Provincial Red Tape Survey
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is soliciting businesses input about red tape in the province.
The Ontario government has committed to decreasing the red tape burden on business, but the majority of businesses across the province continue to be negatively impacted by obstructive government regulations.
The OCC will be preparing a policy report with suggestions to the government on how to better adapt regulations to the needs of business. A task force has come up with six guiding principles that bring attention to both the flaws with the existing system and how that system can be improved. These principles will provide the framework for the policy report.
Submit your suggestions.
GSCC hosts Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism
 On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, your chamber hosted a small, informal meeting with Rob Moore, the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism.
Sixteen members were invited. There was no agenda and everyone was encouraged to speak freely and share their challenges, opportunities, threats and ideas with Minister Moore.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce releases report calling on Canadian businesses to step up their global market share
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a report calling for businesses to act quickly to grab a share of the global market before they get left behind.
According to the report, entitled Canadian Businesses Go Global For Growth, projections suggest the global economic balance of power will continue to transition toward developing countries, and their share of global trade will increase further. These trends present new challenges and opportunities.
The report can be viewed here.
Parliamentary Budget Office releases report that shows only 24% of stimulus projects have been completed
The Parliamentary Budget Office says that more than $500 million earmarked for the federal stimulus program is in danger of being caught up in delays.
In his third report on the stimulus package, Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page suggested more than half a billion dollars from the $4-billion infrastructure stimulus fund might not be spent before the government cut-off date of March 31, 2011. Many projects got off to a late start or are dragging on longer than expected. Trends indicate the deadline won't be met and "a lapse of federal funds is likely," the report said. By the end of March, 24.5 per cent of stimulus projects had been completed - up from 17.3 per cent at the end of the previous December - and the value of completed work was $1.087 billion.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other municipal organizations have been urging the federal government to lighten up on its deadline. Ottawa has repeatedly said it won't. The federation argues that in many cases, projects aren't on schedule because of events beyond the control of municipalities and contractors.
Greater Sudbury has yet to hear if they will receive stimulus funding for one project: the Maley Drive Extension.
2010 Municipal Election
The GSCC is once again preparing for the upcoming municipal election.
As in years past, we will again host a mayoralty debate in the fall. The session will be open to the public and will feature a panel of three posing questions to the candidates.
Having said that, there will be a slight difference this year. We have decided to poll the ward candidates and post their responses to a variety of business questions.
Check back here in the coming weeks for more information.
Chamber accepting applications for its Mentorship Program
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce has launched a new service aimed at providing small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in the community an opportunity to access sector specific experience and advice.
The Business to Business Mentorship Program will match a skilled, experienced business person (mentor) with someone who is starting their business or who is considering expansion or new initiatives (mentee). The mentor will then provide limited assistance sharing their expertise, experience and advice. Individuals experienced in the following fields are available to act as mentors in the fields of accounting, finance, legal, marketing, advertising, human resource management and sales among others.
Mentees will complete application form to participate in the program and mentors will commit to provide one hour of consultation to the mentee at no charge for their services. Arrangements for any participation or commitment following the initial meeting are at the discretion of the two individuals.
Interested?
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(705) 673-7133
