Message from the President
Chamber Focused on Busy Fall and Preparations for 2025 Events
As this issue hits your desk, the Chamber Board and staff will be focusing on another busy fall, including starting the work to deliver a comprehensive program of events in 2025.
Our cover feature celebrates our Mayor’s Harvest Luncheon with County of Brant Mayor David Bailey, what we anticipate is the final event in our 2024 Advocacy Series presented by the Brantford Regional Real Estate Association. Building on the success of the Brantford 2050 Breakfast in June, we are delighted to present Mayor Bailey, in the middle of the fall harvest season, to celebrate successful initiatives of the County of Brant, describe the opportunities available to the County over the next 25 years, and to answer questions from the business community.
The Chamber was busy over the summer, attending several events and meetings and making adjustments to our plans in response to the dynamic events and announcements in today’s business environment. We are delighted to be working with Enterprise Brant, the BrantfordBrant Business Resource Centre, and the Paris and District Chamber of Commerce in the delivery of a week of programming in celebration of Small Business Week, October 21-25, and returning to a comedian-themed Wine, Women, and Shopping event in November.
Chamber staff, President Chris Rayfield, and Past President and Ontario Chamber of Commerce Board Member Paul Bisanti will be attending the Canadian Chamber of
Commerce Annual General Meeting and Policy Convention in October, after a summer of reading and reviewing national policy resolutions as David and Paul serve on the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Caucus Advisory Committee. The Chamber strives
to share progress on national and provincial policy matters in a timely manner, and welcomes ideas and input for policies that impact your business.
Finally, our 16th work-integrated learning student since 2019 has updated our website look, feel and navigation this summer. The Chamber is proud to support learning experiences and create meaningful employment opportunities for our secondary and post-secondary students, and while it can be a little extra work to create and supervise learning experiences, the opportunities for students and economical benefit to organizations are unique and valuable. The Chamber regularly posts opportunities in our e-news and our website, and can channel opportunities and requests for students through our education partners.
I
David Prang
2025 BUSINESS
Deadline: October 31st, 2024
Member Profile Classic Party Rentals
Party Planners’ Best Friend Since ’88
Since 1988, Classic Party Rentals has been at the heart of Brant County’s celebrations. We make the party planning process enjoyable and stress-free, offering exceptional customer service, unwavering reliability, and the cleanest dinnerware in the industry, thanks to our proprietary cleaning process.
At Classic Party Rentals, we believe that planning a big event should be fun, not stressful. As Southern Ontario’s premier destination for all types of events, we specialize in weddings, corporate events, and more. Our team is dedicated to making your event memorable and seamless.
Our Brantford shop is stocked with a wide range of rental items, including:
Customized Insurance Coverage for Your Business
n Audio, entertainment, and games
n Catering equipment and BBQs
n Dishes, glasses and cutlery
n Linens
n Tables andchairs
n Pipe and drape
n Specialty food equipment
n Holiday and Lawn Ornaments
n Tents and dance floor
n Wedding accessories and décor
We cater to various corporate events, such as:
n Corporate Meetings and Conferences
n Conferences and Seminars
n Trade Shows and Expos
n Corporate Parties and Celebrations
n Holiday Parties
n Networking Events and Mixers
n Job Fairs
n Gala Dinners
For personal celebrations, we provide rentals for:
n Weddings
n Birthdays
n Anniversaries
n Showers of all types
n Graduation Parties
n Engagement Parties
n Holiday Parties
n Retirement Parties
Rob and Jordan acquired Classic Party Rentals in 2023 and proudly carry on the legacy passed down from the previous owners. Classic Party Rentals consistently supports the local community and is open to collaborate with other local businesses. I
New Members
n Derek Bond Entertainment EVENT PLANNERS
Derek Bond (519) 770-6988 Derekbond63@icloud.com Brantford, ON
n Due North Mechanical
PLUMBING CONTRACTORS
Brandon Dietl (289) 795-0690 info@duenorthmechanical.ca Ayr, ON
n Master Care Janitorial and Facility Service Inc.
CLEANING SERVICE
Rachel Exley (647) 417-1114 racheL@mastercare.com Brantford, ON
n Ontario Aesthetic Lighting Design
LIGHTING CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS
Dawn Brown (519) 761-1378 dbrown@oald.ca Brantford, ON
n Tranquil Care Brantford HEALTH SERVICE
Sherry Elliott (365) 356-3884 brantford@tranquilcare.ca Brantford, ON
Did You Know?
If you are interested in hosting, please contact Alex at alex@chamberbrantfordbrant.com for more information.
Pick a month that suits you!
? ? ?
Did you just move to a new location?
Do you have an anniversary you’d like to celebrate?
Do you have a big renovation or expansion, or a new showroom?
Hosting a Business After Hours is an excellent way to showcase your business/organization and let our membership know what it is that you do!
Advocacy Chamber Enhances Regional Ties with Key Meetings and Upcoming Harvest Lunch
Members of the Chamber executive were delighted to meet with Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill and chief of staff Linda Parker this summer to learn more about the priorities of the elected council, and to discuss opportunities to work together to improve economic and community development opportunities throughout our region.
The Chamber is excited to present the inaugural Harvest Lunch with Mayor David Bailey, an event offering the business community the opportunity to engage with County of Brant leadership. Look for more information throughout this issue.
This summer, Chamber staff and volunteers have met regularly with elected councillors and City and County staff on various issues including film, development, transportation, and events. Look for the fall to be a busy and dynamic season with further discussions on health care, infrastructure, and transportation priorities across both municipalities.
Provincially, MPP Will Bouma has been extremely busy with his three Parliamentary Assistant roles (Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Northern Development), in addition to his role as Caucus Chair. Our riding is fortunate to have a long term legacy of hard working MPPs to represent our region. The OCC has been active in program development, advocacy, and events, and we are keen to partner with the OCC to provide the Skillsbridge free skills upgrading opportunity for small businesses throughout the month of September.
On federal matters, staff and volunteers reviewed 47 national policy initiatives submitted by Chambers and Boards of Trade across the country, covering ten broad policy themes of significance for business, including trade, taxation, transportation and
please contact Greg Evans at:
infrastructure for the AGM and Policy Convention described in the CEO message. The Chamber maintains a strong connection with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network as part of our accreditation, and as the only Chamber locally to participate at a national level. For businesses engaged in interprovincial and international trade, the Chamber is a key partner in access to trade services at any level.
Finally, the Chamber met with Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock, and Dan Muys, Member of Parliament for the new federal riding of FlamboroughGlanbrook-Brant North, covering the Paris and St. George areas of the County of Brant, to be contested in the next federal election, anticipated by the fall of 2025. Staff and our advocacy volunteers look forward to a new dynamic with two federal MPs representing our Chamber’s region.
Contact Brant makes it simple to find community information and resources. for children, youth, and families to get connected to community services. We support families by bringing services together for a coordinated plan of care.
Our Services
Community Information Centre and www.info-bhn.ca Intake and referral to community child and youth services Lead Coordinating Agency, supporting parents of children and youth with complex needs: Autism services
Coordinated Service Planning
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) services
I
David Prang
M.J. Dixon, CPA, CA
• D.A. Cleary, CPA, 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
• Q.E. Bateson-Hotte, CPA, CA, LPA
• S.E. Goodwin, CPA, CA
• G.S. Gravett, CPA, CA • S.A. Salole, CPA, CA
• S.W. McGaghran, CPA, CA
• R.A. Parker, CPA, CGA, CFI
• W.A. Deane, CPA, CA
B.Y. Brenneman, CPA, CA
• J.E. Chowhan, CPA, CA
• G.M. Malecki, CPA, CA
• D.E. Paxton, CPA, CA • Wes. E.B. Caldwell, CPA CA
ASSOCIATES:
• C.J. Storoschuk, CPA, CA • K.B. Weames, CPA, CA
• M.M. Malecki, CPA CA
• N.T. Nguyen, CPA CA • S.C. Dykstra, CPA CA
• T.W. Schein, CPA, CA
• K.J. Carr, CPA, CA
• S.M.T. DaBreo, CPA, CA
GST/HST Implications When Purchasing or Selling Real Property
Purchasing and selling real property is an exciting experience and it’s all too easy to overlook the potential costly impact of GST/HST, an error that can quickly turn smiles to frowns.
Every property and circumstance will have its unique elements but there are some key points you can consider to identify your GST/HST exposure:
Taxable or Exempt
All sales of real property are subject to GST/HST unless otherwise exempted. The purpose and use of the property, not presentation, determines the application of GST/HST. One of the most common GST/HST exemption is for used residential property.
New or substantially renovated residential property, commercial buildings, farmland, and vacant land are common examples of taxable sales of real property. Please consult with a tax professional to determine the application of GST/HST to your situation.
Check Your Terms
Once you have determined whether GST/HST impacts your transaction, it is important to consider the wording of the purchase and sale agreement. The terms that are most often overlooked
are “GST/HST in addition to” and “GST/ HST included in”.
For example, taxable farmland is sold in Ontario for $1,000,000. Using the term “GST/HST included in” in an agreement, results in the farmland being sold for $884,955.75 + 13% HST. Using the term “GST/HST in addition” results in having sold the farmland for the full $1,000,000 + 13% HST. This is often overlooked where the application of GST/HST had not been considered and can result in significantly different outcomes.
The Bottom Line
As I tell all my clients, “It’s easier to ask questions before decisions are made
and finalized, than to try to build a time machine.” The impact of GST/HST implications are real and can financially sting if not handled with care. It is imperative to discuss and plan for these implications with your realtor and your lawyer, and especially your tax professional, before your closing date. 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
Diane Paxton, CPA, CA, LPA Partner
Ask a Lawyer Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP
Unreasonable Delay in Contracts
Construction projects and delays tend to go hand-in-hand.
Especially during the summer rush to complete projects, contractors and clients alike are often thwarted by supply chain issues, bad weather or conflicting schedules. However, what happens if a delay begins to become unreasonable? As a client, you may find yourself out-of-pocket a deposit with little indication that the work is even going forward. You may find yourself asking, can you compel the contractor to start work? Or, if work is not started can you walk away from the transaction altogether?
If the parties have entered into a written contract which specifies when work should begin, and that “time is of the essence” that timeframe must be strictly complied with. It is essential that “time is of the essence” be included as this means that work must be completed in accordance with the terms of the contract. Should delay occur the innocent party may be able to terminate the contract.
If there is no reference to a timeline, the contract shall be interpreted to still need to be completed within a reasonable time. This can still apply even if a written contract was not entered into. But raises the question of how we determine what is considered reasonable.
The recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision in 2533619 Ontario Inc. (Calibrex Development Group) v. Lucadamo, 2024 ONCA 536 offers some
guidance as to the expectations of parties under a contract with no set deadline for performance.
This case involved the purchase of a property. The closing of the purchase was set to occur thirty days after severance approval was received by the purchaser. After five years, the severance had still not been obtained. The issue at trial was whether the agreement of purchase and sale was still valid, given that there was no hard deadline for performance.
The Ontario Court of Appeal held that where no fixed deadline was given, performance must occur in a reasonable time. Furthermore, the parties must take all necessary actions ensure the contract’s performance. While the Court suggests that work must begin within a reasonable time, the question of what is reasonable may depend on a variety of factors. Should a client need to go to court to determine what is reasonable, they will likely have now experienced even greater delay than they had initially.
So, how can you protect yourself against unreasonable delays? Get something in writing. A written agreement can avoid an unnecessary ambiguity relating to the scope of work and the deadline for the commencement and completion of work.
Ensure you include the right terms. It is essential that the written contract has timelines including the start of work, milestones, and when work should be completed. Further, the contract should indicate that “time is of the essence”.
What happens if delay occurs?
It is important that the contract stipulates what occurs should there be delay, whether at the fault of the other party or due to uncontrollable circumstances. By agreeing to this prior to work, you can avoid having to figure it out only after delay occurs.
Seek legal advice. Have a lawyer review all legal documents before signing to ensure that your interests are protected.
Whether you are currently experiencing unreasonable delay in an agreement or want to ensure that your interests are protected before entering into a contract the lawyers at Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP have the experience to assist you.
Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP Brantford 20 Wellington St., Brantford.
Madelaine Douglas, Associate
Student Showcase
Trail Mix Turns Walking Paths into Musical Journey
By Sathya Suresh
Imagine walking a trail where every few steps unlock a new song from local artists, turning a simple walk into a musical journey. That’s exactly what Brantford’s Trail Mix offers as it returns for National Trail Day, adding a fresh layer of rhythm to the city’s scenic paths.
“The 10-kilometre trail begins at Hardy Road and winds its way to the intersection of River Road and Dike
Trail, weaving behind Brant Crossing and other key attractions. But this isn’t just any trail—at each of the 10 stops, you’ll find a QR code that connects you to a playlist of three songs by local musicians. That’s about 10 minutes of music before you reach the next stop, covering genres from pop and rock to classical and more.
“The goal is to highlight local talent and offer a unique way for the community to engage with the trail system,” said Adrienne Briggs, Brantford’s arts and culture coordinator.
Now in its third year, Trail Mix updates its music annually while maintaining
the same route. The city works with artists from Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations to ensure a varied mix of songs each year, paying $50 per song featured in the project.
Jak Hellington, a hip-hop artist whose song “Morning Weather Report” is featured this year, expressed his surprise and gratitude. “I was shocked when my song was picked. It’s great to see hip-hop, a genre that doesn’t always receive much local support, being embraced. I’m pleased that my song was chosen,” he said. Continued on Page
Above: Local hip-hop artists Skyler Danes and Jak Hellington of the group Original Beatsters are featured in Brantford’s Trail Mix 2024.
Member Profile Ontario aesthetic Lighting Design (OALD)
Ontario’s First Certified Lighting Designer Illuminates Functional Spaces
As a Certified Lighting Designer, Dawn’s mission is to enhance the human experience through the skillful and artistic application of light. Lighting is not just about vision; it’s about creating environments that balance aesthetics with functionality and sustainability.
Many people invest in lighting to improve the visual appeal of their spaces, thereby increasing the value of their products or services. Others recognize the profound impact that well-designed lighting can have on health and wellness, using it to support
the well-being of guests, residents, patients, and staff. Dawn’s goal is to help people harness the power of light to foster joy and happiness within the spaces they live, learn, play and work.
In Ontario, there are many talented lighting professionals, but Dawn takes pride in being the first in the province to achieve the Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) credential. This certification grants her international recognition among her peers as a distinguished design professional. After spending 22 years working with large engineering firms, Dawn decided to branch out on her own to make professional lighting design more accessible to the public. Her services encompass the complete lighting system, from design and documentation to construction management, ensuring a seamless experience for her clients.
As an independent consultant, Dawn
has the freedom to collaborate with any architect, engineer, contractor, or distributor. This flexibility allows her to tailor her services to meet the unique needs of each project. While her current focus is on lighting for senior living facilities, her portfolio is diverse, showcasing experience across various building sectors.
For more information or to contact Dawn, please visit her website at oald.ca
Local News for Brantford and Brant
Investing in your community
Over the last five years, Conestoga has invested more than $500 million dollars in state-of-the-art facilities and residences to ensure all students have access to housing, classrooms and labs, equipment and faculty that will allow them to develop the skills needed to launch successful careers. Recognized both nationally and provincially for its quality programming, Conestoga is proud to be the predominant source of skilled workers in Brantford and the other seven cities we serve to address continuing labour shortages. More than 165,000 Conestoga graduates live and work in Ontario and contribute more than $6.2 billion to the economy each year.
For more information visit: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/about/corporate-information/reports/economic-report
Student Showcase
< Continued from Page 19
Trail Mix doesn’t stop at the trail, though. Brantford brings the music to life with two additional events showcasing Trail Mix artists.
Trail Mix Live at the Brantford Farmers Market invites you to enjoy live performances from this year’s and past years’ featured musicians. Catch these talented artists on select Saturday mornings throughout the summer, with shows running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. “Brantford is very blessed to have such talent, and live music doesn’t really do that well nowadays, so Trail Mix is a great idea,” Hellington said.
Continuing the summer festivities, Cultural Day will be held Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the SC Johnson Trail, from the Hardy Road parking lot to Lafayette Avenue.
This multidisciplinary event will feature mini concerts, dance performances, spoken word and live painting along the 2.6-kilometre stretch. Last year’s event drew about 600 attendees, with a larger turnout expected this year.
“We aim to showcase a diverse range of cultural mediums to highlight local artistic talent,” said Briggs.
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to support local artists and rediscover Brantford’s trails in a way you’ve never experienced before. Lace up your walking shoes, grab your headphones, and let the music guide your steps on this journey.
We’re excited to bring our customers and partners this all-new digital experience with more resources and features than ever before.
Sathya Suresh is a fourth-year Digital Media & Journalism student at Wilfrid Laurier University. I
Membership Renewals
n Advanced Office Solutions
n Boyle Plumbing & Heating Co. Ltd.
n Brant County Health Unit
n Brantford Honda
n Brantwood Community Services
n Burning Kiln Winery
n Careerlink Employment Centre
n Charing Cross Implant Denture Clinic
n Terry Collins
n Corner Motor Sales Limited
n Craig Wright Design
n Creek View Acres Nursery & Orchard
n Devlins Country Bistro & Catering
n Elements Casino Brantford
n Ener Dynamic
n Evanov Communications Inc
n Execulink Telecom Inc.
n Family Care Chiropractic
n Fastsigns of Brantford
n GCI Construction Group
n Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
n Grand Financial Planning
n Hairways
n HT Industrial
n InSitu Remediation Services Ltd.
n Ironstone Entrance Technologies Inc.
n IT Force
n Itech Precision Group Inc.
n Joshua Wall
n The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
n Ken’s Towing Services
n Lansdowne Children’s Centre
n Lawrie Insurance Group
n Lococo’s-Brantford
n Marco-PPFD LTD
n Massage Addict Brantford
n Massage Addict-West Brant
n Massilly North America Inc.
n Mitsui High-tec (Canada) Inc.
n Mitten Inc.
n Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Technology
n Norlok Technology Inc. (ISO 9001 Registered)
n Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
n Ponder Recruiting Inc.
n Pynx Productions
n Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc. Canadian Division
n Seasons Brantford Retirement Community
n Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation
n SongBird Marketing Communications
n Steve’s Tea Company
n SVS Greenhouses
n The Design Thinking Agency
n TMG The Mortgage Group – Julie Henwood
n Town Crier-David V. McKee
n VitaHeal HomeCare
n Walking Floor International/Canada
n West Brant Physiotherapy & Massage Therapy
n West Brant Window World
n Whatcha Wanna Wear - Custom Logo Products
Membership Corner
Behind the scenes of the daily grind in Brantford-Brant, we’re extremely fortunate to have several local service clubs both quietly and loudly doing incredible things and making a significant impact. Service organizations have a generations-long history in the area and have shaped our communities more than many realize.
Whether it’s making a global impact with projects like improving literacy and bringing clean water to communities in need (Rotary), changing lives by providing vision care to those without access to it (Lions), or providing mentoring and educational programs to young people (Kiwanis), service clubs certainly make a difference throughout Canada and around the world.
But these organizations have an enormous impact locally as well – the Kiwanis Children’s Safety Village, Lions Park, and Rotary Classic Run are just a few examples of things you’ve likely enjoyed if you grew up in the County of Brant or the City of Brantford.
What’s truly special about these clubs is how they work together, pooling resources and passion to tackle big challenges. They team up with local businesses, government agencies, and other groups to make sure no one falls through the cracks.
For us as Chamber members, supporting and partnering with our local service clubs isn’t just about giving back—it’s about investing in our community’s future. These groups show us that success isn’t just about the bottom line; it’s about lifting each other up and building a community
where everyone can thrive.
The impact of these clubs is often felt in the smallest of gestures—like providing backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need, organizing community clean-ups, or offering scholarships to deserving students. These acts of kindness ripple
outwards, creating a stronger, more connected community.
These organizations also inspire a spirit of volunteerism that spreads throughout our community, encouraging others to step up and contribute in their own ways. The sense of unity and shared purpose they foster is invaluable, reminding us all that we’re part of something bigger.
The next time you’re trying to find ways to make a difference, consider getting involved with one of these local service clubs – I promise they’ll be thrilled to have you as a guest at their next meeting to share a meal and show you more about what they do.
Whether you’re donating time, money, or expertise, every little bit helps. Together, we can keep Brantford-Brant strong and vibrant for generations to come.
Greg Evans
Harvest Lunch with County of Brant Mayor David Bailey
Friday, September 22nd, 2024 11:30AM to 2PM
Towneplace Suites by Marriott Brantford & Conference Centre
Introducing our First Harvest Lunch with County of Brant Mayor David Bailey! Join us for a delightful lunch where County of Brant Mayor David Bailey will share his exciting vision for the upcoming year. This is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the future of Brant County.
Highlights
Inspiring Address: Hear firsthand from Mayor David Bailey about the plans and priorities shaping the County of Brant.
Networking: Connect with fellow business leaders and forge new relationships in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Engaging Conversations: Participate in discussions that matter to you and your business.
100% pure fibre Internet, the most reliable technology1
Choice of packages with speeds from 50 Mbps to 3 Gbps
Wi-Fi 6E, the most advanced Wi-Fi, for powerful coverage throughout your home
No long-term commitment Switch to pure fibre Internet
Now, starting from:
Includes a credit of $25/mo.* for 2 years. Prices may increase during subscription. Currently $85/mo. *Credit earned at the end of the full billing period.2
