Community volunteer Fred Ball is being remembered as a “great historian, valuable mentor and tremendous jewel.” Mr. Ball passed away on March 21 at Lakeridge Health Oshawa surrounded by his family at age 73.

A proud, fourth-generation resident of Oshawa, Mr. Ball began a career in insurance in 1964 with London Life. That same year, he joined the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, he chaired several Chamber committees and served as Chamber President in 1971 and 1972.

He was the proud recipient of the Richard A. Dolphin Community Service Award, presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Annual General Meeting in 2006. “It is a rare and precious thing to come across volunteers like Fred,” OCC President and CEO Len Crispino said at the award presentation.

“His dedication to both the Oshawa Chamber and to the whole community is something that should be cherished and honoured. For over 40 years, Fred has contributed to the prosperity of Oshawa and I have no doubt that the community is far better for it.”

Chamber General Manager and CEO Bob Malcolmson echoed those comments. “Fred is a great historian for our Chamber and tremendous mentor, not only for myself, but for many of our past presidents,” he said of the award presentation. “Fred is truly a tremendous jewel. It’s rewarding to recognize someone who has worked quietly behind the scenes to make such positive impacts.”

by Tom Mitchell President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation

As we in Ontario have watched the images in Japan from the earthquake and tsunami, the damage to some of its nuclear power plants has been a major cause for concern. For many of us, among the first questions asked were: “Could similar events happen here? In Ontario? In the Greater Toronto Area?” The short answer is, “No.”

[Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) posted a number of Q & A's that explains the robustness of Canada's nuclear technology and seismic qualification, please visit their website which will be frequently updated.]

Let me give you the reasons. When I say that similar nuclear emergencies could not happen here, I am not writing with a sense of complacency. Safe operations and emergency preparedness are a priority at Ontario Power Generation. Along with other nuclear operators in the world, we will closely examine the Japanese experience to learn how we can make our operations even safer.

It is important to note some basic differences between the conditions in Japan and those of Ontario’s 16 operating nuclear reactors.

Background Material:
Observations on OPG’s Nuclear Operations after the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami [PDF]
Ontario Nuclear Safety: Reflecting On Events In Japan [PDF]

As part of the government's Open Ontario plan to create jobs and strengthen the economy, the Minister of Transportation announced on Thursday March 10, 2011, the extension of Highway 407 East is to be extended to Harmony Road in Oshawa by 2015, and then to Highway 35/115 by 2020 helping to relieve highway congestion and create about 13,000 jobs in the first phase alone.

“The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce has been an active member of the Highway 407 Community Advisory Committee since the fall of 2002 and today’s announcement is great news,” stated Cris Douglas, President of the Chamber. Adding that “in recent months the issue had become extremely politicized and in a recent letter to the Premier, the Chamber felt we needed to ratchet down the political rhetoric, bring all stakeholders together to find an acceptable alternative, set out firm timelines and commitments for the extension past Oshawa to 35/115.”

Canadian economist will provide insight to local business community on April 12th. Interested in gaining some insight to the ever changing economy? Mark your calendars; the City of Oshawa’s annual Economic Outlook Breakfast will provide the opportunity to hear from Craig Alexander, one Canada’s leading economists.

Craig Alexander, who is the Senior Vice President & Chief Economist for the TD Bank Financial Group, will be in Oshawa on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 to present an economic outlook to the local business community. He will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the country, the province and the region at the City of Oshawa’s 6th Annual Economic Outlook Breakfast.

With change in the air the business community came out to hear what newly minted Mayor John Henry and his council plan for the future. The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayor’s State-of-the-City address was attended by over 300 business leaders. Sponsored by BMO Bank of Montreal for the 19th consecutive year, the luncheon was hosted at Tosca Banquet Hall. Chamber President Cris Douglas noted this was the largest Mayor’s luncheon on record.

“Oshawa is on the threshold of great things!” - Mayor John Henry

The Ministry of Transportation is assessing the impact that stopping Hwy 407 in Oshawa will have on local traffic and is developing options for further discussion, according to a recent letter sent from Minister Wynne to Oshawa Mayor Henry.  The letter, dated February 2, is in response to the City of Oshawa’s RAMP it up! campaign that urges the province to expedite construction of the Hwy 407 East Extension from Brock Road in Pickering through to Hwy 35/115 in one continuous phase. Just 10 weeks ago, Minister Kathleen Wynne emphatically stated at a public meeting with Durham Region and area politicians that the project would absolutely proceed in two phases with the first phase stopping at Simcoe Street.

Building on the success of the inaugural 2010 A Tribute to Our Troops dinner, a community-based volunteer committee has again come together to celebrate the troops of The Ontario Regiment and to raise funds for The Ontario Regiment Foundation.

The 2^nd Annual Dinner is set for Thursday, April 7th 2011, at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility. If you would like to sponsor or attend this amazing event details can be found at www.troopstribute.com and click on partnership opportunities. The Dinner is $150.00 per person. For more information just go to the website or call Sgt. Andrea Downey, Regimental Chief Clerk at 905-721-4000 ext 4027.

February 11, 2011 – Dr. Tim McTiernan will be the third president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), effective July 1, 2011.  Dr. McTiernan, currently a senior administrator at the University of Toronto, replaces President Ronald Bordessa who completes his term on June 30.

"We were very impressed by the calibre of nominations resulting from a comprehensive search and have found a highly respected candidate with outstanding leadership qualities and a compelling vision to lead Canada’s fastest growing new university,” said Peter Williams, board chair of UOIT. “Our new president brings extensive experience having worked in both academic and government organizations with a focus on research, innovation, economic development and commercialization. Dr. McTiernan is an ideal fit for UOIT because he deeply understands the tremendous opportunities of our students, staff and faculty and is strongly committed to our unique academic mandate and research excellence.”

The Australian Canadian Association (YACA) invites you to support a fundraising event for victims of the Australian floods.  Please join the YACA for a ONE NIGHT ONLY special event with the local entertainment industry on Saturday February 19, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. till late at The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue in Toronto  The funds raised from the event will go towards supporting the disadvantaged in Queensland and Victoria, who have been hit by the horrific floods, and need financial and other assistance on an urgent basis. The tragedy is of epic proportions - current estimates put the damages at $13B with more than 3 million residents affected and too many dead.  Let's hope the ongoing disaster will come to an end as soon as possible. To register, visit www.yaca.ca.

An acceptable alternative needs to be found, or we may all lose. That was the message delivered by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce at the January 19th, public meeting on the Hwy 407 extension, hosted by the City of Oshawa. Chamber C.E.O. Bob Malcolmson said in discussions with business leaders, they all agree it is imperative that Hwy 407 comes to Oshawa. The Chamber recommended putting in place an acceptable alternative that gets the 407 to Oshawa and through Durham Region to the 35/115. Pictured right are Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal and Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Rick Johnson unveiling a sign on Highway 35/115,  just north of Kirby, indicating the future location of the intersection with Highway 407. The sign was unveiled in December 2010 and doesn’t indicate when the government anticipates the extension will be completed. Since the announcement in June 2010 local area politicians at all levels have been lobbying the government.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce recently announced changes to the Preferred Rate program between TD Merchant Services and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC). The rates for processing Visa, MasterCard credit electronic transactions, and Interac Direct Payment transactions are decreasing! These changes are effective May 1, 2011 but members can take advantage of the new preferred pricing IMMEDIATELY! The process is simple! Chamber members who are currently using the program need to complete a request form and take advantage of the new Preferred Rate program immediately. Click here for new pricing and to download a copy of the waiver.

Not a Chamber Member and want to take advantage of the Preferred Pricing Program? If you are not a GOCC Chamber member, and wish to take advantage of the TD Merchant Services Preferred Pricing Program, or any other Member Advantage program the Chamber offers, please contact the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce at 905-728-1683.

By Ian Howcroft, President, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)
Manufacturing and exporting outpaced the Canadian economy in 2010 and will do so again in 2011. In fact, sustaining Canada’s economic recovery depends on a continuing rebound in manufacturing production as well as on the strength of our exports of resources, manufactured goods, and services to markets around the world.