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Upcoming Events:

Tue. Aug, 2/11 - Sat. Apr, 14/12 - Oshawa Little Theatr... |
Thu. Jan, 12/12 - Wed. Feb, 29/12 - The Driven To Quit S... |
Sat. Feb, 4/12 - BPW Interactive Work... |
Tue. Feb, 7/12 - Thu. May, 10/12 - General Motors Centr... |
Tue. Feb, 7/12 - A Tasting Evening At... |
Wed. Feb, 8/12 - Lunch and Learn |
Wed. Feb, 8/12 - 17th Anuual Durham S... |
Thu. Feb, 9/12 - Chamber Membership O... |
Mon. Feb, 13/12 - Tue. Feb, 14/12 - IPAC 7th Leadership ... |
Wed. Feb, 15/12 - Biz Under 40 - Young... |

Welcome to the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Chamber Releases Economic Outlook For 2012

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce released its Economic Outlook for 2012 on December 28, 2011. In its report, they observe that while many of Canada's economic advantages remain intact, ample headwinds will constrain growth in the year ahead. Fortunately, business investment remains a bright spot in both 2012 and 2013.

OPG Submits Documents For Regulatory Approvals

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.

2011 A Year In Review - From HWY 407 to Nuclear New Build!

During 2011 the Chamber staff, with the assistance of its 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 Annual Mayor’s Luncheon. The Chamber boardroom saw a wide variety of people come through the doors to attend over 30 meetings for members and government agencies. Membership, in the recovering economy grew 1.8% with over 1,125 entrepreneurs, managers and corporate executives on the Chamber Who’s Who list.

Employers: Expect Canada Pension Plan Changes In 2012

Did you know...? Changes to the way employers deduct Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions are coming into effect in January 2012. Important facts for employers.
Read more... [Employers: Expect Canada Pension Plan Changes In 2012]

Accessibility Standard for Customer Service Takes Effect January 1, 2012

Disability impacts the lives of many Ontarians, and the number of people with disabilities is increasing. In the next 20 years, an aging population and people with disabilities will represent 40% of total income in Ontario - that's $536 billion. Making sure all Ontarians have accessible customer service is not only the right thing to do, it makes good business sense.

Ontario's new Accessibility Standard for Customer Service can help you meet the needs of this growing community. Starting January 1, 2012, the standard will come into effect for all businesses and organizations with one or more employees. Visit ontario.ca/AccessON to learn which changes apply to your organization and to find free tools to help you.

Inventors Wanted For New TV Series

Do you have a unique invention? Have you found a genius solution to an everyday problem? If so, this new TV show could help you develop and market it to the world! On W Network's "Backyard Inventors", one of the world's leading inventors, Doug Hall, and his team will show you how to turn a great idea into a real product, then introduce you to company CEOs with the power to fast track it to the mass market.

Click here for more details and to learn how to qualify.

Sometimes, Governments Get It Right

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.

“12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety Tips”

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.

Rally Together to Save Lives - The Need For Blood Is Significant This Holiday Season

CALL TO ACTION! The Oshawa Permanent Clinic are asking businesses, organizations, community groups to rally together and take an hour of time to donate as a team and that a minimum of 10 people come together and donate on one day at the Oshawa Clinic. They will provide recognition for your group donation through media outreach,promotion within the clinic as well as through our national call centre. They can also provide a bus to come and pick you up as a team. This holiday season, Rally Together to Save Lives with your friends, family, coworkers. Act together collectively and make a difference to help hospital patients.

To book your day please contact Melissa Smith-McGuire at 416-550-0934 or by email.

CBC's The Big Decision Sends Dragons On The Road Looking for Canadian Companies to Apply for the Show

CBC is announcing that stars of Canada's top-rated entertainment program Dragons' Den are hitting the road to help struggling companies get back on track by offering their expertise - and their own MONEY. Producers of the exciting new series The Big Decision are currently searching for Canadian companies to participate in the show, which will give business owners an opportunity to receive no-nonsense advice and an investment from Canada's most successful and respected entrepreneurs.

Building CANDU in Ontario Would Send Powerful Signal

Patrick Lamarre, Executive Vice-President of SNC-Lavalin Incorporated by Kevin Petersen, UOIT
“To win internationally we have to win domestically”. The need for collaborative efforts between the Canadian nuclear industry, its partners and all levels of government is needed to encourage growth and development in the Canadian Nuclear industry, an industry expert told local business and industry representatives as well as government representatives including Durham MPP John O’Toole, Pickering Scarborough MPP Tracy MacCharles, Regional Chair Roger Anderson, Mayors David Ryan, Pickering, Steve Parish, Ajax, Pat Perkins, Whitby, Adrian Foster, Clarington and Deputy Mayor City of Oshawa, Nester Pidwerbecki.

Canadian Chamber’s Reaction To Minister Flaherty’s Speech

Statement by the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in reaction to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on November 8, 2011. “The Finance Minister reported today (November 8) on the state of the Canadian economy. Few Canadians will be surprised that the federal government is now anticipating that the books could be balanced two years later than expected. Having just returned from the B20 in Cannes, I can attest that we are seeing an economic slowdown throughout the world. However, we are still anticipating positive growth in Canada. We are looking at a slowdown but not at a recession.

Supporting Our Troops

The City of Oshawa and community partners purchased “Support Our Troops” banners and on November 7th raised the banners at seven local veterans’ associations: Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum; 420 Wing RCAF Association; Canadian Corps Association Unit 42 Oshawa; Oshawa Naval Veterans Club; Polish Veterans’ Association Oshawa; Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43; and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 637. On hand for the banner presentation at the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum were the following community partners: (from left to right) Bob Pinkney, Manager TD Canada Trust; Inspector Eva Reti, Durham Regional Police Service; Patrick Racine and Jason Pow, Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Association; Staff Sgt. Dave Brown, Durham Regional Police Service and Steve Leslie, Vice President TD Commercial Banking (South East Ontario District).

OCC Supports Canada’s Decision to Join Trans-Pacific Partnership

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce supports the federal government’s decision to apply for membership to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). On November 13, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will formally apply to join the emerging Trans-Pacific Partnership trade group of Asia-Pacific countries.
Read more... [OCC Supports Canada’s Decision to Join Trans-Pacific Partnership]

Toys For Tickets On December 8 & 9!

The City of Oshawa is offering amnesty to motorists who receive parking tickets this festive season by providing the option of donating a new toy in lieu of payment on December 8th and 9th, 2011. The Toys for Tickets program is a great way to give back and assist families in need in our community. All toys will be donated to the Durham Regional Police Service Food and Toy Drive and distributed to children in need for the holidays.

Cyber-Security: A Necessity For Any Business

Submitted by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner , who protects and promotes the privacy rights of individuals.
In a world where more and more business is being done online and information stored digitally, every business needs to ask itself: are we set to face online threats? Some have called 2011 “the year of the breach” as major corporations have fallen victim to hackers who have compromised the personal information of customers held by company databases. While in most cases it’s been high-profile multinationals that have been hit, small business owners shouldn’t gain a false sense of security. Unlike your business, a highly visible multinational may indeed be a blinking target for hackers looking to make a big statement or score. But at the same time, a big business typically has the resources to weather the storm of brand damage and lost trust brought on by such an incident. Do you?

CME Report - New Approach to Essential Skills

Submitted by Ian T. Howcroft, Vice President, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) Ontario
Everyone agrees that our future is dependent on having a well trained workforce with the necessary competencies that will allow us to succeed in the global economy. We often hear about the skills shortages, and the need for more and more advanced training. However, there is also a real need to address the shortfall that we experience in the area of essential skills. These are the foundation skills that one must possess in order to advance to higher learning or to develop technical skills. There are far too many individuals who do not have the basic literacy or numeric skills to operate at a level that is necessary in the workplace. Some have learned great coping skills that have allowed them to function, and remain under the radar to keep their secret from co-workers and their supervisors. Others have had to take limited employment opportunities or jobs that they detest. In all cases, these workers’ are not realizing their full potential, economically or career wise. Furthermore, the economy as a whole is not able to realize its potential so there are multiple benefits to finding solutions to this enormous problem.

GREAT 2-FOR-1 OFFER TO SEE THE OSHAWA POWER IN NOVEMBER!

The Oshawa Power basketball team of the NEW National Basketball League of Canada would like to invite you and a friend to “FEEL THE ENERGY” at any of our HOME games during the month of November. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it your name and contact info, and when you purchase any lower bowl ticket you will receive another of equal value for FREE That means two people can check out Canada’s only professional basketball league for as little as $14! See what the talk is all about at the GM Centre in Oshawa! Offer valid until November 30, 2011!! Free ticket will be issued for the same game as the purchased ticket. Click MORE > for list of upcoming games and more details..