January 2022 InTouch Magazine

JANUARY 2022

WITH BRANTFORD • BRANT

Chamber of Commerce Brantford • Brant

PAUL BISANTI

CHAMBER PRESIDENT 2022 READ MORE ABOUT PAUL AND HIS GOALS ON PAGE 5

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Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

PRESIDENT

Paul Bisanti

WITH BRANTFORD • BRANT

Lanca Contracting Ltd.

JANUARY 2022

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Chris Rayfield

Methapharm Inc./ ACIC Pharmaceuticals Inc. TREASURER

Jacinda Reitsma Conestoga College PAST PRESIDENT

Ken McNaughton,

McNaughton Agency Inc.

2022 Chamber President Paul Bisanti

DIRECTORS

Garnet Lasby

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New Members

Massilly North America Inc.

Trevor Rumble

The Marco Corporation

Eddy Vance

Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP

Partnering with a Non-Profit: A Win-Win

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Mike Yarek

Mike Yarek Dodge Chrysler Ltd.

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SECRETARY TO THE BOARD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

David Prang LIAISONS

Dan McCreary City of Brantford

Marc LaFerriere

Ask a Lawyer Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP

County of Brant

Michelle Giffin JCI Brantford

Financial Feature

Employment Contracts

David Prang

Editor-in-Chief

Greg Evans

Managing Editor

Leslie Barker

Events Coordinator

Olivia Hull

Administration & Communications Coordinator

Kathy Prymak

Accounting Coordinator

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Covid 19 Business Support Millards Chartered Professional Accountants

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is published six times a year by the Chamber of Commerce Brantford • Brant 77 Charlotte Street, Brantford, ON N3T 2W8 Phone: 519-753-2617 • Fax: 519-753-0921 www.brantfordbrantchamber.com Mandate: To be the voice of business that promotes economic growth and prosperity in our community.

Publication Agreement # 4076850

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Message from the CEO struggling under the challenges of the pandemic, the new calendar year brings optimism that although significant challenges remain in front of us, we have developed patience, ingenuity, creativity, and a resiliency to adapt and grow.

David Prang – CEO Welcome to 2022! While our local, provincial, and Canadian economies are still in uncertain and unprecedented situations, and many businesses are still

The Chamber begins 2022 with a new Board, updated Strategic Plan, a definitive focus on hybrid, accessible, and safe events, and a lens on our activities and actions to be innovative and responsive to our community.

Doing things the way we have always done them has some nostalgic value, but change and innovation are required to respond to the new business environment, and to attract and support the new and growing entrepreneurs in our community.

We will look forward to recognizing and celebrating our award nominees, winners, milestone members and significant anniversaries and celebrations of members this year, “pivoting” our events and activities to incorporate and respond to new technology, safety, and inclusivity priorities.

With the provincial and municipal elections this year, the Chamber as the Voice of Business is well positioned with our advocacy efforts and community leading election activities to advance your voice. Please reach out with your ideas!

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, our best wishes for a safe, robust, and successful 2022.

CHECK OUT ALL THE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO OUR MEMBERS! www.brantfordbrantchamber.com

Established in 1920

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Millard Rouse & Rosebrugh LLP 96 Nelson Street, Brantford Tel: (519) 759-3511

Partners: M.J. Dixon, CPA, CA • R.D. Sciannella CPA, CA, CBV • H.C. Johnston CPA, CA • S.E. Goodwin, CPA, CA T.B. Sinclair, CPA, CA • D.A. Cleary, CPA, CGA, CFI • S.D. Klein, CPA, CA • G.S. Gravett, CPA, CA • S.A. Salole, CPA, CA • J.B. Baetz, CPA, CA R.W. Storoschuk, CPA, CA • S.W. McGaghran, CPA, CA • J.E. Chowhan, CPA, CA • P.E. Merrylees, CPA, CA • J.A. Laporte, CPA, CA R.A. Parker, CPA, CGA, CFI • G.M. Malecki, CPA, CA • Q.E. Bateson-Hotte, CPA, CA Associates: B.Y. Brenneman, CPA, CA • C.J. Storoschuk, CPA, CA • K.B. Weames, CPA, CA • W.A. Deane, CPA, CA • D.E. Paxton, CPA, CA M.M. Malecki, CPA, CA • N.T. Nguyen, CPA, CA • S.C. Dykstra, CPA, CA • Wes E.B. Caldwell, CPA, CA

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January 2022

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

New Chamber President Strives for Thoughtful Evolution of Municipal Policies

Owen Portelli As we start 2022 with a list of goals to accomplish, resolutions to achieve and anticipation of a great year ahead, the promising new President of the Chamber, Mr. Paul Bisanti, works to establish his mandate for his term as President.

Mr. Bisanti will utilize his background and extensive experience in his role to benefit all members of the Chamber and

our Brant Community. Mr. Bisanti studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His initial jobs after university revolved around consulting on sustainability in major building projects across Ontario and further abroad in such areas as Quebec City, Halifax, Dubai, and Monaco, to name a few. He enjoyed the position and learned from it, yet he wanted a larger role in the projects he was dealing with, so he moved into architecture.

Fast forward to now, Mr. Bisanti works in construction and real estate development with Lanca Contracting Limited. Since joining Lanca, the company has seen huge growth across multiple sectors, including the creation of a new sector of business for Lanca; Mid-Rise Condominium Development, which Mr. Bisanti oversees. In this role, Mr. Bisanti manages the responsibility

of bringing large-scale condominium developments from early conceptual stages through to turning keys over to purchasers. Even after a short discussion with Mr. Bisanti, it is clear he is a hardworking individual who is passionate about his work.

Mr. Bisanti’s relationship with the Chamber started in 2018 when there was a call for nominations to the board which he eagerly pursued. He viewed the role on the Chamber board as a great opportunity to utilize his knowledge and experience to give back and support a great community that has done so much for him. Mr. Bisanti carries this pursuit over to his future role as President, as he has goals to make his time as the Chamber President very impactful. With >> Continue reading on page 19

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Membership Corner Greg Evans

Partnering with a Non-Profit: A Win-Win I’ll admit it – I’m a little nosy. I get secretly jealous when my friends get new cars, I hate when my neighbours’ lawns look nicer than mine (they… all look nicer than mine,) and I always read the Facebook comments on local news articles. I can’t help it.

My nosiness seeps in to my professional life too - but it can be helpful if I harness it properly. I love connecting with my colleagues at Chambers and other business groups throughout the province and across the country to see what they’re doing, how their communities handle similar obstacles to the ones we face, and what lessons I can learn from their businesses.

Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant now has available a special online Nonprofit Directory, providing a list of our nonprofit members and contacts for each organization – please take some time to look through it to recognize the hard and selfless work being done in our community and to find an organization who might be able to use another community partner.

One thing I’ve noticed in other communities is a very close relationship between businesses and nonprofit groups in their communities – as a Chamber member, it should be easy for those of us in business leadership positions to connect with our local nonprofits to help raise money, raise awareness, or volunteer with whatever is needed.

We’re lucky in Brantford-Brant to have an active and tenacious business community and a passionate collection of nonprofit groups; both of which contribute to our incredible sense of community.

When local businesses and nonprofits can collaborate at a grassroots level, it benefits everybody and makes our community stronger.

I’m pleased to announce that the

Membership Renewals ■ Membership Renewals September 30-November 30, 2021 ■ 48 North ■ Advantage Vinyl & Design (1994) Inc. ■ Alzheimer Society of Brant ■ Apogee Ceramics Inc. ■ Assante Capital Management Ltd./ Brant Financial Group ■ Atomic Spark ■ BDO Canada LLP ■ Bell City Carpet One ■ Big Smoke Burger Brantford ■ BML Multi Trades Group Ltd. ■ Body Balance Centre ■ Brandam Holdings Limited ■ Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation ■ Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board ■ Brant Overhead Door ■ Brant Skills Centre ■ Brant Waterways Foundation ■ BRANT.one ■ Brantford Hydro Inc. ■ Brantford Industrial Warehousing Ltd. ■ Brantford Power Inc. ■ Brantford Regional Real Estate Association ■ Brantford Toyota

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January 2022

■ Britain West Automotive Specialties Ltd. ■ BScene ■ D. A. Campbell Amusements Ltd. ■ Career Colleges Ontario ■ Carrier Truck Centers Inc. (Head Office) ■ The Children’s Safety Village of Brant ■ Christians For Israel Canada ■ CMBB Bakeware Canada Inc & Pan-Glo Canada Pan Coatings Inc. ■ Contact North | Contact Nord ■ CPR Cell Phone Repair (2509405 Ontario Ltd.) ■ Craig Wright Design ■ Creative Circuits Inc. ■ Crime Stoppers Brant-Brantford ■ D J Recreational Products ■ Dairy Delivery Co. (676720 Ont Inc.) ■ Datasym POS Inc. ■ Dragonfly Landscape Supply Inc. ■ Ed Doucet (Re/Max Twin City Realty Inc.) ■ The Electricians ■ Extend Communications ■ Farringdon Burial Ground ■ Rhonda Fawcett ■ Fen Industrial Inc. ■ Gates Canada Inc. ■ Goo’s Take Out & Catering

■ Grand River Council on Aging ■ Grandview Flour and Feed Company ■ Guru Training Centres Canada ■ Hale Packaging Solutions ■ Hawco Products Limited ■ Hewson Brothers Building Supply Inc. ■ Home Instead ■ Inspirational Hearts ■ Investors Group Financial Services Inc. ■ Joro Flowers ■ Ken Burns ■ Kingston Data and Credit ■ McKeough Supply Div. of Emco ■ Middelkoop Sheet Metal Ltd. ■ Montessori House of Children ■ Nu-u Float ■ OE Canada Inc. ■ The Olive Oil Co. ■ Optic House Inc. ■ Organized Kaos ■ PINPOINT LOCAL-Brant Internet Marketing Services ■ Pro-Fab Plastics Ltd. ■ The Q-META Group/Bellwether Investment Management ■ Queen Street Collision Centre ■ Remax Twin City Realty-Park Road North ■ Renway Energy Inc.

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

Welcome to Our New Members ■ Brant Sports Excellence Furniture & Equipment Owen Freeman (519) 209-2569 owen@brantsports.com 415 Fairview Dr. Brantford, ON ■ Breathe Rite Mechanical Contracting Inc. Heating & Cooling Contractors Chris Walsh (647) 339-0373 chris@brm.works 12 Manor Pl. Brantford, ON

■ Roots Marketing ■ Route 24 Auto ■ Rubberline Products Ltd. ■ Sacha Pinto - Branding & Social Media For Business ■ Serenity Country Candles ■ Services Unlimited ■ Spence Print Solutions ■ Staats Law Barristers And Solicitors ■ SVS Greenhouses ■ TDG Marketing Inc. ■ Tranquility Place Retirement Home ■ Translations Paris Traductions ■ TransNorth Ltd. ■ Waste Connections of Canada ■ Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP ■ West Brant Window World ■ Wilfrid Laurier University-Brantford Campus ■ William Street Eyecare ■ Winmar ■ Wireworks Electrical Ltd (ISO 9001: 2008 Registered) ■ Xplornet Enterprise Solutions ■ J. H. Young & Sons Ltd.

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■ Cambridge Pro Fab Steel Fabricators Matt Hunter (519) 751-4351 ext 128 mhunter@cambridgeprofab.com 84 Shaver St. Brantford, ON ■ Grand River Counselling Psychotherapy Laura Dowler (519) 751-9159 laura@grandrivercounselling.com 442 Grey St, Unit K Brantford, ON ■ Hudson Public Restaurants Daryl Daggett (519) 304-4568 info@hudsonpublic.ca 93 Dalhousie St. Brantford, ON ■ Iron Gate Group Building Contractors Jose Marques (519) 758-6323 jmarques@irongategroup.ca 101 Charing Cross St. Brantford, ON ■ Legends Taphouse & Grill Restaurants Bill Boirier (519) 302-7000 legendstaphouse@rogers.com 1084 Rest Acres Rd. Paris, ON

■ Magnetsigns Brantford Advertising - Outdoor Kris Habjan (519) 209-6693 brantfordon@magnetsigns.com Brantford, ON ■ Michel St. Pierre - Mortgage Agent Mortgage Brokers Michel St. Pierre (226) 920-5235 michel@boldmortgagegroup.com Brantford, ON ■ The Ontario Paranormal Society Social and Human Service Organizations Melissa Martin (519) 865-7330 paranor_mel@execulink.com Brantford, ON ■ Rocket Lube Oil Changes & Lubrication Service Manny Dhillon (519) 304-4404 rocketlubecanada@gmail.com 175 Lynden Rd, Unit C2 Brantford, ON ■ The Rope Factory Auditoriums & Halls Jamie Stephens (519) 805-2899 info@theropefactory.com 111 Sherwood Dr, Unit 27 Brantford, ON ■ Sutton Team Realty Inc. Melanie Mackay, Realtor Real Estate General Melanie Mackay (226) 922-9262 mmackay@sutton.com 2A Holiday Dr. Brantford, ON

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Interested in hosting a Business After Hours event? Dates still available for 2022! Email Leslie at leslie@brcc.ca for details.

January 2022

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Advocacy In 2022, the Chamber as the Voice of Business has significant opportunities to influence change in our community and province.

Locally, we have the municipal election in late October for the County of Brant and City of Brantford Councils. Transportation, progress on commercial and industrial tax ratios, housing, labour supply, skilled labour and education, confidence in development, and addressing the opioid crisis are among the issues that our municipal leadership will be tasked to address during the election process and the next term of each Council.

Provincially, early June brings the first election of the year. The Chamber is participating in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Policy Advisory Committee, leading into the AGM and Policy Convention in late April, in advance of the

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January 2022

campaign period in May. In addition, the Chamber has a couple of policy resolutions on the books for review, and a couple more in development for consideration.

We look forward to a very active and engaging provincial election process to establish the foundation for Ontario’s COVID-19 recovery efforts. Unique issues under consideration from a provincial lens will include confidence and certainty in development, infrastructure support, climate change, workforce development, and natural resource development.

On a national level, in response to the federal election and initial fiscal statement, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has three key areas of focus. First, Finishing the fight against COVID-19 through continued supports for the hardest hit sectors, the Canada Recovery Hiring Program, CEWs adjustments, and targeted supports to

areas experiencing further lockdowns.

Second, Getting the fundamentals right, which includes 18 priorities focused on SMEs, trade, tax reform, and inclusivity. Finally, Creating 21st Century

Opportunities, including digital transformation, the environment, international trade, natural resources, and health infrastructure.

Many of the above priorities may have specific impacts on your business, personal life, and/or priorities. Through the Chamber Network, your voice is amplified through the support of your membership and your voice and participation in polls, surveys, calls and emails. As the Chamber develops and enhances our outreach activities, please continue to engage and share your ideas about how to improve our region for business.

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

January 2022

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Member Profile Strong Start Oliver did not like to read. His parents would read to him every night, but he had no interest in words. “When we received his report card in Junior Kindergarten it said he recognized only 4 letters and 2 numbers. We were worried,” said Melanie, Oliver’s mom.

When Oliver’s parents received a permission letter for Oliver to participate Strong Start’s Letter, Sounds and Words program at his school they were not sure if it would work. “I looked it up online.

I saw all of the assessment results and thought, there is no way it’s going to make that much of a difference, but it did,” said Melanie.

Eight weeks after Oliver started the program, there was a breakthrough moment. The family was driving and Oliver saw a sign that said Bell Street. “That’s a B,” he shouted! His parents were amazed!

Strong Start is a registered Canadian charity that believes in changing children’s lives by helping them learn to read. One in four Canadian children who enter Grade 1 are significantly behind their peers and are poorly prepared to learn. The result is that children who are disadvantaged at school entry tend to fall further and further behind their peers as they progress through the school years (National Strategy for Early Learning Summary Report, 2009, p. 5). Letters, Sounds and Words catches children early before they become discouraged and disengage in school.

care costs and decreased involvement with the criminal justice system.

As for Oliver, his reading skills continue to get better and better. He reads words now and loves books. His confidence and self esteem have grown and he sees himself as a successful reader and that has made all the difference.

When we invest in children’s literacy we ultimately increase adult literacy levels.

Increased levels of literacy in adults results in economic benefits, such as greater high school graduation rates, lower poverty rates, decreased health

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January 2022

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Ask A Lawyer

Employment Contracts: Non-Competition vs. Non-Solicitation Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP by Courtney Boyd

Employments contracts commonly include non-solicitation and noncompetition clauses aimed at protecting an employer’s business by restricting an employee’s actions during and after their period of employment. These restrictive clauses are often used interchangeably, but they provide different protections to your business.

Recently, the Ontario government has amended the Employment Standards Act to prohibit non-competition clauses or agreements which aim to prevent competition with an employer’s business after the employment relationship ends.

These legislative changes are subject to exceptions for employees that are executives, such as CEOs. Employers will need to rely on nonsolicitation clauses or other restrictive clauses to safeguard their business interests after the cessation of employment.

What is the difference?

Non-competition clauses aim to prevent employees from engaging in other employment that is in competition with their employer’s business. In light of the legislative changes, employers will be allowed to prohibit an employee from competing with an employer’s business during employment, but not after.

Non-solicitation clauses aim to prevent employees from soliciting the clients or other employees from the employer for a specified period of time after the

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP Brantford, 20 Wellington St., Brantford.

employment relationship ends. These clauses can be crucial for businesses that are client-based. Employers should be aware that non-solicitation clauses are not forever as overly restrictive clauses will be unenforceable. More practically, these clauses provide a ban on solicitation of six to twelve (6-12) months after employment.

Quite often, non-solicitation or noncompetition clauses are coupled with a confidentiality clause. A confidentiality clause aims to prevent employees from discussing or disclosing any confidential information about the employer or its clients.

Takeaway for Employers Employers should consider the business interests they seek to protect during and after an employee’s period of

employment and what restrictive clauses in the employment contract could protect these interests.

The inclusion of restrictive clauses can be crucial to avoiding the loss of clientele and keeping your client and business information safe from disclosure to third parties.

In preparing employment contracts, employers should be aware of the limitations placed on the enforceability of restrictive clauses and which clauses are permissible.

If your business is considering the inclusion of non-competition, nonsolicitation, and/or confidentiality clauses in its employment contracts or need to update your contracts to align with the new legislative changes, the lawyers at Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP have the expertise to advise and assist.

January 2022

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LIVE SUPPORT RECOVER AMPLIFY LOVE

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January 2022

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

#shoplocalbrantfordbrant Local businesses were there for us during the dark months of the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Now, it's up to us to return the favour.

This fall, The Chamber of Commerce BrantfordBrant kicked off its firstever Shop Local program, encouraging the City of Brantford and the County of Brant to support their local businesses this holiday season.

“We’re so fortunate in the County of Brant and in the City of Brantford to have such a strong sense of community."

"We're so fortunate in the County of Brant and in the City of Brantford to have such a strong sense of community," remarks Greg Evans, Business Development Coordinator at the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant.

"Everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed; shopping locally and spending at local businesses this

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

holiday season is just one of the ways local residents can help their friends and neighbours.

Brantford-Brant is a special place full of hardworking people and incredible businesses.

We’re stronger when we work together and support each other."

From mid-October through late January, the Chamber is offering a selection of marketing initiatives designed to bring attention to local holiday shopping, rather than visiting big box stores or leaving town to seek our large shopping centers.

Brantford-Brant businesses have quite a few options to participate in the Shop Local program; social media shout-outs in connection with their category of work, company spotlights, testimonials, short videos, and much more to drive engagement to their brand.

To learn more about Shop Local and view the work we've completed so far, visit our website or follow us on Instagram at chamber.brantford.brant.

If you have questions about how you can get involved, please contact olivia@brcc.ca.

January 2022

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Member Profile Infinum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Established in 2016, Infinum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is Brantford’s only dedicated BJJ academy. Since its humble beginning, Infinum BJJ has grown to over 100 members from around Brant and beyond. Infinum focuses on taking complete beginners and giving them the environment and focused coaching necessary to realize their potential. Jiu jitsu focuses on grappling and leverage to control a dangerous situation. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and since opening in Brantford, the city has welcomed the program with an amazing community and opportunities for growth.

most efficient for self-defence, it is the benefits that members take into their day-to-day lives that keep them coming back.

The positive community of people trying to better themselves uplifts and motivates members. From members losing upward of 70lbs to physicians reducing their medications for both chronic physical and mental illness, the “jiu jitsu lifestyle” is transforming the community one member at a time. Infinum has had the pleasure of teaching members from the age of 3 to well into their 50s and is accepting new members. For more information, reach Infinum through www.infinumbjj.com

A black belt under PJ O Sullivan, Eric’s passion lies not only increasing the skill of his students but improving their overall livelihood. Having trained in other martial arts, nothing compared to the community, confidence, and capabilities he cultivated in BJJ. It was the ability to handle conflict, live a healthier life, and have a foundation of character that drew him to sharing the art with others. There simply weren’t that many academies 10 years ago, and almost no opportunities for kids to learn the lessons that changed his life.

Ask a dozen different people why they train jiu jitsu and you will get a dozen different answers. Although BJJ is among the

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January 2022

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

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Financial Feature

COVID-19 - Changes to Business Support Programs Millards Chartered Professional Accountants remuneration paid to eligible employees, starting October 24, 2021. This extension continues to use the existing baseline period of March 14 to April 10, 2021 to calculate the incremental remuneration.

Pam Merrylees, CPA, CA, LPA

As most of us say goodbye to the wage and rent subsidies (CEWS and CERS) that we have utilized throughout this pandemic, this is not the end for all business support programs.

The government has recognized that some businesses and industries are still struggling, and in October 2021, Finance announced an extension and revision to the current CHRP program and introduced some new programs to support businesses still affected by the pandemic.

The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP) has been extended until May 7, 2022. Eligible employers experiencing current revenue losses above 10% will be able to receive an increased subsidy rate of 50% on the incremental

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) is intended to provide both wage and rent subsidy support to certain organizations in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as hotels, travel agencies and restaurants. Qualifying businesses must have a current month revenue reduction of at least 40% and an average monthly revenue reduction of at least 40% over the first 13 qualifying periods of the CEWS. Under the THRP, eligible businesses could receive wage and rent subsidies up to 75% from October 24, 2021 to March 12, 2022. From March 13 to May 7, 2022, the subsidy rate is reduced by half.

The Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP) also provides both wage and rent support to organizations not eligible for the THRP. Qualifying businesses must have a current month revenue reduction of at least 50% and an average monthly revenue reduction of at least 50% over the first 13 qualifying periods of the CEWS. Although the calculation of the subsidy rate is slightly more complex than under the THRP, eligible businesses could receive wage and rent subsidies up to 50% from October 24, 2021 to March 12, 2022. From March 13 to May 7, 2022, the subsidy rate is reduced by half.

The Public Health Lockdown Support is available to businesses in any industry that are subject to qualifying public health restrictions for at least seven days in the current claim period. Qualifying public health restrictions are restrictions that cause the business to cease activities that accounted for at least 25% of their total revenue during the prior reference period. The subsidy rates under this program are the same rates available under the THRP. Finally, Finance has increased the aggregate monthly cap on eligible expenses that can be claimed under CERS from $300,000 to $1 million in total for all locations starting October 24, 2021. This will be available for businesses that are eligible to claim the rent subsidy under the THRP or HHBRP. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us at Millards at (519)759-3511 or visit us at www.millards.com Information included in this article is based on announcements issued by Finance as at November 25, 2021. Particulars of these programs may change prior to final enactment

by Finance.

January 2022

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Member Profile MEA Health Corporation The Covid 19 pandemic brought many changes to our lives. One change is the increased demand for PPE as the public have been required to wear masks when we had not needed to before. This brought with it a challenge that few people considered – what do we do with all the disposable masks?

We have all seen them. Discarded single-use masks litter our streets and our parks. Perhaps you are concerned seeing garbage cans fill up with mask. MEA Health recognized the impact this would put on our landfills and our environment and set out to create a solution.

Focused on creating a circular economy, MEA Health is proud to partner with local businesses and institutes to help alleviate the problem with discarded PPE. With offices in Brantford and Kitchener, and looking to expand to Cambridge, MEA Health is grateful for the opportunity to serve Brantford and the local surroundings. For more information on MEA Health, please visit our website at www.meahealth.ca

MEA Health provides companies with boxes to collect discarded disposable PPE. When the boxes are full, they are returned to the MEA warehouse. MEA Health has pioneered innovative technology to disinfect, disassemble, and shred the PPE waste. The shredded material is a valuable product for plastic manufacturers who can turn this material into plastic pellets.

These pellets are used to create items for household use like blue bins or watering cans, or medical items such as bedpans or even a cloth material that can be used to make new PPE products.

14th Annual MP & MPP Breakfast Friday, February 25th, 2022 Best Western Brantford Hotel and Conference Centre Registration and Coffee at 7:30 am Plated Breakfast at 8:00 am

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January 2022

MPP Will Bouma

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

<< Continued from page 5 his knowledge in real estate development, he hopes to support policies that will steer the community towards the better.

Specifically, Mr. Bisanti notes that he is looking to play a role in the “thoughtful evolution of policy at the municipal level”, which he believes is the most impactful level of government in the day-to-day lives of most Canadians.

When asked about advice that he has for young people in business starting out, Mr. Bisanti stated that it is “very important to try and understand what drives value for the organization you are working for. Whether it is a not for profit or a large corporation, understanding what drives value allows you to focus your priorities.” Mr. Bisanti has determined the value priorities for the Chamber as he embarks on his term as President during a critical time with many issues facing our business community.

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

January 2022

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January 2022

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

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Brantford Toyota donates a portion of all vehicle sales to Brantford community and mumerous charities included: The Shoebox Foundation, Brantford Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club of Brantford, Skip Burst and more (see our website for details).

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Completely awesome.

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Enjoy pure fibre Internet, the world’s fastest Internet technology, and Fibe TV, the best TV service, in an amazing bundle.

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During COVID-19, health and safety measures are in place to protect our customers and employees.

For expert advice, an incredible selection and to verify availability, visit:

BRANTFORD Sobeys Plaza West Brant 519 756-9100

BRANTFORD Lynden Park Mall 519 756-6742

Current as of July 27, 2021. Available to new customers in Ontario, where access and technology permit. The BELL and FIBE trademarks are owned by Bell Canada.

Visit us at brantfordbrantchamber.com

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