May 2024 InTouch Magazine

Building Futures

Inside the Campaigns to Win Over Gen Z

Cover photo: Conestoga student Morgan Racz works on a heavy equipment battery as part of the Agriculture Equipment Operator program.

Message from the CEO

Chamber Champions Skilled Trades: Promoting Pathways and Partnerships for Future Success

In our May 2023 issue of InTouch, we focused on Mental Health, aligning with the Chamber Network’s policy work on Homelessness, Addictions, and Mental Health, and our working relationship with the Brant County Health Unit. This May, the Chamber is delighted to feature Skilled Trades.

The Chamber is an inaugural member of the Skilled Trades Alliance (STA) in Brantford-Brant, building from our over 40 years of convening our Education Committee and engaging in the promotion, awareness, and connection of our employer base to the community. The STA specifically engages students, parents, educators, promotors, employers, and leaders in developing awareness of the benefits of and pathways to participation in the skilled trades, and the supports available to employers and participants for training and partnerships.

We are proud of our events management partnership with Workforce Synergy, part of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie. This month, we are delighted to present, in partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board and Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, the Job Talks event with the engaging Dr. Jon Callegher, featuring Five Ways to Support Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship programming on Wednesday, May 22, as part of the Epic Jobs event the same day at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

Please join the Chamber for lunch as an employer, parent, or partner

in the development of pathways to, and awareness of, the skilled trades and apprenticeships. Dr. Callegher’s work is also applicable to working with the Generation Z and Millennial demographic cohorts, and understanding their emotions, personality traits, core values and

Title Sponsor:

employment needs. All employers looking to attract and retain younger talent will find Dr. Callegher’s insights valuable to their workplace.

The Chamber’s Education Committee –now over 40 years old! - regularly discusses how the skilled trades form part of our education and training community, and how each of our partners are working to improve how they are meeting the needs of today’s business community. The Chamber is also pleased to work with external stakeholders such as ApprenticeSearch. com, designed for post-high school entrants, and our friends at the OYAP programs in our high schools, and at Six Nations Polytechnic, among our other skills training partners.

Connect with the Chamber to share how your organization is meeting today’s challenges to recruit and retain employees in the skilled trades.

57th ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAM ENT

TUESDAY, JUNE 4th, 2024 § 12:30 P.M. SHOT GUN START WALTER GRETZKY MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

Includes your round of golf, GPS power golf cart, lunch, dinner, putting contest, golfer goodie bag and golfer prize. If you are interested in sponsoring a hole or contributing to the golfer goodie bag, please contact greg@chamberbrantfordbrant.com

David Prang

BRANTFORD 2050: Mapping our path forward together

MAYOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS

Hosted by Mayor Kevin Davis

Date: Wednesday, June 26

Time: 6:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Register at: Chamberbrantfordbrant.com

The local business community is invited to attend a formal breakfast with Mayor Kevin Davis to learn about the current economic landscape of Brantford. This event will provide a comprehensive overview of the City’s recent initiatives and the exciting opportunities on the horizon.

Member Profile Participation Support Services

Empowering Independence for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

Participation Support Services is a charitable non-profit organization funded by Ontario Health to provide supports and services to individuals with a physical disability, complex health needs, and seniors within the Brant/Brantford and Norfolk County.

Participation Support Services works in partnership with the local health care system to ensure people live as independently as possible, in their own homes, through a variety of services offering Personal Support Worker assistance.

Customized Insurance Coverage

That Works for You

Our services include: Supportive Housing, which provides 24-hour care in our three locations, 10 Bell Lane, 255 Colborne Street, and Stedman House, to people with physical disabilities and seniors who require more intense care.

Transitional Care is provided to individuals who are being discharged from hospital and cannot return home while waiting for placement in longterm care or other care facility.

Outreach Attendant Care is provided to individuals with a physical disability or complex health care needs living in their own home and who require personal support services daily. Assistance is provided with getting in and out of bed, bathing, and other routines of daily living that the person or their caregiver cannot provide.

Assisted Living for High-Risk Seniors is provided to seniors living in their own home and who require

personal support for bathing, getting in and out of bed safely, support with medications, and reassurance checks. The community PSW Support program offers visits once or twice a week to provide support for bathing or other activities where falls may be a risk.

Let’s Go Home (LEGHO) offers support to individuals who go to the emergency room or are in a hospitalized bed but do not require hospital care. LEGHO provides transportation home from the hospital and to and from followup doctor appointments, meals on wheels, and housekeeping support for 4-6 weeks after hospitalization until the individual has recovered well enough to manage these needs on their own. There is no charge for the services provided by Participation Support Services.

For more information or support please contact us at skerr@pssbrantford.org I

Cowan Insurance Group takes the time to understand your needs and build an integrated solution tailored to you.

care about what you care about cowangroup.ca

Membership Renewals

n Advantage Group

n Air Liquide Canada (formerly Mohawk Welding Supply)

n Anytime Fitness-Brantford

n Ardency Corporation

n Asacert Assessment & CertificationAmericas Division

n Aspire Bakeries B.C. ULC

n Balram’s Immigration Consultancy

n Beattie Animal Hospital

n BML Roofing Systems Inc.

n Brant County Federation of Agriculture

n Brant Mutual Insurance Company

n The Brantford Club

n Brantford Home Builders Association

n Bucket Sign & Lighting Service Inc.

n D. A. Campbell Amusements Ltd.

n Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services

n Copetown Woods Golf Club

n Coudenys Management Systems Inc.

n Cowan Insurance Group Ltd.

n Crabby Joe’s Bar & Grill

n Dan the Window Man Ltd

n Desjardins Insurance - Andrew Schwalm, Agent

n Document Imaging Partners

n DQ Brant

n Dr. Betty-Anne Story

n Easton Mechanical Contracting Limited

n Forest of Flowers-Brantford

n Full Frame Signs Limited

n Grand River Bean Inc.

n Greenview Mechanical Inc

n Guru Training Centres Canada

n Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brantford

n Hooton Pools & Spas

n Horseshoe Tax & Bookkeeping Services

n IDS Inc - Integrated Digital Solutions

n Incor Enterprises Inc.

n J T Auto Repair

n JB Construction Management Corp./ J.B. Landscape Construction Ltd

n Kiwanis Club of Brantford

n Krivi Holdings Ltd.

n Le Chocolat du Savoie Inc.

n Mark’s Work Wearhouse

n Millards Chartered Professional Accountants

n MMMC Architects

n Modern Waste Products Inc./BINPAK Compactors

n Myra’s Bar & Grill

n Oak House Benefits Inc

n Orlando Corporation

n Participation Support Services

n Perry’s Elite Services

n Photohouse Studio

n Pioneer Family Pools

n Paules Wet Side Boiler Services Ltd. (PWBS)

n RBC Commercial Banking Centre

n RBL Services

n Remax Twin City Realty-Park Road North

n Rick Sopko Chartered Accountant

n Robertson Restoration

n RV Parts Plus

n Scotiabank - Lynden Road

n Sexual Assault Centre

n Six Nations Polytechnic

n South Coast Financial Services Inc.

n Southwest Safety & Supply

n STM Construction Ltd.

n Strong Start to Reading

n TDG Marketing Inc.

n TK Liquidation and Auction

n Tranquility Place Retirement Home

n University of Waterloo - Co-operative Education & Career Action

n W.A. Maguire Sales Ltd.

n The Water Bar

n Woodburn Insurance & Consulting

n Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie/Workforce Synergy

n YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/ Brantford

Learn more about the Chamber’s

Contact David at

Membership Corner

Reflecting on Brantford’s Humble Beginnings to Skilled Trades Success

Afew months ago while discussing the Chamber’s continued growth and demographic shift with a new business owner, it occurred to me that the region’s very earliest business professionals would be amazed to see what Brantford and the County of Brant’s economic climate looks like today.

Rewind to 1866, when a visionary group of local entrepreneurs founded the Brantford Board of Trade – an organization with a mission to unite businesses. Already, the area had seen massive change in just a few decades; as the first Board of Trade President Ignatius Cockshutt described Brantford in the 1830s, “It was not much of a place; in fact simply a through road with a few houses where Colborne Street is now.”

This group was the genesis of what has now become the city’s cornerstone for economic collaboration.

The Board of Trade emerged as the orchestrator of events that not only facilitated business but also added an element of festivity. Market fairs and unique mixers became the norm, and the Board of Trade demonstrated a commitment to injecting enthusiasm into the serious business landscape. In 1867, the Brantford Board of Trade assisted with the formation of the Grand River Transportation Co. to promote the export of goods up and down the river. Soon after, the focus became on rail transportation and members of the Board of Trade were the first call made by business and government leaders for advice and

guidance when it came to trade policy, land development, and taxation.

As time progressed, the Board of Trade officially transformed into the Chamber of Commerce in 1927.

Throughout the 20th century, the Chamber adapted to the evolving economic landscape; from post-war economic booms to late-century technological revolutions, the Chamber ensured that BrantfordBrant’s businesses remained resilient and innovative.

Fast forward to today, and the Chamber of Commerce BrantfordBrant is proud to stand as a testament to resilience. Our annual events, once characterized by market fairs, have evolved into essential gatherings where we can both laugh and have serious discussions about the city’s economic future. The Chamber has become a symbol of tenacity and a steady commitment to fostering growth.

As we reflect on Brantford-Brant’s business history, we should all be proud of over a century and a half of resilience, prosperity, and dedication to the community’s economic well-being. Each and every Chamber member and Brantford-Brant business leader has contributed to this success and will continue to be the backbone of the economic vitality throughout the City, the County, and Six Nations.

Greg Evans

M.J. Dixon, CPA, CA

•D.A. Cleary, CPA, CGA, CFI

•J.B. Baetz, CPA, CA

PARTNERS:

• H.C. Johnston CPA, CA

• S.D. Klein, CPA, CA

• R.W. Storoschuk, CPA, CA

•P.E. Merrylees, CPA, CA

• J.A. Laporte, CPA, CA

• S.E. Goodwin, CPA, CA

• G.S. Gravett, CPA, CA

• S.W. McGaghran, CPA, CA

• R.A. Parker, CPA, CGA, CFI

•Q.E. Bateson-Hotte, CPA, CA, LPA

B.Y. Brenneman, CPA, CA

•M.M. Malecki, CPA CA

ASSOCIATES:

• C.J. Storoschuk, CPA, CA

• N.T. Nguyen, CPA CA

• S.A. Salole, CPA, CA

• J.E. Chowhan, CPA, CA

• G.M. Malecki, CPA, CA

• W.A. Deane, CPA, CA

• K.B. Weames, CPA, CA • D.E. Paxton, CPA, CA

• S.C. Dykstra, CPA CA

• Wes. E.B. Caldwell, CPA CA

• T.W. Schein, CPA, CA

Government Savings Programs

The CRA has many tax saving programs to help save for your retirement and your first time home. Below are some of the different types of savings programs that may benefit you.

A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is a savings account, registered with the Canadian government, that you contribute to for retirement purposes. Contributions to RRSP’s are tax-deductible, meaning that they can be deducted on your current year tax return. Any investment income you earn in the RRSP is usually tax-exempt as long as the funds remain in the plan.

Spousal RRSP’s allow the higher income spouse to contribute to the lower income spouse’s RRSP for future tax planning purposes. The amount you can contribute is limited to the contributing spouses RRSP limit. Caution- any withdrawals from the spousal RRSP within three years of the last spousal contribution will be taxable to the original contributing taxpayer.

The Home Buyers Plan (HBP) is a government program that allows you to withdraw from your RRSP, or other registered plan to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or for a specified disabled person. HBP withdrawals are limit is $35,000 as of April 5, 2024.

Repayment of your HBP withdrawal starts the second year after your first HBP withdrawal. You have up to 15 years to repay the amount you withdrew from your RRSP under the HBP.

A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a new registered plan which allows you, if you are a first-time home buyer, to save money to buy or build a qualifying first home tax-free . Your FHSA participation room starts when you open the registered account. You can contribute up to $8,000 per year (to a maximum lifetime limit of $40,000) and it is deductible on your personal income tax return similar to RRSP contributions. It is important to note that transfers from your RRSPs to your FHSAs are not deductible. You can carry forward a maximum of $8,000 of unused FHSA participation room at the end of the year to use in the following year in addition to that year’s participation room. Any investment income earned in your FHSA will not impact your unused FHSA participation room.

If you meet all of the qualifying withdrawal conditions when it comes time to purchasing your first home, you

can withdraw all of the property from your FHSAs tax-free and will not have to repay the qualifying withdrawals. If there are funds remaining in your FHSA after your home purchase, you can make a direct transfer to your RRSP, tax free.

A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is another government program which began in 2009 for individuals who are 18 years of age or older to set money aside tax-free throughout their lifetime. Like the FHSA, you can contribute to a TFSA up to a certain limit per year. The 2024 limit is $7,000. However, unlike an FHSA and RRSP, contributions to a TFSA are not deductible for income tax purposes. Any contributions as well as any income earned in the account is generally tax-free even when it is withdrawn.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us at Millard’s at (519)759-3511 or visit us at: www.millards.com I

Skylar Turkiewicz-DaBreo, CPA Tax Manager

Attracting Young Workers to the Skilled Trades

By Georgia York

Within the trades, the labour market gap is growing bigger – and companies and employers have been switching up their strategies to intrigue the next generation.

The lack of interest in the trades can be attributed to many factors; an aging population, declining birth rates, and the shift to remote work.

According to Statistics Canada, there is concern that the supply of workers in the trades will not keep up with the demand of the economy.

Danette Dalton, Executive Director at the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie, sees obvious benefits in growing the skilled trades talent pool and ways to attract young workers down the trades path.

“The trades, it’s different, it leaves you with a sense of pride. [A] good quality of life, great wages, and it certainly allows you to have a life outside of work,” said Dalton.

WPBGE started out as a research type organization, specifically with respect to the labour market and workforce

development. They are the leading experts within the Grand Erie area, covering the City of Brantford, County of Brant, Six Nations, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County.

To help increase the influx of young workers, the Workforce Planning Board has created a program called Skills2Advance. Their goal is to develop a successful and resilient workforce for the communities they serve.

The program also offers free skills training for high paying, in-demand jobs. The focus of this year’s program is mechatronics, which will be an

intensive program focusing on the mechanical engineering side of electrical engineering. Canada’s mechatronics industry is considered to be behind that of other comparable nations, so the WPBGE has high hopes for the program.

“We’ve put a program together that will help people to get an understanding of mechatronics in the hopes that it will be attractive to employers,” said Dalton.

According to the Workforce Planning board, companies have now started tweaking schedules to give employees

‘‘

more flexibility in their lives.

Dalton refers to an Angus Reid poll that was completed asking employees how their lives are. The results came back with most being grateful for a house over their heads but also the same amount saying they were exhausted.

“It’s a critical skill for job seekers and employers to be able to manage expectations effectively; the employers need to sit down and say, ‘what can we do differently here with our shift schedule and our shift patterns?”,” said Dalton.

The approaches companies seem to

We’re actively running dual credit programs in conjunction with the local school boards and students that participate in those get an introduction to various trades.’’

Adam Davies, RSE Chair. School of Trades and Apprenticeship, Conestoga College.

local school boards and students that participate in those get an introduction to various trades,” said Davies.

Youth are able to achieve a high school credit and a college credit at the same time, which makes this program highly successful.

“One of the biggest challenges is that they don’t always know what the work within the trades includes,” said Davies. “People think of a plumber, a carpenter, an electrician - but some of the other trades like diesel technicians or refrigeration mechanics, [students] may not be as familiar with.”

be taking are ones that help their employees live more balanced lives and ones to help attract more youth into the trades.

In the post-secondary world, Conestoga College has been running impressive programs in Brantford encouraging better lives for students.

Adam Davies, RSE Chair at the School of Trades and Apprenticeship within Conestoga College, shared his views on the issues the market is facing and what the school is doing to help.

“We’re actively running dual credit programs in conjunction with the

While the college develops creative programs, they also run trades awareness events targeted specifically at women, highlighting opportunities historically not pursued by female students.

The trades labour market gap may seem large, but Davies thinks employers are adapting to the changes for a better future.

“I think employers are looking for experienced people and one of the challenges they’re going to have to realise is that the experienced workforce is retiring, and you have to be willing to invest into the younger people and the first-year apprentices.”

Ask a Lawyer Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP

Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning

With the growing popularity of decentralized currency, “cryptocurrencies” have become a more common investment in the portfolio of Ontario investors. However, while cryptocurrencies are quickly becoming more available to consumers, regulators and law-makers have been slower to address and make provision for cryptocurrencies in legislation. As a result, it is unclear how cryptocurrencies engage with Ontario’s current legal framework. One pressing issue arises when analyzing how cryptocurrency is addressed from an estate planning perspective.

When planning their estate individuals may create a will which outlines how they wish for their assets to be distributed and to whom once the drafter has died. Wills commonly address the major assets an individual may own at the time of death, including real property, personal property, vehicles, financial assets and investments.

Cryptocurrency presents an interesting problem for estate planning. While other assets such as a home, vehicle or a bank account, tend to be associated with a centralized institution such as the Land Registry Office, the Ministry of Transportation, or a bank, which can give instructions and assist in the distribution of assets - cryptocurrencies have no similar avenue.

Typically, cryptocurrencies are maintained and controlled through a virtual wallet, of which only the owner

has the account name and password. Without the account name and password, it can be impossible for the executor, next of kin, or beneficiaries to access the deceased’s virtual wallet and by extension, the value of their cryptocurrency.

Unlike standard investments or financial assets, there is no central institution which can be contacted to obtain the relevant passwords. There is no crypto-equivalent to a branch manager who can pass along the deceased’s information to the estate department of that particular bank. By the very nature of cryptocurrency, only the owner has control over the currencies. Therefore, once the deceased has passed, if no other individual has their password, it is possible that their assets simple die with them. Or continue to exist in perpetuity, but are unobtainable. This makes it essential to have a plan in place for any cryptocurrencies which you may own at the time

death. This can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the nature of investments and we recommend seeking specific advise about the handling of these cryptocurrency assets and advising your legal and accounting professionals when giving instructions on estate matters.

Where you have a complicated estate with various modern investments, or a relatively traditional estate, the lawyers at Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP have the experience to assist you with crafting an estate plan that will ensure that your loved ones are taken care of after you pass.

of

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

Madelaine Douglas, Associate I

Member Profile Rangoli Indian Restaurant & Bar

Rangoli: Explore the Enchanting World of South Indian Culture and Cuisine

Vegan or meat eater, take-out or catering, from South India or not, there’s adventure to be had in Brantford. Get ready for Rangoli -a tantalizing journey through the rich and diverse landscape of South Indian cuisine. Rangoli Restaurant is committed to creating a cultural experience. They take pride in introducing guests to the diversity of South Indian traditions through food, décor, and warm hospitality.

Rangoli is quite possibly the most Instagram-able restaurant in Brantford. From the moment you step through

the small unassuming Northridge Plaza entrance (nestled right beside Food Basics) you are greeted with an ambiance that reflects the heart and soul of South India. You do not need to be from that part of the world to appreciate the murals, bold colours, rich textures, and fixtures.

In terms of what services Rangoli has to offer, they have dine-in, take-out, and delivery (Uber, Skip and DoorDash) but they also offer some unique and impressive options:

Elegant Professional Buffet: A sophisticated buffet presentation that adds a touch of class to your special occasions.

Chaat Counters: Savor the vibrant flavors of Indian street food at their chaat counter, offering a quick and delightful authentic treat.

Live Dosa Counters: Witness the artistry of dosa-making as their skilled chefs create these delectable treats right in front of your eyes!

Explore what South Indian has to offer yourself at:

265 King George Rd unit, 101B, Brantford 519-751-9901 www.rangolicanada.com

Facebook: rangolirestaurantbrantford

Instagram: rangolirestaurant

I Catering Services: Elevate your events with the enchanting flavors of South India.

Member Profile

Owning a home is a common lifetime goal, yet home buying often triggers numerous questions. Concerns range from securing the down payment to uncertainties about credit scores, and for those who are self-employed who already know it can be challenging to get credit at all.

Mortgage professionals, also known as Agents/Brokers, serve as valuable resources for addressing these concerns and any other queries homebuyers may have. In fact, mortgage professionals are valuable resources who are often overlooked simply because they are not connected to a bank, yet they have access to over 50 lenders, including the banks, are regulated, licenced and are uniquely qualified to guide clients into the best mortgage products.

Working with a mortgage broker provides access to a wide range of

Julie Henwood Home

fifth home, an investment property or vacation property, it is advantageous to work with an industry professional who specializes in mortgages. Brokers have an in-depth knowledge and can provide personalized advice based on your individual financial situation and goals, leading to you make informed decisions.

lenders and mortgage products making it advantageous for selfemployed individuals, particularly when traditional income verification just won’t work, programs such as Stated Income for Self Employed can provide a viable solution. We can help you navigate the mortgage landscape, find lenders that specialize in working with self-employed individuals, and identify the best mortgage options based on your specific circumstances. Whether you are self-employed, commission based or traditionally employed, and whether its your first or I

Julie Henwood has decades of experience in mortgage lending and personal finance with the expertise to provide clients with sound advice and guidance in securing optimal mortgage solutions. She is always open to having a conversation with you about your mortgage financing needs and can be reached at 519-8022865 or julie@juliehenwoodhome.ca. Connect with her on social media @ juliehenwoodhome.

You

New Members

n Brantford Blessing Centre

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Jennifer Barker (519)755-0313

theblessingcentre@outlook.com Brantford, ON

n C3DAR Lab

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Carolyn Cowper (226)400-6155

info@c3darlab.ca Brantford, ON

n Classic Party Rentals Inc.

PARTY SUPPLY RENTALS

Robert Van Grootel (519) 759-7221

sales@classicpartyrentalsinc.ca Brantford, ON

n Darmont Events Management

EVENT PLANNERS

Tobi Adedayo (548)983-2201

tobi@darmontevents.com Paris, ON

n Grand River Dinner Cruises

TOURISM

Blain Albin (905)765-4107

blain@grandrivercruises.ca Caledonia, ON

n mobilemend

WIRELESS & CELL PHONE SERVICES

Morgan Xiola (519)732-9292

morganr@mobilemend.ca Brantford, ON

n Quality Pools Ltd.

SWIMMING POOL SERVICE

John Lovett (226) 381-1432

qualitypoolsbrantford@gmail.com Brantford, ON

n Rebest Technology Inc.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Yingqiu Lu (416) 985-3026

rtisummer@126.com Toronto, ON

Advocacy Shaping Policies for Business

Growth Locally and Nationally

As you read this, the Advocacy Committee has completed a facilitated discussion by Chamber member Elizabeth Lorenzin, to develop an Advocacy Strategy for the Chamber, through the Committee and the Board. Look for more information about how you can get involved and have your input over the coming months. This work will help to inform and refine the Chamber’s work to improve the environment for business in the County of Brant and City of Brantford.

The Chamber has recently returned from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM and Policy Convention. We are proud to announce that Past President Paul Bisanti has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. This is the first OCC Board member from Brantford-Brant in over 25 years. Paul’s exceptional and diverse in professional background in housing development and environmental engineering, and his hard work at the provincial and national policy tables with the OCC and Canadian Chamber of Commerce, helped him earn this special honour. The Chamber looks forward to learning more, and sharing and supporting Paul’s work with the OCC.

At the AGM, the delegates debated 28 policies intended to improve the environment for business in Ontario. The Chamber authored one, “Deploying Economic Principles to Policing”, and co-sponsored one, “2-in-1 Roads Save Time, Lives, and Taxpayer Dollars”, in addition to reviewing in advance the quality of the proposals through staff and volunteer participation in the OCC’s Policy Advisory Committee. These included six specific policies on skills development.

The 2024 Ontario Budget added $100 million to the existing Skills Development Fund, and $16.5 million per year for the next three years to the Skilled Trades Strategy, both to attract more young people into the skilled trades.

A national win to briefly mention –specifically called for in our Driving Innovation in Canada policy paper adapted at the 2023 Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM and Policy Convention – are recent proposals by the Government of Canada for expanded scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentives and a Federal Patent Box Regime, to incentivize business to conduct R&D, register Intellectual Property, and commercialize products across Canada leading to economic growth and investment. Government needs to reduce artificial barriers to growth, and streamline applications for Canadian companies of all sizes to modernize expand pre-approval process to align with our US neighbours to improve competitiveness.

MEMBER PRIVILEGES

Being a member of the Chamber does have its privileges! These programs and services directly impact your bottom line, saving both time and money

From savings on fuel ($0.035) per litre, to savings on office supplies that are delivered to your door, from our connection with BarterPay to the best shipping services worldwide, the variety of programs can easily pay your membership in the first year. We also have an exclusive Member2Member Discount Program which promotes members buying products and services from members, enhancing our local economy and the adage, ‘when price and service are comparable, shop a Chamber Member!’

For more information on these programs, or to join the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant contact Greg Evans, Director, Member Relations at greg@chamberbrantfordbrant.com or call 519-753-2617

David Prang

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