2023
ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS 905.451.1122 www.bramptonbot.com
LEADERS’ MESSAGE Looking back on the past year there is a sense of pride in the important work that the Brampton Board of Trade has undertaken on your behalf. Together we have collaborated with our partners in government and industry, we have convened leaders in our community and we have advocated for pro-growth conditions for our city. Looking ahead, there are big changes on the way – for us as an organization and for our municipal government here in Brampton, but above all there is strong optimism for what the future holds. The digital transformation that we underwent due to COVID has continued to pay dividends in the areas of member care and business development. In 2023 we had another stellar year, with a full-time staff complement that includes managers in marketing, business development, government relations, operations, events and finance. Our events programming remains flexible, creative and above all responsive to member needs. We continue to deliver our signature in-person events with great success, while taking advantage of sector and topic-specific opportunities to address emerging areas of interest. We saw examples of both as we brought back our spring Energy & Environment Forum for the second year, while introducing new events such as the Degrees, Diplomas & Development Forum as well as the Workforce Solutions Summit. We continue to work to implement the Board of Directors’ bold vision. The four categories of membership that we offer allow enterprises of all sizes and growth stages to participate, and in the year ahead we will be offering more flexible sponsorship opportunities for those businesses that wish to highlight their contributions to our community. And at a time that sees growing challenges both locally and in the world around us, our advocacy has never been more relevant or important. From spurring downtown revitalization, to securing capital funding for cornerstone infrastructure projects, to pushing for pro-growth policies and improving amenities like healthcare capacity and housing in our city, the Board of Trade has been active on every file that matters to you. Our Business Confidence Index will soon be published and will serve as a guide for member priorities in 2023-24. As we welcome a new Chair and Chair-elect today, and prepare for a CEO transition in the new year, the focus will remain on making the connections that our members need to grow while putting them in the room with the key decision-makers in Brampton. At the end of 2023 we continue to serve you as the oldest and most representative business association in Brampton. You have our commitment that we will continue to be bold and courageous – for you. As we reflect on the past year, we’re filled with immense pride in the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken together at the Brampton Board of Trade. We’ve stood at the forefront of change, championing growth and pro-growth policies that benefit our vibrant city. Our ability to adapt, connect, and advocate has been truly inspiring. Looking ahead, there’s a sense of eager anticipation in the air. Change is on the horizon, and it’s an opportunity to seize the future with open arms. Our team, our partners, and our invaluable members have all played an integral part in our success. We look forward to the exciting times ahead, knowing that our legacy of making things happen will only grow stronger. As we prepare for new leadership, let’s continue to be the bold and courageous force that Brampton businesses deserve.
Daniel Lewis Chair 2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Todd Letts Chief Executive Officer BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE bramptonbot.com
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BUSINESS LEADERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ADVOCACY & REPRESENTATION Representing you and helping governments understand the needs of business. CONNECTIONS & SOLUTIONS Introducing you to the people, suppliers, customers, and experts that can accelerate your success journey. VISION & GROWTH We attract the visionaries, creatives and the smartest businesses in Brampton. LEADERSHIP & ACCOUNTABILITY Together, we will build the best business association in the world.
Thank You to Retiring Board Members
Donna Fagon-Pascal 2022 BBOT Chair Dynacare
Joe Jackman Almag Aluminum
Johanne Rappoccio 2022 BBOT VC Finance BMP Metals Inc.
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
Jeremy MacBean IT Weapons
Lindsay Engel Sheridan College
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
2024 Board of Directors
Louis Vouloukos 2024 BBOT Chair Lawrences Lawyers
Daniel Lewis BBOT Past Chair Daniel’s Chai Bar
Kate Saldanha 2025 Chair-Elect Prouse, Dash & Crouch
Aman Sandhu 2024 BBOT VC Finance TD Commercial Banking
Paula Harvey Bayshore HealthCare
Jason Green Greenwin
Usha Srinivasan Brampton Venture Zone by TMU
François Desmarais Alstom
Kanwar Dhanjal Just Instruments Inc.
Girish Nair CN
Fred Marques Maple Lodge Farms
Boyd Reid Hop In Technologies
Amisha Moorjani The Food Quotient
Todd Letts Brampton Board of Trade
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE bramptonbot.com
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BUSINESS LEADERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE The Prosperity Agenda is a road map designed to help business leaders become more aware of the key drivers of our economy and their role in moving Brampton forward. Focus is on these five pillars:
The 2023 Prosperity Agenda has been updated following the discussion at September’s Prosperity Round Table, a gathering of community leads to share the private sector’s agenda for growth. The five pillars cover multiple policy areas that touch on all of the major files that impact business, such as talent and immigration, education and skills development, growthenabling infrastructure and competitiveness and trade. View the updates at: bramptonbot.com/advocacy
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
ADVOCACY WINS FEDERAL •
Co-sponsored successful federal-facing resolutions through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce that recommended fairer tax treatment as well as proposed reforms to use immigration as a tool to solve workforce challenges.
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Collaboration through the Canadian Global Cities Council on priorities such as a federal strategy for downtown revitalization and reduction in interprovincial trade barriers.
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Success at obtaining investment in programs that benefit Brampton, such as $50 million in funding for Destination Canada to secure international conferences and events such as the IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship.
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Joint federal-provincial support for Stellantis Brampton plant, re-tooling production to enable manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles.
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On-going advocacy for relief for small businesses that struggled the most during the pandemic, including consistent calls for an extension on the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan.
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Progress on national supply chain resilience, including through participation in the Halton Peel Supply Chain Council and through a $52.2 million investment over five years to Transport Canada to establish a Transportation Supply Chain Office.
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Support for emerging industries, such as the Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Credit to help with costs for equipment to process and extract resources used in clean technology.
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Hosted federal Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra to share Brampton business priorities and create direct dialogue between Transport Canada and Board of Trade members.
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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PROVINCIAL •
Investment of $4 million to attract more entrepreneurship, including international entrepreneurs, to Brampton, through partners in the Brampton Innovation District.
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Re-naming of Downtown GO Station to Brampton Innovation District GO, increasing regional and national profile of our Innovation District.
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Additional support for transit fare integration, eliminating double fares for most local transit when passengers use a GO service.
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Joint federal-provincial support for Stellantis Brampton plant, re-tooling production to enable manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles.
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Successful transition of Peel Memorial Urgent Care Centre to 24/7, 7-day/week facility offering critically needed local healthcare capacity.
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On-going advocacy for increased funding on all transit routes, including increased service along existing GO Train corridors and for capital projects such as BRT and LRT.
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Received near-unanimous support at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM for a resolution calling on provincial government to increase healthcare capacity in Brampton.
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Hosted joint federal-provincial issues forum, resulting in robust dialogue and discussion between two senior levels of government.
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Launched Ontario’s 2023 Pre-Budget Consultation with Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy alongside Board of Trade Chair Daniel Lewis.
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
MUNICIPAL •
Provided detailed input on business community priorities during the municipal budget process, including by participating in town halls and submitting correspondence to council calling for property tax transparency and stability alongside investment in growth-enabling infrastructure.
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Recommended a course of action likeliest to get the Main Street LRT built fastest, by advising the municipal government to submit the option with the best chance of getting full funding to the Transit Project Assessment Process.
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Formed a key part of the downtown Innovation District through our trade document processing (certificates of origin) and advocacy programming.
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Highlighted Brampton as a global destination for investment through CEO participation in the World Chambers Forum as VC for the Americas.
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Pushed for improvements that will make Brampton an attractive place for employers and employees to put down roots, such as further work on planning for a third hospital.
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Advocated for the prompt development of Heritage Heights, a major parcel of land intended for mixed-use development that is being held up by disagreement between the city and province.
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Participated in the Mayor’s first annual Food Processing Summit, engaging with partners from across the city and region on how we can unlock the full potential of this sector.
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Worked collaboratively with Peel Public Health to give input on location selection and operational details for a pilot supervised consumption site, resulting in a location being selected that is adjacent to healthcare services and outside of the Innovation District and Downtown BIA catchment.
“Being a member of the Brampton Board of Trade has helped me take my entrepreneurship to the next level. They’ve provided me with networking opportunities within the local business community and encouraged me to lead discussions based on my successes and struggles as an entrepreneur.” -Maria Dubier, Owner, Sweet Chandelier
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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WORKING TOGETHER Through facilitating strategic relationships, advocating on behalf of businesses, and developing cost savings programs, the mission is fulfilled by helping members find solutions to the toughest problems that businesses face every day including overcoming barriers to growth, attracting, and retaining talent, and making the right connections.
BY THE NUMBERS Facebook Followers 2,898, 2% increase
Instagram Followers 3,048 4% increase
LinkedIn Followers 2,410 33% increase
Twitter Followers 4,948
Member Retention 89%
Events Held 113
Website Page Views 7,049 per month
Newsletter Open Rate 31%
Membership Growth Rate 5%
“The Brampton Board of Trade always advocates for Brampton businesses at all levels of government, and is our voice in the ear of the policy makers. We are very happy to have witnessed several recommendations made by BBOT that have been adopted, especially at the City level.” -Amisha Moorjani – The Food Quotient
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
HONOURS, ETHICS & GOVERNANCE Excellence is Accreditation. It is the formal acknowledgment that member chambers of commerce/boards of trade have been successfully evaluated against rigorous national standards of policy, service, and performance. Becoming accredited and displaying the official accreditation seal is the Brampton Board of Trades’ declaration of, and commitment to, our unique value proposition as “the voice of business” in communities across Canada. Accreditation is re-evaluated every three years and the Brampton Board of Trade has successfully maintained accreditation excellence since 2007, consecutively. Three Pillars of excellence are reviewed by a submission of documentation outlining each criteria and line item. The three Pillars are: 1. Organization/Governance 2. Policy & Advocacy 3. Memberships Programs/ Services Brampton Board of Trade has successfully completed our re-accreditation in September 2023 and continues to withhold the highest standards of ethics and governance.
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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THANK YOU PROSPERITY PARTNERS
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2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
2023 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS Community Impact Brampton Meals on Wheels
Culture Experience ASA Meats and West Indian Groceries
Service Excellence Bioped Brampton
Workplace Wellness & Talent Development Reeves Auto
Community Builder Algoma University
Global Trade Impact Vintech Ltd.
Environmental Sustainability Cutter & Buck Canada
Innovation Metro Compactor Service
Retail Experience Restyle Beauty Boutique
Smart Solutions eiamplified 2023 Business Person of the Year Michael Burrows, CEO, Maple Lodge Farms
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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MEMBERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Smart businesses are Board of Trade members. Make a referral? What can you contribute?
Make change happen Knock-down barriers to growth at all 4 levels of government. Stand together to encourage economic growth and pro-business policies that make it easier for your business to thrive
Build partnerships Take advantage of our local, national, and global connections to stay informed and help you to find new partners to reach your business aspirations.
Attract new clients Find potential new clients and customers through our online member directory or at our many business development opportunities
Grow your network Meet fellow members, local community leaders, and decisionmakers at monthly events. Connect directly with Brampton’s business leaders.
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
COST SAVING PROGRAMS Your membership gives you access to exclusive cost savings programs, enabling members to reduce business costs and spending
Learn more at: bramptonbot.com/cost-savings 2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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2024 KEY DATES State of the City
InspiHER
February 6, 2024
In Celebration of International Women’s Day March 6, 2024
State of the Region
Energy & Environment Forum
April 4, 2024
April 16, 2024
“The Brampton Board of Trade is a wonderful voice for the businesses in Brampton to clearly express our priorities to all levels of government and to hold all levels of government accountable” -Jan Holland, Chairman & CEO, Candeco Realty Limited
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Business Excellence Awards
Prosperity Roundtable
May 2, 2024
September 26, 2024
Workforce Solutions Summit
Annual General Meeting
October 22, 2024
November 14, 2024
“The Brampton Board of Trade excels at promoting awareness of community giving, encouraging engagement with community leaders and understanding business concerns in various levels of administration.” -Prabhakaran Subhash, Magna
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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Raise Your Profile
Promote your business through the Brampton Board of Trade to reach a new, wider audience and gain credibility for your business. In doing so, you align your brand to our community’s most trusted and respected businesses.
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
MEET THE TEAM
Todd Letts CEO
Kevin Draper Manager, Government Relations & Communications Strategy
Jennifer Oppermann Account Development Manager
Jennifer LaLonde Director of Operations
Ansar Khan Finance & Operations Manager
Sonia D’Alimonte Manager, Events & Community Networks
Justyna Toeppner Marketing & Communications Manager
2023 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
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BRAMPTON BOARD OF TRADE 36 Queen Street East, Suite 101 Brampton, ON L6V 1A2 www.bramptonbot.com | 905.451.1122