September 2015 Inside this issue: GM’s Report Member Spotlight New Members Events Calendar Business Achievement Workforce Development Recommended Reading
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Putting Business into the Election
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ow that summer has come to a close, we’re all back to reality and back to business. One of the most important things on our desk at the Chamber is the calling of the Federal Election for October 19. Election time is when the Chamber really has a chance to shine. It is our responsibility to put Business into the election; ensuring that our federal candidates know the issues that are important to our continued success. It’s not a secret to those close to the Chamber movement that the success of business is directly tied to the health of the broader community and it’s residents. We at the Chamber recognize this and will put our key issues in front of those vying to be our next Member of Parliament. It’s been a continued theme from our last Business Climate survey, through today that our businesses struggle to hire the skilled workers that are required in their organizations. In partner with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we’re asking that the federal parties commit to addressing the serious processing issues and the inflexible features of the Temporary Foreign
Worker Program that is negatively affecting some of our largest employers access to workers and ensuring that immigration changes stop unduly limiting employers access to the international talent that they need to operate at full capacity. The issue of access to a skilled, knowledgeable and powerful workforce for the industries that drive our local economy is of major importance to keeping commerce alive and well here in Brandon. We call on all political parties to take notice of the employment problems our businesses are facing, and
“take notice of the employment problems our businesses are facing” will continue to face in the near future and announce innovative plans to tackle these challenges head-on in their respective platforms.
Jordan Ludwig, Chamber President Our members see the importance of balanced budgets at the federal level, but we need to temper this expectation with the major strategic investments in infrastructure that are required to compete not only domestically, but on the world stage. We, as a country, cannot afford to lag behind those that are investing in telecommunications, transit and transport, and utilities which pave the way to commerce. We’ve seen considerable commitments to Brandon and Westman recently, including the expansion of the Daly Overpass, the McGill Airfield/Brandon Airport expansion, and the Business Innovation Zone at BU. We look to the candidates to prioritize strategic investments in key infrastructure that show economic benefit to the local (Continued on page 6)