Several Directors of the PECCTAC board had the pleasure of attending the 6th Annual Business Achievement Awards Gala on Friday, October 18th. Congratulations to 2 “County” businesses and PECCTAC members for receiving the Business Merit Award – The Waring House Restaurant, Inn, Conference Centre & Cookery School and Picton Home Hardware. Pathways to Independence received the 1st award to recognize the not-for-profit category. Congratulations to everyone.

PECCTAC is very active in the Picton Revitalization Project. In our last Newsletter we told you about the study by Ryerson University that will focus upon Picton initially and hopefully provide a platform, which can be applied in other communities in terms of “revitalization” of the downtown area. The event is planned for the weekend of March 14 – 16th. Without the volunteer efforts this vital study would not take place. Thanks to John Hill and Carol Rutter for being the Project Leaders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday time.

Lawrie Ackerman – President

2003 Annual General Meeting

The next Annual General Meeting will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at 6:30 pm at The Devonshire Inn in Wellington.
Six directors will be elected by the membership present, each for a term of 2 years. Board meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month, ten times per year.

Can You Serve?

Please give serious thoughts to serving as a PECCTAC Director. If interested please call Claire Vilela – (476-2156) or Babbs Welsh (476-2421) to ask questions. You can make a difference in our community!

Water Levels - PECCTAC’s Concerns!

Since the middle of August many of us have been watching the water levels around the County going down rapidly (West Lake, The Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario).
They are currently at the lowest level I have seen in 14 years. The annual drop in levels affects many local businesses by diminishing their access to the recreational waterways and the ability to use their docking facilities.
On the 18th of October I attended a round table discussion hosted by the International Joint Commission. The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River study began in 2000 and is to run for 5 years and present their recommendations to the Commission.
The study is currently gathering information in the areas of power production, navigation, affects on shoreline communities, environmental factors, shore erosion, flood control, boating and tourism.
They are still in the information gathering stage and only provided some general information by way of an introduction. They stated that 85% of the Lake water comes by way of the Niagara River from Lake Erie, the other 15% from precipitation and ground water. The Commission at present attempts to keep the levels within a 4-foot range but are not always successful.
The suggestions that I put forward to assist local tourist operators, fishermen etc. are that they reduce the range to 2 feet and that they delay the start of the large drop from the end of July to the end of August so that we can maintain usable water levels through the whole summer season.
Ian Scrimshaw – Vice President

OCC Appointed to Watershed Committee

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce was recently appointed to the provincial advisory committee on watershed-based source protection in Ontario.
The committee will help develop a framework to implement Justice O’Connor’s recommendations on source-protection planning.
For more information and background documents see www.occ.on.ca

Do you know the Origins of The Chamber of Commerce?

In 1925, 50 men from existing chambers of commerce met in Winnipeg with the aim of creating a strong unified and influential voice for Canadian business and establishing a set of values from which policies would emerge - values to encourage economic growth and long-term prosperity. These business visionaries sought to establish an organization that could build a strong future and nation. As a result the Canadian Board of Trade, which became the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, was the culmination of these founders' efforts. Since 1926, when the first annual meeting was held in Saint John, NB, the Chambers' members have included chambers and boards of trade from across the country as well as business leaders from the corporate community.
The Chamber is unique because it is the only voluntary, non-political association that has an organized grassroots affiliates in every single federal riding.
Now, as a new century and millennium begin, the need for an influential and informed advocate for Canadian business is as essential as ever.

The Chamber moves forward, proud of its accomplishments in advising government and helping shape federal legislation that encourages a diverse and prosperous economy.

Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce was previously known as the Picton Board of Trade and was formed in 1905 and incorporated in 1976. In 1996 (PECCTAC) was created when the PEC Chamber of Commerce (COC) merged with the Quinte's Isle Tourist Association (QITA).
More Partnership Opportunities!

Your PECCTAC Board continues to look at partnership marketing opportunities for our members.
Be sure to take part in the free Events Listings at: www.tourismpartners.com. In addition there is a list of Events Guides that are available for marketing your business in 2003 through Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnerships.

IT's NOT TOO LATE!

It is not too late to take advantage of the co-op marketing opportunities PECCTAC has signed up for. PECCTAC has booked one full page of advertising in the “Ontario East” magazine. If you are interested in taking part in this advertising opportunity please call Babbs at 476-2421. The deadline to participate has been extended.
PECCTAC has taken a full page of advertising in the “Eastern Ontario Golf” magazine. This publication will be displayed at the major golf shows in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, at the Ontario Ministry of Tourism outlets, all CAA outlets across Canada, the Ottawa Convention Tourism Authority and the National Capital Info Centre and hotel lobbies. All 2003 tourism partners will benefit from exposure through their website www.golfmax.ca and their links. Please call Babbs for further information or to participate.

Being a Member

Being a member of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce provides a stronger voice through our affiliation with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. See articles below.

Global Payments Canada Inc. recently purchased the MasterCard acquiring business of the National Bank of Canada. Global Payments, one of the largest transactions processors in North America, announced that it will be continuing the association with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce as the only officially endorsed MasterCard processor. Global Payments offers the following preferred MasterCard program for Electronic Deposits:

Initial Sign Up fee of $50.00 is waived.
Preferred MasterCard Merchant Rate of 1.85%.
There will be no charge for funds deposited into the National Bank of Canada. Alternatively, participating members may deposit their MasterCard funds to any other bank of their choice for a charge of $5 per month. Please note that Paper Deposits must be done at National Bank only and the Merchant Rate is 2.25%.

New Membership Benefit!

PECCTAC has agreed to partner with PAYweb, an Online Payroll service, to offer our members great savings in payroll accounting fees. The comparative analysis between PAYweb and other payroll companies shows incredible savings. In addition, as a member of PECCTAC the signup fee is waived! For further information on PAYweb go to their website at www.payweb.ca. Be sure to say you are a member of PECCTAC to get this great offer.

The Romanow Report

A full copy of the Health Care Commission report is available at www.healthcarecommission.ca.

Check PECCTAC’s Website

This newsletter and all previous newsletters are posted on www.pecchamber.com

Coming Events

PECCTAC has been working with a number of people to offer off-season events. We are pleased to announce that on February 8th, 2003 The Prince Edward Arts Council will present at the Regent Theatre an evening of classical delights featuring the talents of bass-baritone Gidon Saks and dramatic soprano Celine Papizewska. It is intended the concerts will become another reason to visit and discover the many activities and businesses the “County” has to offer year-round. A committee of The Prince Edward Arts Council has been created to organize this and future classical events. If you and/or your business would like to participate or if you would like further information please contact Celine Papizewska at 393-5005.

R.S.T. Rates and the Hospitality Business

We reported to you in our summer newsletter the problems with the current RST rates as it relates to the hospitality business. The problem is the varying RST rates that must be calculated depending on what is sold and what package it is sold with. The rules are not only difficult to understand and create havoc to the business owner but in the end increases the cost of doing business.
Resulting from PECCTAC’s letters to the honourable Ernie Parsons, MPP and his letters to the Ministry of Finance, we have received a letter from the Finance Minister Janet Ecker stating our suggestion to harmonize the RST will be taken under advisement.
PECCTAC has arranged for a public meeting with the Ministry of Finance to explain and clarify the RST in March of 2003.

Welcome New Members!

Briar Fox Golf & Country Club
Robinson Charters
Allison’s
Peddlesden Wines Ltd.
Rock Manor B&B
Moore Holiday Suite