January 2017 Inside this issue: Mid-Year Review Member Spotlight Events Review SME Resources Workforce Development Get Others Involved
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Advocating for Prosperity
H
appy New Year! I hope like me, you are optimistic about the opportunities ahead for Brandon and southwestern Manitoba. RBC Economics’ December 2016 report has Manitoba tops in Canada for GDP growth with strengths in construction, manufacturing and agriculture. So while expectations are high for Manitoba, we need to continue to work with the City, Brandon School Division and Provincial Government to ensure that Brandon earns our portion of that growth.
At this time of year, we also need to work with the City and the Brandon School Division on ensuring that these organizations work hard to limit tax increases. Like Manitoba Personal Taxes, residential property taxes are amongst the highest in Canada and indications are that we are going to see increases beyond the levels of inflation from both the City and Brandon School Division.
As our Civic Leaders and School Trustees deliberate on spending decisions, we believe they need to make the tough choices on priorities with programs, services and capital This means the Chamber continues investments as they collaborate and to advocate for an evaluate budgets for environment easy to 2017. We do business in. understand the “they need Working with the City challenges of an to make the on reducing “Red operating Tape” and environment in tough encouraging today’s world with choices on collaboration on the significant and implementation of increasing portions priorities ” development charges of budgets being will be key to driving allocated to staff growth in our community in the next costs, Federal and Provincial funding few months. changes, costs of technology, and
Terry Burgess, Chamber President
unfortunately, the cost of growth! With the recent “musings” by Premier Pallister about labour costs and the private sector seeing only slight increases in wages (1.25%1.5%), we believe the City and BSD need to carefully evaluate all employee costs from a similar market based view. In addition, our members continue to voice opinions on the value of the service outcomes they are receiving. We encourage the leaders to hold their administration accountable for not only the costs of the services but the quality of services or outcomes provided. The process of measuring outcomes like graduates entering Secondary Schools, rankings on (Continued on page 6)