The Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, International Trade invites you to participate in the next NEBS Mission to Buffalo on Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16, 2012. NEBS is a practical, cost-effective program ideally suited to give Ontario manufacturers, distributors, agents and other business professionals the tools they need to easily expand their business interests across the border.

Manufacturers in southern Ontario will improve their productivity and international competitiveness thanks to a contribution of $18.9 million provided by FedDev Ontario’s Prosperity Initiative announced in January. The funding will be allocated to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to launch a productivity improvement program, SMART Prosperity Now.

Ontario Chamber Report - The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is urging the provincial government to keep its promise to reduce corporate income tax (CIT) rates to 10 percent by 2013, amidst reports that the government is considering delaying the tax reduction. In its letter to the Hon. Dwight Duncan, the OCC asks the Minister of Finance to commit to implementing its comprehensive tax package in full.

Canadian Chamber Report - “The decision denying the Keystone XL pipeline proposal deepens America’s dependence on hostile or unreliable suppliers and will cost U.S. jobs,” says Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Perrin Beatty. “Canada should continue to press for a positive decision to build Keystone, but it’s also time to diversify our energy markets.”

Canadian Chamber Report - In a report released in mid January, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce argues that Canada-China ties are quickly becoming one of Canada’s most important external relationships. Today, more than ever, what happens in China represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Canadian businesses.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has submitted the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Integrated Safety Review (ISR) reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)—two important regulatory requirements in support of Darlington Refurbishment. The submissions demonstrate positive conclusions in support of refurbishment activities and the continued operation of the Darlington station.

For businesses finding that border delays and duplicative inspections are making them uncompetitive and for travelers tired of being stuck in long lines, Christmas came a little early in 2011.The two action plans released by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama on how to make our border and our regulatory processes more efficient provide enormous benefits to citizens and businesses in both our countries that have been affected by a border that’s become so much costlier, thicker and stickier in the last decade.

Stay safe at home with your family this holiday season! The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for home fires. Oshawa Fire Services is urging residents to follow “12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety” to help prevent the most common types of home fires that occur during the holiday season. “Make holiday safety a priority this year. Get the whole family involved and make sure everyone knows how to get out if a fire does occur,” said Oshawa Fire Chief Steve Meringer. “It is extremely important to install smoke alarms on every storey of the home as well as a carbon monoxide alarm and to test them regularly to make sure they work. Replace smoke alarms that are over 10 years old and carbon monoxide alarms over seven years old,” he added. Click MORE to learn the “12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety” tips.