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NEWSLETTER
March - April 2008 |
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MESSAGE
FROM THE PRESIDENT |
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I am very pleased to recognize the outstanding PECCTAC members
that have agreed to sit on the 2008 Board of Directors. These
members sit on the board as volunteers and work very hard on our
member’s behalf.
The board is your voice on behalf of our business community. In
2008 we will strive to represent your interests and goals through
direct services, special programs and activities, advocacy issues,
and economic development initiatives. Helping to shape and encourage
a diverse and prosperous economy remains our primary goal.
To achieve our goals we must maintain a unified and influential
voice for all PECCTAC members. Your Board of Directors needs your
input so we can act on our Members' concerns. We will continue
to market Prince Edward County as the best destination for business
and visitors.
Our busy season is about to start and I look forward to a prosperous
year for all members.
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Rick Caruso,
President
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I am very please to recognize the outstanding citizens that have
agreed to sit on the 2008 Board of Directors:
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Past President – Ian Scrimshaw
Vice President – Dave Ashton
Treasurer – Geoff Church
Secretary – Brian Munro
Lynne McMullan
Adam Holgate
Peter Birtwistle
Andrew Smith
Lynn Weber
Courtney Gough
Dawn MacNeal
Council Representative – Richard Parks
Sincerely, Rick Caruso, President
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A wonderful evening took place at PECCTAC’s 2008 Annual
General Meeting.
Stuart Johnston, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations
with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce spoke of the importance of
our members in shaping the way business is conducted and how each
member is empowered through your local Chamber of Commerce to make
changes.
“It’s part of our mandate to increase the volume of
your voice,” Johnson states. It can be hard for an individual
business to have an effect on government issues, but you and your
employees, together, equal several thousand – and that’s
a pretty powerful voice. |
Stuart Johnston, Vice President of Policy
and Government Relations with the OCC |
Greetings by Mayor Finnegan who gave MPP Leona Dombrowsky’s
best wishes. |
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Local radio host and comedian Wayne
Flemming delighted the guests with his energetic, hilarious
and versatile comedy act.
A great turnout by our members even though the weather was dreadful.
Our thanks to the Picton Legion for the excellent dinner served.
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Your Chamber @ work |
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President Rick Caruso and
General Manager Lawrie Ackerman will
be attending the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Annual General
meeting in Oshawa this May and will present 2 resolutions
Current Market Assessment Process and Journey Person
Ratios.
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The Current Market Assessment Process Recommendations:
1. To freeze the assessed value of every property at its fair market
price when it is purchased. As long as the property has the same
owner, limit the annual increase in the assessed value of that property
to 3 percent or to the previous year’s Consumer Price Index,
whichever is lower. As long as the property has the same owner,
ensure that the assessed value of the property never exceeds its
Current Value. As long as the property has the same owner, freeze
the fair market value of completed major additions or remodels,
and then add it to the assessment in the following tax year.
2. To provide adequate compensation to Municipalities to neutralize
the present and future costs of downloaded provincial services.
3. To legislate to have all of the Municipal members of the MPAC
Board elected by Municipal Councils rather than be appointed by
the Minister of Finance.
4. To address the PIL payments and Ontario Municipality Partnership
Fund (OMPF) in areas that are assessment rich but wage poor.
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The Journeyperson to Apprenticeship
Ratio resolution recommendations are to: 1. Re-align
ratios in restricted trades to allow for one-to-one ratios between
apprentices and journeypersons.
2. Lobby the Federal government to increase the tax incentives
for businesses that hire apprentices and increase the Tradesperson’s
Tool deductions.
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| Dates
to Remember! |
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PECCTAC's Meet & Greet
Meet&Greet March 2008 Milford Bistro
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February 29
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PECCTAC's ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING
Legion, Picton |
March 11
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Meet & Greet
Milford Bistro |
April 8
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Meet & Greet
Swingate Gardens - Black River
965 County Rd 13 |
May 13
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Meet & Greet Indulgence
Spa, 12 Carla Court, Wellington |
June 10
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Bay of Quinte Mutual
Insurance & Farm Mutual Financial Services, 13379 Loyalist Pkwy,
Picton
Summer kick-off BBQ! |
September 9
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Meet & Greet
Katy's Collections,
80 Main St., Picton |
October 14
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Meet
& Greet Sunrise Cottage Resort
15841 Loyalist Parkway, Wellington |
November 11
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Meet
& Greet Bergeron's Estate Winery, 9656 Loyalist Parkway, Adolphustown |
December 9
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Meet
& Greet
(TBA) |
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Check out the NEW Bay of Quinte Country website:
www.bayofquintecountry.com
The Bay of Quinte Tourist Council is made up of representatives
from the Prince
Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Belleville &
District Chamber
of Commerce, Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, Brighton & District
Chamber
of Commerce, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and the Greater Napanee
Chamber
of Commerce.
The function of this organization is to execute outward
marketing initiatives to
promote the Bay of Quinte area. This not-for-profit organization
was established
in 1982 and has successfully marketed this area throughout the years
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working in partnership. |
New funding Initiative!
BQTC has approved in principle to submit an application for OTMP
funding to advertise & market the Bay of Quinte area. Each
partner has been asked to provide a list of ideas of what BQTC
would like to accomplish, look at each of our community partners
for package opportunities i.e. restaurants, accommodation, events
packages, and how we would measure the success of this campaign.
Part of the project would be to get funding for updating the 401
Bay of Quinte Country sign and the 401 kiosk.
The NEW Golf Map is ready. This full colour
map features all the wonderful golf facilities in the Bay of Quinte
area.
BQTC has submitted an application to Service Canada for the funding
of 3 students for the 401 kiosk located at Wooler Road.
Jan attended the Toronto Sportsman’s Show on behalf of
the BQTC.
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| Welcome
New Members |
NEW
Great Member Benefit! |
Art on Main Gallery
Bed & Beyond/Prinyer’s Cove Marina
Bergeron Estate Winery
Chatsworth Antiques
LizBiz Public Relations
Prince Edward County Lavender
Sweet Dreams B&B
The Dressing Room in Wellington
Wavecrest Cottage & Suite Associate member – ML Mariah
Bat-Hajim
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PECCTAC is pleased to announce a group plan for
home and car insurance exclusive to Chamber members.
You can potentially save hundreds of dollars.
Please see all the details in the enclosed flyer.
Don’t wait - call Don Stanton of McDougall Stanton
Insurance Brokers at 613.476. 2776 to get a quote.
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| ARE
YOU PAYING TOO MUCH? |
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VISA - 1.69%
MasterCard - 1.79%
CALL US TODAY TO GET THESE GREAT
RATES!
613.476.2421 or e- mail pec@reach.net
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NEW
Advertising Opportunity! |
The 2008 awards gala will be on Friday
October 24th, 2008 at the
Knights of Columbus Hall in Trenton. Mark your calendar so you
won’t miss this great event.
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NEW Advertising Opportunity!
PECCTAC’s website had over 1.3 million hits in 2007.
Now your business can be front and centre on our website.
Check out the enclosed insert with all
the details!
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2008
Member-to-Member Benefit Card |
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This card was sent to you with your mailed newsletter.
Use this card and receive the special benefits your fellow members
have offered. A list of all participating businesses is on our
website at www.pecchamber.com.
If you want to participate in providing member-to-member benefits
fill out the enclosed application and return it to our office.
It is a WIN-WIN opportunity both for your business and
you!
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| Bridal Show |
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PECCTAC had a booth at the recent Bridal Show held at the Picton
Community Centre Hall. There was a great turnout and lots of interest
says President, Rick Caruso.
Ross Lindsay of Brown’s Manor and Brian & Faye Munro
of Four Winds welcoming visitors to look at all the accommodation
and potential wedding spots. |
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The Ontario Chamber of Commerce key message pertaining
to the federal budget announcement February 26, 2008:
Fiscal Imbalance
"The government's commitment to a balanced budget that encourages
business investment in productivity enhancing technologies, is certainly
welcome," adds
Len Crispino, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
"However, looking at it through an Ontario lens, we're disappointed
that the
government hasn't addressed the lack of sustainability and fairness
in our
federal fiscal transfer system. We were hoping the government would
finish
the job it began in the 2007 Federal Budget to address the inequities
in Canada's equalization formula and outside transfers in areas
such as healthcare,
employment insurance benefits and training, infrastructure and education."
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Key Messages:
• No substantive initiatives to address the unfairness and
unsustainability of the Federal fiscal transfer system.
• We were hoping the government would finish the job it began
in the 2007 Federal Budget.
• Outside of equalization – it is only fair that transfers
be made on a per capita basis – that is not the case today.
• Employed workers in Ontario continue to receive less than
their counterparts in other provinces – and infrastructure,
environment and health transfers (Patient Wait Times Guarantee Trust)
fail to be made on a per capita basis.
• While the government announced in 2007 that The Canada Health
Transfer (CHT) would be provided on an equal per person cash basis
– Ontario must wait until 2014-15 for this to take effect.
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Border Issues
• Government has made new investments in border efficiency and
security.
• Including additional resources for Canada Border
Services Agency to manage
border – as well as significant announcements regarding passports
and
enhanced driver’s licences.
• A passport valid for
10 years is directly in line with our recommendations.
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Immigration;
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Pleased to see investment in immigration process to increase efficiency
and reduce wait times – since immigration will supply 100% of
the growth in our labour force – by 2011.
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Productivity Enhancing measures
• While short-term injections do not address the fundamental
challenges in our
economy – sectors such as the auto sector will benefit in some
way from a
modest investment in research and development projects.
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An extension of the capital cost allowance is positive allowing our
manufacturers to invest in new equipment and machinery.
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Workforce:
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Investment in mental health initiatives in Canada welcome.
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