Get involved and make a difference. The 3^rd Annual “Challenge” is a great opportunity for networking and there are several areas, including bowling, go karting and air tag, where volunteers are needed to help the event run smoothly. It takes teamwork to make the event work, and the Chamber needs your help. The Annual Challenge will take place at NEB’s World, 1300 Wilson Road N. in Oshawa and if you can spare some time on Wednesday, March 2, between 3PM and 8PM, please contact the Chamber at 905-728-1683 and put your name on the list.

During 2010 the Chamber staff, with the assistance of our volunteer ambassadors and events committee, organized over ninety networking events and committee meetings throughout the year ranging in size from 10 to 12 attendees at a Lunch and Learn to over 300 attending the Disney Institute two day training session. The Chamber boardroom saw a wide variety of people come through the doors to attend over 30 meetings for members and government agencies. All in all, over 4,100 people attended events organized and hosted by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.

Let’s work together to make this a safe winter for our community. With the snow finally arriving, the City of Oshawa asks residents, businesses and landlords to help their community by clearing the way. Property owners are reminded to completely clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties by midnight of the first day after precipitation has ended.  Furthermore, if you have a fire hydrant in front of your home or business...

- Report by Perrin Beatty, President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Over the last decade, the Canadian Chamber has led the call for a more competitive tax system, and governments of different political stripes have delivered. There are now ominous signs in Ottawa that this progress may be lost. As Canada emerges from a global recession, our political leaders are searching for strategies to balance the books. Some are proposing to scrap or delay the legislated cuts in corporate income tax rates which have been a central aspect of the federal fiscal plan since being announced in 2007.

The Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI) welcomes the fact that Senator Hervieux-Payette’s Private Member’s Bill regarding the restructuring and reorganization of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) draws attention to an issue that is of considerable importance to Canada’s ongoing position as an energy superpower.

30.55% of the over 108,000 eligible turned out October 25th to vote, up 5.45% from 25.1% in 2006. The voters sent a clear message to the newly elected Oshawa City Council after electing a new Mayor, John Henry. Voters want to see an end to the ever increasing taxes and the bitter disputes and divisive council. This is a new council and the citizens want to see it run like a business with a cohesive council that will work to keep our City’s Strategic and Financial Plan on track.

Six key issues of concern or major concern to the business community identified in a recent survey were Economic Development with 92% of respondents feeling this should be of concern or major concern, followed closely by Finance and Taxation, Hwy 407 Extension, Downtown Rejuvenation, Environment, and the sixth issue with a 55% rating was Business Property Taxes.

Although only 30.55% of the over 108,000 eligible voters in Oshawa turned out in October to vote, the electorate voted on the question “Are you in favour of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Durham passing the necessary resolutions and by-laws to change the method of selecting its Chair from appointment by the members of Regional Council to election by general vote of all electors in the Region?”  63.7% of Oshawa voters were in favour, 17.6% voted no and 18.6% of the voters casting ballots did not vote Yes or No.