February 2015
2015 Mayor’s State of the City Address Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce February 2015
Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce
Social Media www.facebook.com/princealbertchamber
Get in Touch Tel: 306-764-6221 Email: chamberpa@sasktel.net
BOARD OF A Message from the CEO, Merle Lacert Hello Members, I hope everyone’s new year has been off to a great start. Our warm winter has been a real pleasure and welcome change from the extended cold we normally experience. The Chamber has been very busy with events and workshops. We just completed our annual “State of the City Address” with keynote speaker, Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne. This event drew a record number 330 attendees. Our ‘Understanding Treaties – Opportunity for Doing Business with First Nations’ workshop on February 24 is set to be a fabulous interactive event aimed at clarifying First Nations history, Treaties, and culture. It will demonstrate how an improved understanding can accelerate collaboration and business opportunities. The workshop will be facilitated by Mr. John Lagimodiere, owner of ACS Consulting and the editor of Eagle Feather News. The province’s Treaty Commissioner, Mr. George Lafond, will be the guest speaker. The goal of the workshop is to remove the myths and misconceptions about the Aboriginal community and replace them with facts in an effort to promote change and strengthened relationships. The Chamber is also continuing its efforts and focus on infrastructure. The Chamber is honored to be working with various partners such as the City of Prince Albert, Town of Shellbrook, surrounding Rural Municipalities, the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Department of Highways as a collective Regional Bridge Committee. Efforts have focused on sharing insights, the collection of information and statistics that will assist in developing the future plans needed to not only strengthen our infrastructure, but grow it to meet future demands. Continued on Page 19 February 2015
DIRECTORS Board Chair Shelley Cannon Novus Law Group
Past Chairman Mike Mitchell Tyrone Pest Control
First Vice Chair Greg Breeze Affinity Insurance Second Vice-Chair/ Secretary Treasurer Gord Jahn MNP
Board Appointed Robert Bratvold Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division
Elected Board Members Bruce Vance, Prince Albert Raider Hockey Club Ian Litzenberger, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Meghan Mayer, Salon Six Garrett Lawless, Transwest Air James Milne Arnot, Heffernan Slobodian Tracy Feher Feher Financial Inc.
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Mayor Greg Dionne Delivers State of the City Address Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne delivered his annual State of the City Address January 29. More than 330 people were in attendance at the Ches Leach Lounge to hear the Mayor’s speech. Some key points addressed in his address included: Administrative Team We start off 2015 with a fully-staffed senior administrative team. Within the last year, the City has welcomed 13 new senior employees. These employees also join our new City Manager, Jim Toye, who started last year. The new team has been given a clear set of expectations from City Council. We have challenged our Administration to move beyond the status quo and to do things differently. We want change, we want innovation, and we want improved customer service. These are our expectations and Jim has committed to leading the change. City Council All Councilors have the same goal – to make Prince Albert a better place. Each Councilor is an individual and brings a new perspective to the table. Budget and Taxes In 2015, Council passed the lowest tax increase in Saskatchewan at 2.57%. The removal of the Pineview Terrace Levy will bring the amount down even further which means any home with a value under $225,000 will have an increase no higher than 1%. Commercial taxes are also adjusted, with over 50% of commercial properties experiencing a decrease in 2015. The Mayor’s Office leads the way in reducing the overall tax impact. $187,700 was the annual budget with the last Mayor and $156,288 is the budget today, including the Mayor’s salary. Paving Base Tax The $189 roadways base tax that you see on your tax bill has funded the repaving of 152 blocks in Prince Albert (Wow!) Economic Development Right now, we have more land under contract for possible development than ever before and continue to receive many more inquiries. Watch for announcements in 2015. Business and Development In 2014 the value of construction was up from $29M to $50M and the number of units built in Prince Albert was up as well, from 112 to 251. Business is also up with a 12% increase in the number of active businesses in Prince Albert in 2014 compared to 2013.
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Mayor Greg Dionne Delivers 2015 State of the City Address
Prince Albert City Manager Jim Toye introduces Mayor Greg Dionne Jan. 29 before the 2015 State of the City Address.
Students from both Wesmor Community School and Rivier Academy attended the address. February 2015
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Prince Albert-area MLAs Nadine Wilson, Victoria Jurgens and Darryl Hickie stand with Mayor Greg Dionne, and Chamber CEO Merle Lacert.
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Chamber Board of Directors 2014-2015 Executive Officers Chairman: Shelley Cannon, Novus Law Group Past Chairman: Mike Mitchell, Tyrone Pest Control First Vice Chair Greg Breeze, Affinity Insurance Second Vice Chair /Secretary Treasurer: Gord Jahn, MNP Board Appointed: Robert Bratvold, Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division
Elected Board Members Bruce Vance: Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club Ian Litzenberger: Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Meghan Mayer: Salon Six Garrett Lawless: Transwest Air James Milne: Arnot Heffernan Slobodian Law Tracy Feher: Feher Financial Inc.
Staff Merle Lacert, CEO Danica Jessie, Executive Assistant Charlene Tebbutt, Communications Coordinator
February 2015
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Building Operators Workshop Would you like your building to be more comfortable AND have lower utility bills? The Saskatchewan Environmental Society, Affinity Credit Union, and the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to help non-profit organizations and small businesses learn how to operate their buildings more efficiently. This one-day seminar is suitable for anyone who operates a building, from the executive director to the facility manager. Learn how to effectively operate lighting, electrical equipment, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, and reduce water use. Sponsored and hosted by Affinity Credit Union, you can attend this seminar for only $30 per person. Participants receive:
6 hours of training,
A 100 page manual on efficient building operation,
a certificate of completion,
lunch and nutrition breaks March 6, 2015 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Prince Albert Travelodge 900 22nd Street East
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February 2015
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February 2015
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February 2015
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Congratulations! To Jeanette Eddolls, board chair with Catholic Family Services. Jeanette was named Prince Albert’s 2014 Citizen of the Year for her volunteer contributions to the local community. Kudos! To Riverside Hyundai for their recent donation of $500 to the Prince Albert Food Bank. The dealership made the donation following a store promotion to donate $1 for each new like on their social media pages. Best Wishes! To John Morash, who was named the executive director at the Prince Albert SPCA last month. Congratulations! To PA Software. They celebrated 20 years in business in January. Hats Off! To Prince Albert realtors Kevin Wouters and Carmen Cartier who were recently named to the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors. Kevin Wouters, with Century 21 Prestige Real Estate, will serve as vice-president of the association. Cartier, from Icon Realty in Prince Albert, joins the board as a director.
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is accepting applications for the 2015 edition of the BDC Young Entrepreneur
Award. Canadian business owners aged 18 to 35 will compete for a grand prize of $100,000 and a second prize of $25,000 in consulting services from BDC. The deadline to enter the contest is March 18, 2015. For more information about the awards program, please click here.
February 2015
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February 2015
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Taking Safety to the Next Level Every business owner knows that a good business depends on many factors. One is good employees, but good employees also need to be safe employees. Making the workplace safe can include safety meetings, information posters in the lunch room, opportunities for training, including First Aid courses, or adding equipment such as AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator). An AED is a small compact computerized device that, in the event of someone collapsing from a possible sudden cardiac arrest, can be used to “shock” the heart to resume normal operation. You’ll see AEDs in many public locations such schools, churches, community rinks, shopping centers, doctors’ offices and maybe even your accountant has one! An AED depends on three simple parts. First, someone recognizes an emergency and places a call for help, usually to 9-1-1. Two, someone starts chest compressions as one part of CPR. Three, someone locates the AED, brings it to the collapsed person and turns on the device. It is as easy as 1-2-3 but you are the key component. None of this is possible without your help. An AED is so easy to use you should never be scared of making a mistake. The only mistake you can make is not going to get the device and not turning the device on. Once the device is turned the machine will tell you what to do: such as reminding you to call for help, attach some sticky patches to the person’s bare chest, and remind you to do chest compressions. Most people are scared to perform CPR because they have to breathe into a stranger’s mouth. If you can wake the person up and they are not breathing or breathing normally, put one of your hands in the center of their chest and your other hand on top of the first. Push down hard and fast and don’t stop. Invite one of our team members from Parkland Ambulance to visit you for a short presentation. Ten minutes or 30 minutes, whatever you can offer, our team members can share real personal stories about how simple steps like learning first aid, starting chest compressions or recognizing the emergency can be to helping a co-worker or customer in your business. The presentation is absolutely free and a few simple steps can make the difference to a healthier, safer workplace. Call 306-953-8358 or email lyle@parklandambulance.com for more information. February 2015
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Tickets are now available for the Chamber’s Legacy Brunch and the Samuel McLeod Business Awards Gala. To register for these exciting upcoming events, call the Chamber at 306-764-6222 or register online.
Legacy Brunch
Samuel McLeod Business Awards
March 19, 2015 April 23, 2015
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Female Business Leader of the Year
Business Transformation
New Venture
Non-Profit Organization Community Involvement
Service Award
Marketing
Tourism Award Business of the Year
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Prince Albert SPCA & Boston Pizza Team Up for Local Fundraiser The Prince Albert SPCA and Boston Pizza are partnering on a new fundraiser to raise money to help control the local animal population. The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $20,000 to build awareness about the importance of having your pets spayed and neutered. Money raised from the event will also be put toward the Boston Pizza Future Prospects Fund, which assists five charities. Those interested in raising money for the campaign are asked to pick up a pledge sheet at either the Boston Pizza or SPCA locations to collect donations. For every $100 raised, Boston Pizza will issue a coupon for a free spaghetti and meatball meal. All pledge sheets and donations should be handed in by Thursday, Feb. 12. A kennel will then be set up inside the Prince Albert Boston Pizza restaurant from Feb. 3 to Feb. 7 and then again from Feb. 9 to Feb. 13. Everyone is encouraged to volunteer to be captured in the kennel. They will then spend time phoning friends to collect donations. The person who collects the most money will win a free entry for a team of four to the SPCA Fore-for-Pets Celebrity Golf Tournament in July.
Prince Albert’s Newest Music Festival Seeking Sponsors The Prince Albert Tourism & Marketing Bureau is planning a three-day music festival at Kinsmen Park over the August Long Weekend. The Borealis Festival will feature performances from more than a dozen popular, world-class performers and is expected to draw more than 15,000 people to the city. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the Borealis Festival. Advertising options are now available at a number of different levels. To learn more about this exciting new event and how you can take part, please contact Abe Lancaster, Event Coordinator 306-981-6033 or by email at borealisfestival@gmail.com.
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February 2015
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PAPHR Invites You to Share Giving Moments Health Region’s Meals on Wheels clients need support Two words adorn the Governor General of Canada’s coat of arms: Contemplare Meliora. Translated, it means: To envision a better world. Those words, says Governor General David Johnston, “sum up the history of Canada, a place where people have always come together to help.” In collaboration with The Rideau Hall Foundation, he created My Giving Moment, a campaign to celebrate – and generate – giving of all sorts. Opportunities to give can be found anywhere, Johnston says. He and his team call them “Giving Moments”. The Prince Albert Parkland Region has many ways that individuals and groups can create their own Giving Moments. If your staff, co-workers, teammates or community service groups are looking for ways to get involved, Meals on Wheels is an ideal team project. A commitment of one to three lunch hours per month is an excellent activity to boost staff morale and build a stronger work team. Registration is easy and the rewards are many. Later, your group can inspire others by sharing their Giving Moments on the program’s website, www.mygivingmoment.ca.
If you are a business owner or staff member in Prince Albert, Birch Hills or Kinistino or one of their surrounding communities and you would like to get your team involved in volunteering, please call the Prince Albert Health Region’s Volunteer Services Department at 306-765-6010 or contact by email at volunteers@paphr.sk.ca.
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New Website Connects Young Job Seekers with Employers Employers are invited to create an online profile of their business, including local job opportunities, to connect with youth seeking career information and opportunities. The new site is supported by the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce, along with the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and both the Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada. Learn more at www.saskcareers.ca.
A Message from the CEO Continued from Page 2 The City and its partners recently commissioned a report by Vmax Management that reviewed and detailed the economic benefits of a Second Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River near the City of Prince Albert. The City is working to complete a full inspection on the Diefenbaker Bridge this spring or summer. Other information sought will be traffic counts that will assist in identifying usage numbers and the areas with the most congestion. As an example, last fall over the thanksgiving weekend, the Diefenbaker bridge realized a new daily record of 32,000 vehicles across it. Combining all these insights will assist in expanding discussions around the risks, needs and plans to be overcome, in order to move forward with plans for reliable crossings over the North Saskatchewan river. The Chamber and its partners look forward to hosting a community summit this fall once all important information and statistics can be accumulated. We are continuing efforts with our Samuel McLeod Business Awards and look forward to announcing our Business finalists on Thursday March 19, 2015. The 25th Annual Awards Gala on April 23, 2015 is going to be a great event. I encourage everyone to come out and participate to show support for the excellent businesses we have in our community. In addition to the many events we host, the Chamber is very active in meeting with community stakeholders. Recently, we participated in a pre-budget roundtable with our MP, Mr. Randy Hoback. We are also continuing discussions and sharing insights with the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region as they continue plans to achieve the needed growth at the Victoria Hospital. The Chamber continues to be engaged in multiple aspects that affect our community’s strength and plans for growth. We are working hard to contribute to the much needed collaboration that assists our community in planning and growing for tomorrow. February 2015
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February 2015
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WHITROW STOBBS & ASSOCIATES Professional Accountants
February 2015
RELIABLE ADVICE & SOLUTIONS 144 12th St. East Prince Albert Phone: 306.764.2773 ...ACCOUNTING...TAXATION...CORPORATE SERVICES...
Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce
Financial
Statements Corporate
Tax Audits
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Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors As a proud member of the Prince Albert community, our team of chartered accountants and business advisors continue to grow to meet your unique needs. National in scope and local in focus, we take the time to understand your challenges and deliver personalized solutions that help you achieve your goals. Our diverse services include:
Assurance
Consulting
Corporate Finance
Corporate Recovery & Insolvency
Enterprise Risks
Investigative & Forensic Services
Succession
Tax & Specialty Tax
Valuation & Litigation Support
For more information contact a local MNP advisor at 306.764.6873 February 2015
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Global Property Inspections Prairie North Surplus Congratulations to renewed Members for January Assemblee Communautaire Fransaskoise
Patricia Weir Financial Planning
Beau Lac Funeral Home Ltd.
Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies
Catholic Family Services
Prakash Consulting
Children's Choice Child Care Coop
Prairie North Surplus
Designer Paws Grooming
Prince Albert Community Foundation
Eastbourne Investments
Prince Albert Coop Association Ltd.
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Prince Albert Pulp Inc.
Happy Camper RV
Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club
Holash Logue
Prince Albert Tourism & Marketing Bureau
Houle Furniture & Appliances
ReMax PA Realty
Humpty Dumpty Child Care
Rural Municipality of Prince Albert no.461
North Star Trophies
South Hill Animal Clinic
Nutters Bulk & Natural Foods
South Hill Chiropractic Clinic
P.A. Rental & Leasing Services Ltd.
Town of Shellbrook
Parkland Ambulance Care Ltd.
Venice House Restaurant
Thank you! Your continued support of your local Chamber makes it possible for us to work on your behalf, and we want you to know we value your commitment!
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Calendar of Events << Sun
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Prince Albert & District Community Futures Networking Luncheon
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ter Festival events Prince Albert WinPrince Albert & ter Festival events Prince Albert Win- Prince Albert Winter District Commu- Prince Albert Winter Festival events Festival events ter Festival events nity Futures "Brown Bag" Lunch
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Understanding Treaties- Doing Business with First Nations Candian Challenge Sled Dog Race
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The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan is the #1 plan in Canada! For employee benefits, covering over 25,000 small businesses across the country. ALL types of businesses are eligible for the program no industry exclusions! Call 306-922-4414 today to find out how much money your business can save!
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Chamber Staff
Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce 3700 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 2nd Avenue West Prince Albert, SK S6W 1A2
Merle Lacert CEO Danica Jesse Executive Assistant
T: 306.764.6222 F: 306.922.4727 www.princealbertchamber.com
February 2015
Charlene Tebbutt Communications Coordinator
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