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MP Reports UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Save the Date! View our 2011-2012 Event Brochure
ANNUAL MAYOR'S BREAKFAST
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at the
This is a great opportunity to hear from Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj. Her topic is ‘Targets of Good Government’. Excellent networking opportunity to meet and greet with councilors and other business people alike. Please take note of our Event Cancellation Policy MONTHLY WINK(CWCC's new tip of the month)
Did you know...The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce has a Membership Guarantee. Become a member, participate in 3 chamber events in your first 4 months of membership between September and June, and if you don't find value the Chamber will refund your membership fee! NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
ELMIRA AUTO CARE CENTRE
CEDAR SPRING NURSERY LTD.
HANLON PARK MINI STORAGE
SHOE VILLA
ECLIN MEDIA NETWORKING BREAKFAST
We gathered at The Gorge Country Kitchen in Elora on November 30th. Brent Barr from Falcon Innovation Group spoke about Branding. Everything you do for, or with your business creates your brand. Brent's three main points to remember were: MEMBER MILESTONESKaren Simoneau is celebrating 10 years this month as an Independent Jeweller with Fifth Avenue Collection Jewellery. Congratulations! Joining PlanetCPU this month is John Rooyakkers - acting as General Manager. One of John's major roles in the company is working to provide the absolutely BEST customer service in the industry. John came from owning the Source downtown Fergus for almost 20 years. Congratulations to Michael Chong, MP on being chosen as the Best Parliamentarian of the Year (best represents constituents). Well respected law firm Grant & Acheson has merged with SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP. The two have joined to become a full service law firm which will continue from its offices in both Fergus and Guelph. Bridge Street Family Dentistry celebrates their 25th Anniversary. What a milestone! |
MICHAEL CHONG, MP REPORTSFollowing the federal election last spring, our government has remained focused on completing the economic recovery by creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, keeping taxes low and controlling government spending. We are also pursuing an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union, which would expand Canadian goods and services to the European market and deliver new jobs and economic benefits to a broad range of Canadian industries. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on our progress toward a Canada-EU CETA. Trade is a cornerstone of our economy. Trade accounts for over 60% of Canada’s economy, and one in five Canadian jobs depend on trade. When Canada trades, prices for goods and services go down, while wages and standard of living go up. Previous free-trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have demonstrated that expanded trade means more jobs here at home. Since signing NAFTA nearly 17 years ago, the North American economy has increased twofold, and we anticipate that a Canada-EU CETA will produce similar results for Canada’s economy. The EU is an ideal trade partner for Canada because it provides Canadian exporters with access to a high-income market of 500 million consumers, creating vast potential for new jobs and economic growth. The EU is the world’s largest importing market for goods – 2.7 times larger than the United States – and home to five out of the world’s eight largest goods-importing countries. Canada-EU CETA negotiations cover a broad range of industries and sectors, from aluminum to wheat products. These industries stand to gain a number of important advantages from tariff elimination and a reduction in non-tariff barriers. A Canada-EU CETA is expected to boost Canada’s economy by $12 billion and increase two-way trade by 20%. It is further estimated that it will create almost 80,000 new jobs. This trade agreement will provide Canadian businesses with the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with their global competitors. By broadening our trade relationship with a large and developed European market, businesses such as manufacturers, for example, can refine and improve their technology, making them more competitive domestically and internationally.
In October, Canada and the EU completed the ninth round of CETA negotiations in Ottawa, and both parties are committed to concluding an agreement by 2012. The government is holding extensive consultations with stakeholders across Canada, and we are clear that any agreement with the EU must be consistent with Canada’s domestic interests. I appreciate the feedback that many of you have provided, and I will be sure to forward your views to my caucus colleagues in Ottawa. If you have any questions about the Canada-EU CETA negotiations or any other matter, you can contact me by phone at (866) 878-5556 or by email at michael.chong@parl.gc.ca ROBERTA REPORTSAs another year is coming to a close, it is time to remember all that has happened and how to keep moving forward – in business and life. This year the Chamber offered a trip to China which was a huge success. 25 intrepid travellers, most of whom were seniors, toured Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai for 10 days. The Chamber held an All Candidates Meeting for the Provincial election. The Chamber launched a new e-magazine called THE FOCUS in the fall with thanks to the Communications Committee and staff person Heather Andrews. We also held our Awards of Excellence gala, Golf Tournament, Local Biz Night at the Grand River Raceway as well as 9 monthly breakfast meetings and many Business After Hours, several Ribbon Cuttings to welcome new business spirits, and the numerous Committee meetings to make all of these events happen. The Fergus Elora Retail Alliance (FERA), which the Chamber is a partner in, recently launched the ‘Gift of Choice’ program. If you click on the logo in the left column of our homepage you will see the ever growing list of Participating Merchants. We encourage everyone to think local and shop local first! There is no profit margin in this program so we are very thankful to our sponsors Scotiabank and OLG, as well as the partner groups Fergus BIA, Elora BIA and the Township of Centre Wellington Economic Development office. The streets of Fergus are full of change – we welcome new merchants and say farewell to the businesses that have relocated or changed direction. The Fergus BIA is focusing on beautification of the downtown. The new banners are looking great and I can hardly wait for the lights on the falls! Elora is bustling as ever with some business changes on their main street too. The Elora BIA said goodbye to Julie Cantin, their administrator of the last 3 years – time for her to focus on her core business. A new administrator will be announced shortly. The common thread through all of these groups (and many others) is the enthusiasm of the VOLUNTEERS! To all of the people in Centre Wellington that volunteer on any committee or for any cause – THANK YOU! Best wishes from the Chamber of Commerce to all businesses for continued success in 2012 and beyond! Keep balance and perspective with business and your personal life too. BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
RIBBON CUTTING
FACEBOOK & TWITTERThe Communications Committee is consistently working to help us help you. NEW to your member managed webpages, is the ability to add Facebook and Twitter links. Once you paste your link (with the http://), the logos will appear as:
Let the Chamber help you make your business Social! If you are looking to access and update your business page, please give us a call or e-mail membership@cwchamber.ca and we will be glad to assist.
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Disclaimer - Any opinions and articles in this newsletter, do not necessarily express the views of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce. We take every effort to ensure correct spelling and accuracy of information. If you have any comments or concerns, please email rscarrow@cwchamber.ca or phone 519-843-5140.
The Business Blink is a monthend email newsletter published by the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce for the business community. If you are not already a member, please consider supporting the Champion of Business in Centre Wellington by becoming a member.
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce | 400 Tower Street South | Fergus | Ontario | N1M 2P7 | Canada
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© 2013 Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce |
Information is supplied directly by Chamber members. The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce has not verified and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. Report inappropriate posting. |
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