The revised Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) entered into force on January 1st, 2012. For more information click here.
2012 Economic Outlook from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce was released on December 28, 2011.
Member News
Deloitte Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Predictions breakfast seminar scheduled for January 25th featuring Duncan Stewart (Deloitte), Steve Palmer (Remsoft), and Gerry Pond (Mariner Partners).
NBIF launches $100,000 Innovation Challenge.
The New Brunswick Securities Commission is looking for input from New Brunswick stakeholders in a Canada-wide consultation process on the review of minimum amount and accredited investor exemptions.
NRC-IRAP has been selected to deliver the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP).
Air Canada is using its new Q400 aircraft for the Saint John Airport to Toronto service.
Saint John has been named one of the Top7 high tech hot spots by the Intelligent Communities Forum. Congratulations Saint John!
The Saint John Board of Trade is looking for a Policy and Research Officer. To find out more about this exciting opportunity click here.
The Saint John Board of Trade's Women in Business Forum encourages women interested in running for municipal office to attend a two day workshop hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
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In This Issue
What our members are saying...
“Small business and in particular the service industry has been under immense pressure as a result of government policy initiatives to raise minimum wage substantially and quickly. The Saint John Board of Trade has been instrumental in raising awareness on the issue and the negative impact it is having on the small business community. A task force has been set up specifically to address this issue and the Board of Trade has worked in conjunction with Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Restaurant and Food Service Association. As a result the Provincial government has postponed a scheduled September minimum wage increase and is reviewing the policy to ensure a balance is struck between social policy and small businesses’ ability to absorb such steep increases. As a small business owner in the service industry I am grateful for the Board’s assistance with this matter.”
Richard Daigle
Pizza Hut Saint John
Committee Spotlight
Business & Community Development Committee
Co-Chairs: Kevin Dumaresque, Deloitte and Neil Jacobsen, Department of Energy, Province of New Brunswick
The mandate of the Business & Community Development Committee is to act as a catalyst to deal with opportunities for, and impediments to, business development in the community. It identifies and assesses priorities and takes action needed to imprve the investment climate and attractiveness of Greater Saint John. This Committee also develops and undertakes activities which create a healthy environment for, and encourages, busines development. It assists in ensuring the Saint John Board of Trade fulfills its roles and responsibility to represent and lobby on behalf of the business community.
To get involved with a Saint John Board of Trade Committee, Task Force, or Member Forum contact info@sjboardoftrade.com or 634-8111.
Upcoming Events
January 25 - Workplace Wellness Workshop (more)
February 1 - Workplace Wellness Workshop (more)
February 7 - Business Networking Mixer - hosted by King Mazda featuring the Saint John Sea Dogs
February 8 - Retail Host Training Session (more)
February 14 - Business Tool Box - Uncommon Wisdom for Growing your money better - Ten top ideas to improve your investment results! Presented by BMO Nesbitt Burns (more)
February 22 - Luncheon with Don Forgeron, President & CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Climate Change is Everybody's Business: What Government, the Private Sector, and individuals should be doing now to adapt! (more)
February 28 - HR On Demand (more)
Contact Information
Imelda Gilman, President
igilman@sjboardoftrade.com
506-634-4157
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