From Here to There

It was March 1st, 1993, and my first day as an employee of the radio stations in town. The first time I pulled into the parking lot at 571 West Street, I had the sense that I was about to embark on a grand adventure, but very little idea of just how much of an adventure it was going to be. If you had asked me back then if I could picture myself pulling into the exact same parking lot on a daily basis more than 30 years later, the answer would have been ‘no’.

There have certainly been a lot of changes since I was that 24 year-old at the beginning of my career. Back then, Arnold Anderson and I would chat every morning when I passed his office on the way to my own. There was a seven-person newsroom staff with the likes of Murray Moffatt, Bob Greenfield, and Tim Symons on deck. Ed McMahon was the ‘Mayor of the Morning’ on CKPC AM, and David Georgeff had his wildly-popular ‘Sunday Morning Oldies’ Show & Kevin Rolph anchored the ‘Saturday Night Memories’ Show on CKPC FM (now known as Lite 92).

It’s not a secret that the building and land on West Street have been sold. The idea of going to work in a location other than that particular spot is still rather foreign to me. I’m certain that after we move into a new building sometime during the next year, I’m still going to somehow end up turning into the parking lot on occasion.

I’m going to miss the old place. The Ghosts of Coworkers Past are ever present, and I swear that I see Mr. Buchanan (the former owner) still wandering its hallways on occasion.

CKPC is marking 100 years of broadcasting this year, and in future editions of In Touch, I’ll share some of those stories with you. After all, as we move towards Brantford-Brant

County’s promising future together, honouring and remembering the past helps to make our journey there that much more meaningful. Here’s to the next chapter (in more ways than one)!

I

Joanne Sparrow Offers HR Advisory Services and Emerging Leader Training

Imoved to Brantford in August of 2022. What a time to try to meet locals!

Since joining the Chamber a few months ago, I’m thrilled to have met so many great business owners and entrepreneurs in the community.

A recent corporate dropout, I chose to set myself up as an independent consultant, taking 20-plus years of human resources experience to serve clients who have little to no HR function.

I offer Human Resource Advisory services to business leaders and training for emerging leaders (people managers). I am a strategic Human Resources Executive and Certified Coach. I build and execute programs and services that drive people and businesses forward. Show me the data!

I am an out-of-the-box thinker, who can problem-solve efficiently; always in pursuit of the truth, continually looking to do things better – driving efficiencies and best practices. Committed to lifelong learning. Offering fractional services and new leaders’ training

*Emerging Leaders Operating System*

I am a Certified Human Resource Leader; Certified Payroll Manager, Certified Coach, and GENOS Emotional Intelligence Practitioner.

In my spare time, I enjoy floating down the Grand River on my SUP board. I do my best to take in the fresh air by hiking and long walks with my chihuahua Ava.

FUN FACT: I earned my PPL wings with the Hamilton Flying Club - YHM in 2004.

Visit: www.joannesparrow.com

Book a call: 289/259-6536 joanne.sparrow.hr I

< Continued from Page 8

Budget Season: What the new Federal and Provincial budgets mean for local business Contd.

Additional investment in Labour Market Transfer Agreements, and over $4 Billion (over 7 years) for an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, are also key investments. Provincially, “Building a Strong Ontario” was released by the provincial government on March 23rd.

Notably, the document supports greater productivity and workforce development, and was immediately followed up by the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023, continuing the Ford government’s notable efforts to reduce the cost of doing business by dedicating a Minister to the task, and introducing 42 new measures in April.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program sees a further investment of $25 Million over three years to attract more skilled workers to Ontario. Of note, Brantford is a target area for a portion of this project, targeting Entrepreneurs. The OINP –Entrepreneur Success Initiative seeks to identify prospective immigrant entrepreneurs to either create or buy existing businesses in Ontario. The Chamber is working with local partners, including the Brantford Immigration Partnership, to raise awareness of this opportunity. Please reach out the Chamber if you are aware of opportunities or prospects.

The budget also supports young and diverse entrepreneurs, and an expansion of the small business Corporate Income Tax, and, in another policy win for the Chamber, $202 Million over three years for the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program. I