Thursday, September 16, 2010 is set for the 15th Annual Business Excellence Awards to “Celebrate Business”. Chamber President, John Walker is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the prestigious Business Excellence Awards are: “Business Excellence”—Perry Mechanical Inc., Oshawa, and Northwind Solutions, Oshawa; “Civic Pride”—Oshawa Generals Hockey Club, Oshawa; “Innovative Technology”—Durham College, Durham Region; “New Enterprise”—Victory Cigars, Oshawa; “Business Person of the Year”—Mr. Keith Miller, of W.B. White Insurance Brokers Limited, Oshawa.

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce has always supported a timely resolution to the future of Oshawa Harbour and welcomed the news that the Government of Canada, the City of Oshawa and the Oshawa harbour Commission have worked collaboratively to reach an agreement that is a Win-Win-Win for all parties and further that the Government of Canada is investing in major improvements to the Port of Oshawa that will boost the Port as an attraction for families and visitors and support new jobs and business opportunities in the region.

This current news of an additional $10 million along with announcement by Minister Flaherty last year of the $9.2 million in federal funding over two years for environmental assessments and remediation of harbour marina lands and the west wharf and the creation of a Canadian Port Authority (CPA) announced by the Minister Baird is a good start to rejuvenating Port Oshawa. In a letter to Minister of Transport John Baird in 2009, the Chamber identified the environmental cleanup and future governance model of the harbour as two important priorities. It felt sufficient funds needed to be allocated for the environmental cleanup of the marina and caveated lands.

The Chamber believes Oshawa’s deep water harbour, 1 of only 18 in Canada, offers significant economic benefits to existing business and has the potential to attract new businesses to Durham Region. The Chamber  supports industrial, recreational, commercial and residential uses at the port and over the past decade, has shared that position with numerous transport ministers.

For full details on the agreement and for other information, visit www.oshawa.ca/harbour.

The June 2nd announcement of the phasing of Highway 407 through Durham, with the first end of link terminating at Simcoe Street in Oshawa, came as a surprise to the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.

In a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty on June 25, 2010 the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce thanked the Premier and the Ministry for announcing the extension of Highway 407, as a good start and noted its extreme disappointment that the parameters for completion of the highway had changed without any dialogue or input from the Durham community which has worked so diligently and in good faith over the past ten years on the completion of the Highway 407 extension to 35/115.

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce feels the public and business community have been mislead by the Ontario Government, adding to hear the announcement through the media was not right.

Click here for the complete letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty [PDF]

Click here for a copy of the response from Premier Dalton McGuinty [PDF]

Submitted by HOBB & COMPANY, Chartered Accountants & Tax Specialists
Businesses may want to consider delaying the purchase of goods and services that are subject to PST until after July 1, 2010 to take advantage of eligible ITC’s, for example, office equipment and furnishings. As the 8% provincial component of the HST may be recoverable, overall operating costs will be lower. Some consumers will be expecting to see cost adjustments to lower their costs. Consider the impact of HST on your pricing competitiveness.

HST Implementation Checklist

Harmonized Sales Tax: Overview of the Ontario HST presented by Cathie Rogan, CGA, Hobb & Company

100 UOIT banners installed in the downtown core just in time for university’s convocation. Downtown Oshawa is fast establishing a reputation as a centre for academic excellence with the development of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) downtown campus. The City of Oshawa, Downtown Oshawa Business Improvement Area (DOBIA) and UOIT partnered together to install banners along key corridors to mark the Downtown Oshawa University District.

On July 1, 2010, the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia will implement the harmonized sales tax (HST). The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will administer that tax. Here are a few helpful links to more information on the Harmonized Sales Tax. While you should certainly contact your accountant or bookkeeper to understand the transition rules and regulations as they pertain specifically to your business, these links may help: