Tuesday E-mail - June 1, 2010

What Is The Chamber Doing For You?


HST Seminar – Are You HST Ready?

Due to the many questions businesses in our area have about the upcoming implementation of the HST, the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Pointe au Baril Chamber of Commerce to have two information sessions delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency. The information seminars, “Transition to Harmonized Sales Tax - Information for Businesses” will be held on June 15, 2010 at the Pointe au Baril Community Centre, 70 South Shore Road, Pointe au Baril. Each session is approximately 2.5 hours in length, from 1 pm – 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm – 9 pm.

Registration is required. A registration list will be sent in from the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce and everyone is encouraged to let us know if they plan to attend so that we can ensure these sessions are maximized. (contact: info@parrysoundchamber.ca or 705-746-4213)

To register directly with the government, please send an email to Sudbury_outreach_visibilite@cra-arc.gc.ca indicating the name of each attendee in your party, time of the session you wish to attend, and the contact phone number in case the session is completely filled.

Please note that all registrations are considered confirmed at the time they are sent to the outreach email address. You will only be contacted in the case of a change or a cancellation.
If you register and then find that you cannot attend, please email Sudbury_outreach_visibilite@cra-arc.gc.ca.


Business on the Bay

Join the Chamber of Commerce, Georgian Bay Country and the Georgian Bay Women’s Network for the Annual BUSINESS ON THE BAY networking cruise. This year’s event will be held Wednesday, June 16 from 5-6 pm onboard the Island Queen. This free 1 hour networking get together leaves the Town Dock in Parry Sound promptly at 5 pm, so don’t be left behind!

The cruise offers the opportunity for area businesses and their front line staff to get to know each other, share ideas and information about the upcoming summer season and to learn more about what others in the area have on the go. Get to know what’s happening with your fellow businesses and wow customers this summer with your knowledge of the area.

Special thanks to the Island Queen for their generous support of this annual networking program.
Please RSVP to Anna Marie Harris at 705-378-5105 or annamarie@gbcountry.com to confirm your participation.


Upcoming Business After Hours (BAH) Dates

• Big Sound Marina, June 25, 5 pm to 6 pm
• Delta Rocky Crest Resort, July 14, 5 pm to 6 pm
• Rosseau Road Power Sports and Marine, August 25, 5 pm to 6 pm

Please RSVP to info@parrysoundchamber.ca or call 746-4213 to confirm your attendance for any Business After Hours. We look forward to seeing you there!


What’s Happening In Our Community?

Parry Sound Area Dragon’s Den Information Session In preparation for this fall’s Dragon’s Den Event for local innovators, the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) and partners will be hosting an information session on June 24, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Rosseau Memorial Community Hall, 2 Victoria Street in the Village of Rosseau.

This session will allow entrepreneurs to gain an initial idea of what to expect when applying to present to the Parry Sound Area Dragons. The Parry Sound Area Dragon’s Den will entertain applications from anyone who has a business or expansion idea that needs private capital investment of $10,000 or more. Everyone is welcome, whether you already have a business or just a brilliant idea!

The Parry Sound Area Dragon’s Den will be held on Friday October 15, 2010 at the Charles W. Stockey Centre. For more information or to RSVP for the information session (by June 20th) please contact Kirsten LeDrew at kledrew@townofparrysound.com or 705-746-2101 ext. 39.

This event is funded in part by the Parry Sound Area Community Business and Development Centre in support of economic development in West Parry Sound.


Canadian Life Sciences & Nutraceuticals Trade Mission

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), in partnership with the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong, Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) would like to invite Ontario companies to join the Canadian Life Sciences and Nutraceuticals Trade Mission to Hong Kong & China August 10 - 18, 2010.

This mission is designed for participation by those Ontario companies which are involved in natural health products, life sciences, and nutraceuticals that are interested in expanding their business to China and Hong Kong. To register for this mission, please contact Adrian Cheng of HKTDC Toronto Office at (416) 366-3594 or email adrian.ch.cheng@hktdc.org.

There is no registration fee required for joining this mission and delegates can apply for an Export Market Access (EMA) grant offered by the OCC. EMA is designed to assist small to medium size organizations (SMEs) to access and expand their growth in new foreign markets.

If your company has 5 or more employees and annual sales of $500,000 or more, you may qualify for a grant covering up to 50% of eligible costs incurred to develop export sales. To find out if your company qualifies, please visit: www.exportaccess.ca.


Workplace Violence & Harassment Requirements

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has shared the following bulletin with the Chamber Network to inform everyone of the importance guidelines surrounding the introduction of Bill 168 (this Act amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace and other matters).

The Ontario government has released a “HOW TO” TOOL KIT, which is a template guide to help businesses comply with new requirements relating to workplace violence and harassment. Starting June 15, businesses must: develop workplace violence and harassment policies and programs; assess risks of workplace violence including situations involving handling of cash, dealing with potentially violent clients, working alone, working in high-crime areas, protecting valuable goods and transporting people or goods; and, identify possible ways to control those risks for employees.

All workplaces must review these policies as often as necessary, but at least annually. They must prepare these policies, ensure they are in written form, and post them in a conspicuous place at work. (Businesses with 5 employees or less must prepare the policies in a written form, but don’t have to post them in a conspicuous place, unless otherwise ordered by a ministry inspector).

Employees must be informed and instructed on the policies and programs, and such policies must address risks, and provide measures to control them. Failure to do so may result in orders to comply, or provincial fines or criminal charges.

Businesses, for instance, should be aware that among other regulations, employees can refuse to work or do particular work if they believe workplace violence is present. Employers must provide details on a workplace violence incident to their joint health & safety committee or rep within four days of it happening and inform the Ministry. Employers should be aware that domestic violence may occur in the workplace, so they must take every precaution
to protect a worker at risk of physical injury. In addition, they must tell employees about colleagues who may pose a physical risk to them.

MOL’s Tool Kit for Employers: Click Here

Workplace Violence & Harassment Act: Click Here

“Understanding this New Law”: Click Here

In brief , what you’ve got to do: Click Here

MOL’s Inquiry Line for Employers on the new requirements- Province-wide: 1-800-268-8013


What Are Our Members Doing?


Penney and Company Welcome New Employee

Congratulations go out to the team at Penney and Company who have recently added a new face to their team. Josh Morin has joined the team as a Web Developer, bringing new media talents including producing e-media products, designing web sites and upgrading existing sites.


Swiss Country House Grand Re-Opening

The renovations are complete and it is time to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Swiss Country House Restaurant right off of Highway 124 at Ahmic Lake. From June 1 to June 6, visit the brand new facility, bigger and better than ever! Also join in the 1st Annual Swiss-Fest on June 5th and 6th. Congratulations to the Swiss Country House Team and best of luck with the Re-Opening!