MOMENTUM
CHAMBER REVIEW
2020 - 2021
THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
CEO & CHAIR MESSAGE We are Saskatoon’s voice for business, representing a powerful network of businesses, organizations and community-minded leaders who want the best for their city. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair, Carla Browne Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc. 1st Vice-Chair, Graham Snell Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan 2nd Vice-Chair, Colton Wiegers Wiegers Financial & Benefits Past-Chair, Chris Sicotte AON Reed Stenhouse CeCe Baptiste Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) Todd A. Denzin Nutrien Katrina German KatrinaGerman.com Joseph Gill McKercher LLP Juan Godinez ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd. Tara McKeown Conexus Credit Union Adam McInnes Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated Sandra Ribeiro Canadian Light Source Inc. Heather Ryan Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL) Tanis Taylor CCA Consulting
STAFF Jason Aebig, CEO Margot Orr, Director of Policy and Government Relations Terry Lawrence, Business Manager Roz Macala, Office Manager Treena Skaalid, Events Manager Henry Buitrago, Marketing & Communications Manager Pamela Kenny, Member Relations Manager
Much will be written about the challenges we faced as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world, threatening all lives and livelihoods in its path. Not a single person or country was spared. In its wake, families and communities were turned upside down. Economies were ground to a halt. Promising new ventures and entrepreneurs were stopped in their tracks. Businesses were forced to “pivot” while attending to the safety of their employees, customers and families. The effects of COVID-19 were real, widespread and unprecedented – and they will be felt for a long time. While too many good businesses were unable to stay afloat, many more were able to weather the storm. Well-timed government investments – and an outpouring of “buy local” community support – helped propel many of Saskatoon’s businesses through the darkest days of 2020. For the rest of the journey, grit, creativity and determination carried them to shore. It’s said: when you’re in a sea of trouble, keep paddling. And that’s exactly what they did. Inspired by their example, we did too. We buckled down, bailed water and kept our oars in the water day after day – helping members, mounting events, lobbying for targeted COVID assistance and pushing against calls to close businesses and our economy. Our lights and our team stayed “on” through the pandemic and, together, we cut through the waves and came through the other side: • We provided personal outreach and direct support to over 1,300 members, helping them assess COVID supports and other relief programs. • We stabilized our budget and retained over 90% of our membership. • We re-established partnerships with the Indigenous Chamber of Saskatchewan (ICCS) and Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE). • We programmed a full suite of online events featuring community and business leaders. • We introduced new SABEX awards to our line-up and made it easier than ever to apply. • We negotiated new affinity and savings programs for members coming in Fall 2021. • We launched a “Totally Locally” buy local initiative that will be expanded this year. • We powered up our approach to advocacy, holding the line on commercial tax increases, advancing issues like SMR and the proposed entertainment district, and securing COVID relief for small and medium-size businesses. Looking ahead, we’re eager to build on our renewed strength and momentum, focused on delivering exceptional member value and building a Chamber worthy of the great city we call home. The sky is clearing. The shore is in sight. Momentum is on your side – and so are we.
2020 CHAMBER REVIEW is a publication of the
Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce 110-345 4th Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1N3 Phone: (306) 244-2151 chamber@saskatoonchamber.com www.saskatoonchamber.com Follow us on social media: @TheChamberYXE Copyright 2021
Jason Aebig, CEO
Carla Browne, Chair
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 2020
1,389
BY THE NUMBERS 1,494 2019
138
The Chamber has been t h e Vo i c e o f Business in Saskatoon for
39
NEW Members
Events put on by the 2017 Saskatoon 1,449 Chamber
1,883
118
2016
176 1,430
178
Elegible voters for the 2021-22 Board of Directors Election
YEARS
32.2%
2018
1,466
2,571
120 100
1,389
80
2019
40
60
1,494
153
20 0
2018
1,466
176
Canidates ran for the 2021-22 Board of Directors
9
180 140
2020
13 181
Certificate ofNEW OriginMEMBERS export documents 200 signed by the Chamber
Business Voice issues
180 178 176 Reporting Period: January 2020 - May 2021
160
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP
141
Eblast Open Rate
141 FISCAL YEAR GROSS REVENUE
2020 91
$1,010,003
2019
$1,401,335
2018
$1,448,177
$1,163,964 2017 2020 2019 2018 1 2 3 2016
Series1
2017 4
2016 5
6
$1,122,203
2017
1,449 176
178
141
181
153
176
2016
REVENUE BY TYPE
1,430
NEW MEMBERS 200 180
180
160
178
176
140
56% Membership Dues 141
120
FISCAL YEAR GROSS REVENUE
100 80 60 40 20 0
91
2020
$1,010,003
2019
$1,401,335
$1,448,177 2018 2020 2019 2018 1 2 3 2017
$1,163,964
2016
$1,122,203
11,655
F
Series1
22% Rebates & Royalties 14% Events & Projects 2017 4
2016 5
6
Fiscal Year: January - December 2020 SOCIAL MEDIA
3,530
REVENUE BY TYPE
Social Media Followers
8% Publications & Other
d 2,029 Õ
3,494
j
2,568
ù 34
2020-21 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carla Browne
Graham Snell
Colton Wiegers
Chris Sicotte
CeCe Baptiste
Todd Denzin
Katrina German
Joseph Gill
Chair Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc.
Director Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)
Juan Godinez
Director ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd.
First Vice-Chair Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan
Director Nutrien
Tara McKeown
Director Conexus Credit Union
Second Vice-Chair Wiegers Financial & Benefits
Director KatrinaGerman.com
Dr. Adam McInnes Director Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated
Past-Chair AON Reed Stenhouse
Director McKercher LLP
Sandra Ribeiro Director Canadian Light Source Inc.
Members play an important role in setting the direction of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce by nominating and electing other members to the board each year. This annual, city-wide election sets the Chamber apart from other groups and associations, reinforcing its unique role as Saskatoon’s voice for business.
Heather Ryan
Director Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL)
Tanis Taylor
Director CCA Consulting
We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of our 2020-2021 Directors for their leadership and service to Saskatoon’s business community this past year. Our Chamber is stronger and better, thanks to you.
JANUARY 2020 - MAY 2021 NEW MEMBERS 222's Fastpitch Inc. Academy Studios Active AgriScience Inc. ADESA Saskatoon AEL Electric Ltd. Amra Dedic Realtor - Realty Executives Saskatoon AquaTemp Arbour Crest Tree Services Ltd. Axxis Motorsports Basic Truck & Trailer Repair Incorporated Bayliss Construction Ltd. Belong Lifestyle BerryFirst Natural Products Ltd. BLOK Dental Studio Breakout Escape Rooms and Board Game Lounge Brock Canada Cafooda International Ltd. Cambridge Homes Inc. Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan Carol Reynolds Communications CDS Group of Companies Central Avenue Health Centre Christina Cherneskey Communications CNIB Foundation Concept3 Business Interiors Connect Architecture Continuity CPM Group Dakota Dunes Resort Daycome Pharmaceuticals Ltd. dB Consulting Ltd. Destinate Group DJB Transportation Services Inc. Dr. Myat Tun Lin Nyo Medical Prof. Corp. Dr. Perry Kurz, Orthodontist Enterprises Holdings Inc. Ernest Plumbing, Heating and Full Home Service ET Works Canada Ltd. Evolution Electrical Products Inc. Evolve Family Law Exquisitely Clean Service Fable Ice Cream Family Business Association of Saskatoon (FBAS) Family Legacy Advisory Group Fast Consulting Fitness 2J2 Flooring + Home Flooring Cache Ltd. Flynn Group of Companies Frances Murphy Fresh Dish Catering Freshslice Pizza Glassworks 360 Globex Management Corp. Government of Saskatchewan - Ministry of Central Services GP Miller Strategic Finance Haven Family Connections Incorporated HearingLife House Creative Media Company HST Trading Ltd. imperial Janitorial Services Ltd. Innovation Credit Union Innovative Stonecraft Inc. International Indigenous Speakers Bureau Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan Islamic Association of Saskatchewan Jamaica Food Basket JDS Building Supply Ltd. Jill Sauter Marketing & Communications
Jother Contracting Ltd. Just B Coaching & Consulting K.I.B. Cleaning Services Ltd. Kahkewistahaw Economic Management LP Keepsake Keto Candies & Chocolates Kingsmere Financial KY Fitness and Nutrition Inc. Laserology Skin Clinic LBF Business Consulting Living Skies Cannabis MAG Entertainment Corp. Martin Charlton Communications Maschek Billiards Mayfair Diagnostics MetCredit Metis Nation - Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. Neesh Dental Next Level Benefits OpenSail Digital Agency Park Derochie Coatings (Saskatchewan) Inc. Pelmac Stables Popeye's Supplements Saskatoon Prairie Bliss Botanicals & Laser Ltd. Prairie Harm Reduction Prairie Road Solutions Inc. Premium Fire Protection Ltd. PRIMECom Corporation Protein Powered Farms Inc. Push Interactions Raj Manek Mentorship Program Refreshen Web Design Restaurant Kashmere Rivercity Technology Services Ltd. Ryan S & E Trusted Online Directories San McNakar Consulting Inc. Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association Saskatoon Dermatology Centre Saskatoon ENT Clinic Saskatoon Medical Imaging Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel Sixteen Safety Services Inc. Smart Earth Camelina Corp. Smokerbroker Holdings Ltd. SMT Business Strategies SST Trucking St. Paul's Hospital Foundation Staples Canada (8th St) Stardust Clothing and Accessories Sunnyville Farms Ltd. Sure Shot HDD Contracting Sutherland Beer & Wine Store SymmetryPR TCC Building Construction Management The Print Baron The Teacher's Trunk Store Ltd. Tim Hortons Tony Banik, CPA Prof. Corp. TPK Management Consulting Inc. Union Freight Forwarders Limited Verolingo Communications ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd. Winmar Saskatoon WINTERSTEIGER Wow Pizza YXL Real Estate Investments
ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS TAXATION • 2021 Provincial Property Tax Revaluation Consultation Made recommendations to improve transparency and lower the level of complexity. • Municipal Property Tax Ratio Advocated for a favourable non-residential to residential tax ratio, setting the tone for accelerating economic recovery. • Commercial Contingencies Supported contingencies for 2020 and 2021 while encouraging admin to find efficiencies and decrease number of appeals.
BUSINESS SUPPORT • Mandatory Masks The Chamber advocated for mandatory masks in public spaces. • Deferral of Property Taxes and Utility Payments Extended deferral and repayment of property taxes and utilities on a municipal and provincial level. • COVID-19 Related Supports Advocated for numerous other initiatives/programs including but not limited to: Changing labour relation laws, a Provincially funded rent bank, changes to CEWS, the lifting of the suspension of evictions, for supports to be extended to new businesses etc.
INVESTMENT
C
• Downtown Entertainment District Consultation with stakeholders and lobbying for the creation of a Downtown Joint Use Facility and Entertainment District.
•R
IN
•S h a t •M ( c
ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS
CRIME AND SAFETY
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
FISCAL MANAGEMENT
• Retail Theft Outreach with community on theft leading to further collaboration with SPS. • Saweyihtotan Supported the Indigenous-led homelessness and addiction pilot project and assisted in receiving further funding for phase two. • Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) Recommended that the City develop a comprehensive Downtown policing strategy.
• See me As I Am Partnered in the national newcomer support strategy. • Local Immigration Partnership Active member in the City run group that facilitates the integration of newcomers into life in Saskatoon. • SOAR In partnership with SREDA provided grants to six promising Indigenous small businesses to assist in growing their businesses.
• Provincial & Federal Budgets Conducted a comprehensive analysis on both budgets to determine what matters most to Saskatoon business members.
ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS INNOVATION
COVID’S HARDEST HIT
GOVERNMENT PROCESSES AND EFFICIENCY
• VIDO-InterVac Provided continuous support for VIDO to expand its facility at the University of Saskatchewan. • Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Policy Resolution Resolution passed at Canadian Chamber AGM with a 96% approval encouraging further federal backing.
• Hotel Industry Support Partnered with Hospitality Saskatchewan and Tourism Saskatoon continuous initiatives have been undertaken. • Support for Canada’s Airport Recommended short-term rent relief and a longer-term stimulus package. • Support for Restaurants Partnered in national initiative identifying programs, funding and legislation needed.
• OCP Consultation Ensured alignment with Chamber priorities. • Crown and Agency Procurement in Saskatchewan Consulted on best value and transparent procurement practices.
•V V S •S R w b
EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS EVENT HIGHLIGHT SABEX: 25th Annual Premier Business Awards Gala
SUMMIT &
The Chamber celebrated the contributions, strength and resiliency of our Saskatoon Business Community in a carefully designed, safe event for an evening recognizing our Community.
Presented of the Cham featured a questions t our memb
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS SUMMIT & Mayoral Debate
Ch
Presented the Roundtable findings that formed the basis of the Chamber’s Advocacy platform. The SUMMIT also featured a Mayoral Candidate Debate to bring forward questions that had been strategically designed with you, our members, in mind.
Ad As Wa Je Ke Jo
EVENT HIGHLIGHT
Chamber on Tap Series
Power Lun
Advice from those who have started up and started over. Asif Moola- Momentum Clothing Wally Start- Bamboo Shoots Jenna Dube & Taylor Morrison- Living Sky Cafe Kevin Sharfe- Sherwood Chevrolet & RV John & Barb Cote- Black Fox Farm & Distillery
A joint-use district, is o decided, wh done? Expe Sasktel Cen milestones,
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Power Lunch- Downtown Entertainment District
Pow
A joint-use facility, in a new and vibrant entertainment district, is on the horizon. Once a downtown site has been decided, what's next and how long will it take to get it done? Experts in facility development and leaders from Sasktel Centre and TCU Place, touched on the key milestones, timelines and factors that will drive the process.
A di you ees righ that
EVENT HIGHLIGHT
Power Breakfast: No Jab? No Job?
State of th
A discussion of legal options and best practices to needle you in the direction. Can employers require their employees to get a coronavirus vaccine? How can we balance the rights of employees and responsibilities of employers now that vaccine is flowing?
As we come Canada’s gr addressed t drive recove businesses
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
State of the City Address with Mayor Charlie Clark As we come out of COVID, what’s on the horizon for Canada’s greatest city? His Worship Mayor Charlie Clark addressed the current state of our city, what priorities will drive recovery and growth, and how we can help our businesses and neighbours thrive into the future.
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