The abrupt closing and announcement this past Friday (July 15, 2011) of the bankruptcy by IQT Ltd, in Oshawa and circumstances surrounding the closing and the impact on its over 400 employees shocked the business community. “The Chamber’s monthly publication “Business Matters” announcing IQT Ltd. Oshawa as one of the Business Excellence Award recipients this September had just been mailed to the business community prior to us receiving notice”, stated Bob Malcolmson, CEO & General Manager of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.The annual event recognizes members of the business community  for extraordinary success in all areas of business and display leadership within the community.  IQT Oshawa and its employees were to be recognized in one of the five award categories.

Thursday, September 15, 2011 is set for the 16th Annual Business Excellence Awards to “Celebrate Business”. Chamber President, Cris Douglas is pleased to announce the 2011 recipients of the prestigious Business Excellence Awards are “Business Person of the Year” - Dan Carter of Dan Carter Productions; “Business Excellence” -This Week Newspapers;“Business Excellence” - Don & Son Building Supplies;  “Civic Pride” - Independent Project Managers and “New Enterprise”, Barnies Ltd.

The Durham Economic Prosperity Conference (DEPC), first introduced in 2006, was an unprecedented success. Since then, every second year forward thinking leaders from across the region meet to discuss the most pressing issues facing Durham Region. In an effort to maximize the Region’s economic opportunities and follow up on the success of the 2010 conference the Committee has met and plans are underway for the fourth Economic Conference on the future of Durham Region.

The Darlington Energy Complex moved from concept to reality on July 6th as representatives from Ontario Power Generation (OPG), joined by business, community and political leaders from across Durham Region, officially broke ground at the site of the future Darlington Engery Complex, which is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2013. Pictured here (left to right) are: Paul Cocker, President and CEO, McKay-Cocker Construction Ltd. ; Roger Anderson, Regional Chair, Region of Durham; Albert Sweetnam, Executive Vice President Nuclear Projects, OPG; Mayor Adrian Foster, Municipality of Clarington; and Dietmar Reiner, Senior Vice President Nuclear Refurbishment, OPG.

Ornge, the provider of transport medicine services for Ontario, is pleased to announce the opening of a new satellite medical helicopter base at the Oshawa Municipal Airport later this year. The new facility, which will operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week, will be the home to Ornge paramedics, pilots and a new, state-of-the-art AW139 medically-equipped helicopter, providing critical care transport to patients throughout Southeastern Ontario and throughout the province.

"Ornge continuously strives to improve care for Ontario patients, and this new operation will help us enhance our coverage throughout this region,” said Tom Lepine, Chief Operating Officer for Ornge. “A Southeastern base has always been in our long term vision, and we are delighted to be able to open this facility sooner than expected.”

The announcement in June 2010 that the first end of link for the extension would be at Simcoe Street in Oshawa came as a surprise. Then in March of 2011, the province announced that Highway 407 would be extended to Harmony Road by 2015 and to Highway 35/115 by 2020. Since 2004, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce call for completion of Hwy 407 to Hwy 35/115 stressing that the negative economic, safety and capital investment impact to Ontario of not proceeding to complete the Eastward Extension—Highway 407 eastward from Brock Rd. in Pickering to Hwy 35/115, is real. This position was re-affirmed unanimously in May 2011 at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM.

The 2011 edition of our popular annual Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide is HOT off the press and distribution of the 6000 copies is underway. The Membership Directory/ Buyers’ Guide is being mailed to Chamber members and member representatives. The Buyers’ Guide section has been shipped to all businesses on the Canada Post business drop in Oshawa and Clarington. The Buyers’ Guide will be available online as a downloadable PDF shortly.

Most importantly, the contents of the directory are all about the “BEST” in Business—You—Our Members. Published annually since 1974, the Directory is a premier source of information on Chamber members and the services they offer. It enables the members to network with one another and develop business contacts within our community. Please use it as a guide when choosing services and remember Shop Members First!

The Conservatives said that giving them a majority would allow them to complete our economic recovery, create jobs, and provide stability to Canada’s business and families. With that majority, the Conservative government now has the responsibility to deliver for Canadian businesses. ”Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling on the government to move forward with a strong pro-growth strategy that will focus on jobs, productivity, strengthening the recovery and international trade”,  stated Chamber President, Perrin Beatty. “It is now time for politicians to get back to Ottawa and deliver for businesses all across the country. We have come far from the depths of the recession, but a lot still has to be done to ensure Canada remains competitive”.

Thousands of jobs and billions in revenues at risk unless federal politicians take action. Canada's $6.5 billion a year nuclear industry, and more than 70,000 people working in direct and indirect industry jobs, could be in jeopardy if federal politicians continue to delay decisions about the restructuring of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). The Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI) is calling for clarity on AECL so the industry can get back on track and capitalize on domestic and international opportunities in the growing nuclear power sector.

On Thursday April 7^th the traditional Top Hat Ceremony welcomed Captain Sergiy Kuzmin, Master of the M/V Tuscarora, the first overseas vessel to arrive at the Port of Oshawa signifying the official opening of the 2011 navigation season. The port is one of only 18 across the country that can handle deep water ships. On hand to welcome the ship were a number of dignitaries including Deputy Mayor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, Councillor Doug Sanders, Regional Councillor Amy England, Regional Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki, Dr. Colin Carrie, Oshawa MP and Cris Douglas, President, Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.

The Durham Economic Prosperity Committee released its final report on April 15, 2011 on the 3^rd Durham Economic Prosperity Conference (DEPC) held on November 5^th, 2010 at the Ajax Conference Centre in Ajax, Ontario. Durham Region continues to experience unparalleled economic growth, but with this growth comes many obstacles and challenges. In an effort to maximize the Region’s economic opportunities, community leaders came together to discuss the current economic situation and to develop an economic strategic direction. The Committee’s report, “Moving Forward Together—A Community Driven Plan to Bring Durham to Economic Prosperity” identified the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities where economic cooperation can pay greater dividends, assessed the challenges to a regional approach, and outlined the next steps to ensure a regional approach succeeds.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to ensure Canada’s businesses have the tools to succeed at home and in an intensely competitive global economy. When Canada’s businesses are healthy, all Canadians benefit. When they are not, all Canadians feel the pain. Canadians face important choices in this election. Our governments and businesses coming out of this election need to demonstrate the vision to capitalize on Canada’s strengths.

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) has been on record with the province of Ontario since December 2005 supporting the Nuclear New Build at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station “B”; and it further supports the Municipality of Clarington’s position that Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is the preferred supplier of the new nuclear. In a presentation to the hearings on April 7^th, 2011 delegates from the GOCC reaffirmed its support for the application for Darlington’s New Build and that Ontario Power Generation’s programs (to ensure the safety of the public and protection of the environment) warrant this support stating “OPG shows all of the elements of managerial control necessary and a proven safety and environmental performance record.”

Earth Day Canada has just introduced the Small Business Hometown Heroes Award. The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to attend any professional development course, workshop, summit or conference focused on environmental sustainability and/or conservation within Canada.  Nominate yourself, an individual, group, organization or small business from your community by April 22nd, 2011. For criteria and details of the award, visit www.earthday.ca/hometown/eligibility.php#small_business. Please contact the Chamber at 905-728-1683 and let the staff know if you have been nominated, or plan to nominate yourself.