APRIL 2022
Chamber at a
Glance CONNECTION
ADVOCACY
NETWORKING
PROMOTIONS
Leadership Message SPRINGING FORWARD
This winter has been long and cold, with more snow shoveling than
These businesses are selected by their peers and represent the
we have seen in a long time. It has forced all of us to become just
very best we can offer.
a little tougher to get through. But as happens every year, spring arrives, the days get longer, and we can anticipate growth and
Our Board of Directors gets a refresh this time of year, also! I
renewal.
encourage each of you to look at this opportunity to serve your fellow businesses and community. It is a chance to spend time
I think of our two years of Covid the same way. We have battled
with an incredible group of knowledgeable people and make a
through
difference. You’ll have a lot of fun too! If you aren’t sure, reach
the
worst
and
can
now
see
conditions
improving.
Lowered healthcare system stressors, relaxed public health rules, and consumer confidence levels increasing. And like every April,
out
to
me,
Spencer
Day
or
any
of
the
Board
to
discuss
the
upcoming elections and what the responsibilities are.
we will likely still have some storms and bad days ahead but the trajectory is clearly heading upwards!
Spring is here! Life is returning to what we remember! Things are not perfect, but our world is getting better. As community leaders,
Our Chamber is hosting three very important upcoming in-person
please continue to be the example of kindness and resilience we
events. A luncheon on Rural Economic Development presenting
all need.
short- and long-term strategies for growing our local economy. A luncheon with our Premier, hearing her thoughts on where our Province is going in 2022 and 2023. And finally, our Chamber Gala.
After a three-year hiatus from hosting a live event, we are so excited to celebrate Business Excellence in our community! We will follow the format we debuted last year virtually and recognize
Barry Cooper
2021-2022 Chamber President
nominees and announce winners during the evening.
JOIN MB PULSE + HELP US ADVOCATE FOR MB BUSINESS MB PULSE is a subscription-based community insights and online polling platform which will strengthen our members’ collective voice. In launching this tool, our goal is to collect point-in-time trends data to support our efforts in influencing government policy and decision-making.
As a MB PULSE community member, you’ll: have regular opportunities to share your thoughts on a variety of emerging business issues from proposed legislation to forces affecting operations, such as HR and workforce matters, taxation, growth plans, marketing and export, and more; engage with colleagues on topics that matter to business leaders; benefit from access to information, data (in aggregate form only), and research themes so you can learn how others feel about relevant issues.
To join, visit: mbchamber.mb.ca/mb-pulse
Interested in how Chamber Plan can help you save? Contact our preferred advisor at
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2022
1-855-630-7528 02
Get Involved
"Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud." - Helen Dyer
2
3
Business
Development
Committee
has
established
recommendations that the City of Brandon can use to assess the current method of driving downtown revitalization. This is being done
Updates from Chamber Committees
1
The
“
to
ensure
process.
Areas
development,
it of
is
a
coordinated,
focus
business
addressed
supports,
effective are
and
sustainable
downtown
proactive
safety
residential protocols,
development of downtown marketing and education campaigns and strategies for amenities and building community.” -
Jaime
Pugh, Chair of the Business Development Committee
3
"The Government Relations Committee has been working hard on all things budget. From the city to the
The Workforce Alignment Committee
“
following
areas
Interprovincial
of
focus:
Association
Aboriginal
Job
1) on
Continued Native back
work
with
Employment)
(The
bring
development of a “Best Practices” information series to assist local
organizations are submitting through a lens of what
businesses in attracting and retaining talent; 3) Meeting with WIS
is good for our community, our businesses, and
(Westman
where do we need to be in the future. The team has
connect the business community with newcomer talent.”
also focused on a policy paper to support the
-
potential
year;
2)
the
committee has been focused on what the
on
another
IANE
annual
Services)
for
to
province, to the Brandon School Division, the
Immigrant
Fair
has been working on the
The
programming
to
Chris Finley, Chair of the Workforce Alignment Committee
Prompt Payment legislation being spearheaded by
Tanya LaBuick, Chair of the Government Relations Committee MLA Reg Helwer." -
Do you want to get involved? Contact the Chamber to learn more about our volunteering opportunities
Board Nominations Now Open The Brandon Chamber of Commerce will be accepting nominations for election of six (6) directors for a two (2) year term of office, commencing June 1, 2022. To
be
eligible
for
nomination
to
the
Brandon
Chamber
of
Commerce Board of Directors, the nominee must be a member (or a authorized representative of a member business) in good standing with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Nominees must be committed to the mission and goals of the Chamber, attend and actively participate
in
regularly
scheduled
meetings,
and
become
involved in one or more Chamber Committees or projects.
For more information on board and director responsibilities and the election process, please visit brandonchamber.ca or call 204 571 5340
*The Government Relations Committee hosted Mathew Gustafson Acting Superintendent Chief Executive Office of the Brandon School Division to discuss graduation rates. (March 2022) CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2022
03
Membership Matters Horizon Glass Ltd. What exactly does your organization do?
Horizon Glass Ltd. 1040 - 20th Street Brandon, MB R7B 1M8 (204) 725-0998 (work) glassadmin@horizonmb.ca horizonglassltd.com
Horizon Glass is a Residential and Commercial glazing contractor. We work on all things windows, doors, automated entrances, hardware and service.
Reactive Massage Therapy
What is the most challenging part of your job?
640 Rosser Avenue
Not one challenge in particular sticks out, there are many. However, if I had to say one, it would be the volatility of the global supply chain.
Brandon, MB R7A 0K7 (204) 571-0949 (work) rmt04@me.com
What are the goals for your organization?
reactivemassage.com
Supporting our communities needs while achieving sustainable growth.
What is a product or service your organization provides that people might not know about? Automated entrance accessibility. We offer a solution for people and businesses that support individuals with mobility challenges.
Infinite Properties Inc. Unit E 1300-18th Street, Suite 400 Brandon, MB R7A 6X7 (204) 761-7750 (work) dorothy@infinitepropertiesinc.com
What are the most important issues facing your organization today?
infinitepropertiesinc.com
Understanding that we are living in a world that is rapidly evolving and that business as we know or knew it might need to be looked at through a different lens. Embracing change and looking for new avenues that we may have never taken in the past.
Why is your organization a member of the Chamber? Horizon Glass and staff value community much like the Chamber. It is important now more than ever to be connected, to have the ability to support one another.
"I love belonging to the Chamber because of the people and the speakers at the luncheons. It is easy to get focused on the day to day operations but these monthly events give us a chance to visit and learn."
Feastify 606 Louise Ave E Brandon, MB R7A 1X5 (431) 804-0871 (work)
NEW MEMBERS
new Member Story
chris@feastify.com feastify.com
Dear Member, Membership renewals start June 1, 2022. In partnership,
The Brandon Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2022
04
Open Letter: Ottawa needs to get serious about cybersecurity. Right. Now. Letter to Ministers | Feb 28, 2022 | The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Canada’s more
political
leadership
engaged
and
must
serious
get
about
Canadian cybersecurity, now.
Institute survey, 92 percent of Canadians
increasing
say
Canadian
the
federal
government
needs
to
prioritize investments in cybersecurity.
sizes
in
complexity
companies,
and
and
scale.
businesses
technology
leaders
of
all
from
all
walks of life are eager to contribute their Canadians
about
As members of the Canadian Chamber of
expertise
falling victim to a cyber-attack than just
Commerce Cyber. Right. Now. campaign,
growing threat.
about
we urge the Government of Canada to
and
are
more
anything
else,
including
COVID
and
To give credit where it’s due, the federal government to-date has provided about
can blame them? Cyber criminals have
following three actions to ensure that our
$1.5 billion total in funding to the Canada
successfully,
infrastructure is resilient to cyber-attacks
Revenue
and
Development
hospitals,
infrastructure
schools,
targeted
including
transit
the
persistent
the
repeatedly,
to
this
federal
and
according
combat
raise the bar on cybersecurity in the 2022
critical
change,
to
2021 Edelman Trust Barometer. And who
our
climate
worried
systems,
our and
budget
that
grow
our
as
by
undertaking
economy
one
of
can
the
continue
world’s
to
most
Agency,
Economic
and
Social
Canada,
Communications
Security
the
Establishment,
local and federal governments causing
innovative, vibrant and secure places to
and Shared Services Canada in Budget
significant
do business.
2021
disruption
to
essential
services. Secure Not
to
bolster
government’s
only
were
exponentially
essential
disrupted,
services
but
these
critical
the
scope
for
the
figure
will
scope
of
that
Grow
vital
intellectual
on
by
investing
par
with
our
the the
economy
by
not
sufficiently
Canada’s
federal
address
weaknesses.
government
were
the
Even to
if
only
accelerating
concern itself with its own safety (which
the commercialization of cybersecurity
would be unwise), the approach is still far
personal information about our finances
innovation
too
—
trading partners; and
and
even
government’s Security
our
children.
chief
of
The
highly
But
G7
data
and
the This
funding was very narrow and the dollar
peers;
property,
important.
of
defences.
in
threats
and at times irreversible loss of sensitive information,
was
parts
cyber
cyber
cybersecurity
health
supply
some
chains, and businesses of all sizes from
attacks resulted in the harmful exposure
includes
infrastructure,
own
federal
Communications
Establishment
and
with
our
narrow.
conducting
Canada’s
cybersecurity
Consider
that
business
with
organizations the
federal
government are prime targets of supply
workforce by investing in cybersecurity
chain
education,
increase
cybercrime is the “most prevalent, most
retention and programs that diversify
2021.
pervasive
and expand the cyber workforce.
supply chain in the United States allowed
to
Shelly
Canada
Bruce has gone on record stating that
threat
(CSE),
Bolster
in
Canadians
and
talent
development,
Canadian businesses.” What more needs to happen to prompt government to get serious about cybersecurity?
These
sorts
of
attacks
have
been
escalating over the past few years, and the
vast
calling
majority
for
urgent
of
Canadians
action
to
attacks of
For
and
42%
in
saw the
example,
a first
weak
significant quarter
links
in
of the
hackers to exploit and gain control of the The
goal
of
the
Cyber.
Right.
Now.
Solar
Winds
infrastructure
campaign, backed by over two dozen of Canada’s leading technology companies
critical infrastructure for months.
and
cybersecurity
organizations
are
world leader in cybersecurity. We believe
secure
that every individual and organization in Canada
According to a recent Angus Reid
against cyber threats, which are only
deserves
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2022
robust
significantly
Colonial impacted
from
across the country, is to make Canada a
Canada’s public and private IT systems.
which
and
Pipelines,
protection
Protecting
Canadians
means
more
than
just protecting the federal government.
Continued on Page 8 05
events
"Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time." - Alan Collins
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
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First Friday Coffee
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Easter Monday (Chamber Office Open)
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Luncheon: Economic Future of Rural Manitoba
139th Annual Award Show
Chamber 101 Workshop
27
Good Friday (Chamber Office Closed)
28 Luncheon: 29 State of
Administrative Professionals Day
16 23 30
the Province
Please note that all dates, times, speakers and locations are subject to change. Stay connected to stay up to date.
SMILE! Chamber 01
connection
3 NETWORKING TIPS
Simply the easiest way to draw people to you or enter a conversation. Your smile and authentic self will go a long way toward a positive first impression.
02
COME PREPARED Before the event, check out the guest list and learn about the other attending businesses. Want to break the ice? Open a conversation with an prepared anecdote about you and your business.
03
GET SOCIAL! Active on social media? Looking for content? Give your followers a first hand account of your experience. Take a selfie, tag a new contact - engage in a new way!
REGISTER FOR ALL EVENTS AT BRANDONCHAMBER.CA or CALL 204 571 5340 *Please note that things change! Dates, times, speakers, locations and formats can change and/or be cancelled. In-person Chamber events follow by the most current Manitoba Public Health regulations. To learn more about how we are keeping you safe, visit brandonchamber.ca. Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Call Erin @ 204 571 5343 or email events@brandonchamber.ca CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2022
06
Mark Your Calendars
33 ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT rd
save the date: June 15, 2022 Wheat City Golf Course shot gun start Host Sponsor:
We offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities at all of our events. CALL US 204 571 5340 When your business sponsors a Brandon Chamber Event, you are met with an unrivaled platform to profile your business and build brand awareness.
Who will take the trophy this year? The team from Robinson Cancade Private Wealth Inc. a Division of Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. won in 2021! CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2022
07
Chamber at a Glance is published twelve times per year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce 1043 Rosser Avenue | Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 Phone: (204) 571-5340 | Fax: (204) 571-5347 info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca
Continued from Page 5 With
the
Canada
pace
of
simply
digitalization
cannot
afford
accelerating
to
leave
our
globally
–
businesses,
especially
since
infrastructure
March
and
2020
–
communities
exposed to cyber threats. Cybersecurity has never been more vital to both our country’s national security and economic potential. A spotlight on cybersecurity in the 2022 federal budget can help position Canada as a global leader in cybersecurity. It’s time for Ottawa to demonstrate that the government understands the full scope of the challenge before us and
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barry Cooper | President Heritage Co-op Tanya LaBuick | Vice-President CW2 Construction Guardian Fencing LaBuick & Co. Jaime Pugh | Secretary-Treasurer MNP LLP
is seriously committed to addressing it nationally.
The time to act on cybersecurity is right now.
This open letter is from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Cyber. Right. Now. campaign. The campaign is supported by, BlackBerry, Microsoft Canada, Cisco, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Calian, eSentire,
General
Dynamics
Mission
SystemsCanada,
Innovapost,
Terranova
Security,
Beauceron
Security, the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange, Communitech, CyberNB, the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Cycura, CYDEF, Difenda, F12.net, Field Effect, FWDSEC, Hitachi ID, Idealogical Systems Inc., Nirico Systems Inc., the Institute for Cybersecurity & Resilient Systems at Ontario Tech, OPTIV, RHEA Group, RiskAware, rSolutions, Turbo IT, and the Women CyberSecurity Society
Spencer Day | Past President Progressive Westman Matt Berg Livingstone Outdoor Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd. Andrea Epp Epp Law Office Chris Finley Mazergroup Tilda Fortier Greenstone Building Products Aida Harrison Aida's Catering Ryan Jacobson Affordable Storage Brandon Forbidden Flavours Roastery Meredyth Leech Leech Group Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd. Lois Ruston R&M Homes Ltd. CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade General Manager Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations
Who We Are: The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the
Erin Houck Events & Program Coordinator Britney McNamee Office Coordinator
grassroots level.
Our Mission: To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.