VOLUME 48 I No. 5 - 6 I BUSINESS BRIEFS
2017 MAY
-
JUNE
Congratulations to 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards Tourism & Hospitality Award Recipient WindsorEats! Scott Fischburg, Director, Resort & Hotel Sales, Caesars Windsor (Sponsor) and Award Recipient Adriano Ciotoli, Co-owner, WindsorEats. Photo by John Liviero, Sooters Photography.
27th Annual Business Excellence Awards
Ontario's Fair Hydro Plan
WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation 1 I WINDSORESSEXCHAMBER.ORG
VOLUME 48 I No. 5 - 6 I BUSINESS BRIEFS VISIT THE CHAMBER ONLINE
Scan the QR barcode with your phone to visit the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber online. Or check us out directly at www.windsoressexchamber.org Share your thoughts, comment on others, pictures and links, get in on the discussion with other Windsor Essex Regional Chamber fans.
CONTENTS
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Join the Official WERCC Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Essex-RegionalChamber-of-Commerce/125412597496221
IN OUR COMMUNITY
EVENT PHOTOS
Follow the latest WERCC news & updates at twitter.com/WERCofC
OUR MISSION
SPOTLIGHT
"Leading the business community for creating regional economic prosperity." Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce 2575 Ouellette Place, Windsor, Ontario N8X 1L9 Tel: 519-966-3696 Fax: 519-966-0603 Email: info@windsoressexchamber.org Website: www.windsoressexchamber.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAFF Matt Marchand, President & CEO
mmarchand@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 222
Marianne Burke, Director of Events
mburke@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 221
Concetta DiCesare-Cafueri, Finance & Office Administrator
cdicesarecafueri@windsoressexchamber.org ext. 227
Sherri Gowman, Director of Sales & Marketing
sgowman@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 223
Caitlin Hildenbrand, Assistant to the Director of Sales & Marketing
childenbrand@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 230
Barbara Malmberg, Event Coordinator
bmalmberg@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 231
Lindsey Rivait, Communications Coordinator
lrivait@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 228
Igor Siljanoski, Policy Manager
isiljanoski@windsoressexchamber.org
ext. 229
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ADVERTISING SALES email: adsales@windsoressexchamber.org The WERCC may choose to generate revenue from many discount programs and services being provided.
Letter from the President & Chair
MATT MARCHAND PRESIDENT & CEO
Welcome to the May/June edition of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber’s Business Briefs! We just celebrated business excellence in Windsor-Essex at the premier event of the year—the 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards! We’d like to extend our congratulations to all of the finalists and award recipients. A full list of recipients can be found on page 10. The WERCC, along with the Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie Chambers of Commerce, appeared before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on International Trade in Ottawa on March 21 in view of its study of the Canadian Steel Industry’s Ability to Compete Internationally. Further, on March 27, the WERCC attended the Ontario Chamber Network’s second annual Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park in Toronto. The WERCC participated in meetings on issues such as Electricity Rates and the Energy System and Cap and Trade. Marchand participated in a breakout policy meeting on The Changing Landscape of International Trade with Cameron Sinclair, Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade Program Division, Ministry of International Trade. From May 4-7, the WERCC will be participating in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Annual General Meeting. The WERCC is cosponsoring resolutions on keeping our cost structure in Ontario competitive by addressing repercussions from cap & trade, a strategy to eliminate large trade deficits with China, and keeping the de minimis threshold low. On May 12, we are partnering with Workforce WindsorEssex on the Workforce Summit to address the skills gap. For more information on this, visit www.workforcewindsoressex.com. Coming up is our 81st Annual Golf Tournament at Pointe West Golf Club on June 5 where you can join the Chamber and leading Essex County business professionals for an elite day of golf and networking. Another networking opportunity is our After Business presented by Johnson Insurance at Wolfhead Distillery on June 15. This event is networking only. We’ll also be celebrating 141 years of operation and on June 22 will be honouring our Chair of the Board Jeff MacKinnon at Windsor’s newest premium event venue, Augustus 27 on top of Caesars Windsor. We’re also pleased to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Marty Beneteau for his business and community contribution to Windsor-Essex. Visit www.windsoressexchamber.org for all the up-to-date news and events.
JEFFREY MACKINNON CHAIR
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016-2017 Board of Directors Mr. Jeffrey MacKinnon Chair** Partner McTague Law Firm LLP Ms. Beverly Becker Director Director, Local Marketing & Special Projects Windsor Star Ms. Marie Campagna Director Executive Vice President Operations / CFO Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Mr. John T. Clark Chair Elect** Partner Clarks LLP
Mr. Irfan S. Daya Director Chair - Finance & Taxation Committee Vice President, Commercial Financial Services & Agriculture Royal Bank of Canada Mr. Steve Deneau Director Vice President - Business Development WFCU Credit Union Dr. Janice Forsyth Past Chair** President Foresight Management Consulting
Mr. Romeo Girardi Director Executive Vice President Farrow
Mr. Scott Jenkins Director Director of Advertising Caesars Windsor
Mr. Carl Hooper, CPA, CA Director Assurance and Advisory Partner Collins Barrow Windsor LLP
Ms. Maureen Lucas Vice Chair** President Lucas Professional Search Group
Mr. Benjamin Iannetta Director, Emerging Leaders Representative Business & Technical Services ProSoft XP
Mr. Rocco Lucente P Eng Director Chair - Transportation Committee Owner R Lucente Engineering Inc
Mr. Jason Ilijanic Treasurer** Director, Commercial Services WFCU Credit Union
Dr. Francine Schlosser Director Professor, Odette School of Business Executive Director, EPICentre University of Windsor
Ms. Andrea Seguin Director Director Regulatory Projects & Lands Union Gas Limited Ms. Lee Anne Doyle Director Non-Voting 1999 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Dr. Alfie Morgan Director Emeritus Non-Voting Professor Emeritus of Business Administration University of Windsor ** denotes member of executive committee
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Chamber Partners/Tech Corner
Hard at work for local business, services available to help you grow! By Adam Castle, Economic Development Coordinator, WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation “Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” - James Cash Penney Flexibility and a high level of collaboration allows my team to assist clients at any stage in their growth. While my department works exclusively with businesses of 10 or more employees, we also work with partners like the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre, who engage with startups and entrepreneurs. Locating available resources helps to ensure that even if a business doesn’t qualify for our BRE services, we can still point them in the right direction and make meaningful connections to help advance their business goals.
Below you will find the top four services my team and I provide to local businesses on a daily basis. It is important to note that the following services are accessible at no cost through the Business Retention and Expansion team for companies operating in the Windsor-Essex region. 1) Information & Research •
Market and economic trends research and data
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Networking opportunities, education, seminars and workshops relevant to local businesses
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Information on available government funding and services
After conducting hundreds of consultations, knowing how to establish a baseline is paramount to being able to serve my clients best. First I want to assess your business’s current status, then I want to start finding solutions to your barriers and ways to boost your current growth opportunities. Working in economic development for over six years, starting consultations in the same way sets us on the path to first finding goals, and then working to achieve them.
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Site selection data
These few steps are the beginning of a process used by economic development professionals known as Business Retention and Expansion (BRE). While the goals of this process are easy enough to deduce from its name, the paths that lead us to those goals are as varied and diverse as the clients who use our services. Best practice techniques for BRE adapt and change in a constant effort to be proactive to industry changes instead of reactive and requires ongoing research and professional development. As an Economic Development Coordinator, one of my favourite parts of my position is having the flexibility I need to meet my clients’ needs on their terms. This flexibility means that no two days ever look the same, and promotes collaboration which is a necessity for success. I am proud to be part of a team of experts in government relations, industrial real estate, business development, innovation and more, where the strength of our abilities comes from the sum of our parts. Working inter-office is not where our collaboration stops, however. Reaching out to our regional partners means that our clients have access to a regional economic development ecosystem comprised of many professionals all working toward strengthening our local economy.
2) Professional Advice •
General business practices
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Expansion planning
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Multi-national branch planning
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Connection to the most up-to-date information on import/export.
3) Assistance •
Connect and develop business-to-business matchmaking services
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Identify and connect to potential funding opportunities
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Help businesses network with partners and allies
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Link to educational and training resources
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Assistance in cutting through red tape by providing connections to decision-makers
4) Online Presence Enhancement •
Free business profile on the Windsor-Essex Key Sector Database and project profile on the Connect. Innovate. Develop web application at www.buywindsoressex.com
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Promotion through professional and corporate social media networks
If you think your business would benefit from these or other services visit www.choosewindsoressex.com or reach out to me directly at acastle@ choosewindsoressex.com.
Tech Corner: Windsor-Essex Tech Week Save the Date Join us and supporting partners WEtech Alliance and the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation for Windsor-Essex Tech Week from November 13 through 17! Windsor-Essex Tech Week has an early kick-off with the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation’s Emerging Technology event on October 31. We then settle in for a week of celebrating the amazing tech community in Windsor-Essex and abroad with special events with IBM’s Watson, Plex, General Motors, and more!
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Join WEtech Alliance for their YQG Tech Awards to learn even more about the tech sector in the region! Save the date! More information windsoressexchamber.org for details.
coming
soon.
Visit
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In Our Community Happy 30th anniversary to Lisa Williams of The Morning Drive with Mike and Lisa on AM800 CKLW! For more information visit www. iheartradio.ca/am800.
Congratulations to CenterLine (Windsor) Limited on their recognition by the 2017 Canada’s Best Managed Companies awards! CenterLine (Windsor) Limited is a 2017 Gold Standard winner as a previous winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2013. For more information visit www.cntrline.com.
Congratulations to the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County’s Carrousel of the Nations, which has once again been named one of Ontario’s Top 100 festivals by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO). Carrousel of the Nations occurs during the last three weekends in June, celebrating the very best in world music, world cuisine and world entertainment. For more information visit www.themcc.com.
®
Collins Barrow Leamington opened a second office in Essex at 39 Maidstone Ave. E. with the addition of two new partners to their audit, tax and advisory practice. Ed Fuerth and Brad Miehls bring over 20 years of experience in public practice to the firm and has worked extensively with clients in the Windsor-Essex area. Visit them online at www.collinsbarrow.com.
Congratulations to Farrow on their 2017 Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained the Best Managed designation for eight consecutive years. The 2017 Best Managed program recognizes the best-in-class of Canadian-owned and managed companies, demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. For further information, contact Walter Pizzolitto, Marketing Manager, Farrow at walter. pizzolitto@farrow.com.
Goodwill Industries — Essex-Kent-Lambton opened their seventh attended donation centre, located at 11075 Tecumseh Rd. E., on April 1. This will bring in three new jobs. The centre accepts gently used clothing, furniture, books including textbooks, toys, and dishes. For more information visit www.GoodwillEKL.com.
Congratulations to M & M DESIGNS Group Inc. on their grand opening on March 1 at their new location at 3395 Howard Ave., Unit 11. For more information visit www.gifts-promotions.com.
Michelle Tremblay, Managing Director of St. Clair Insurance Brokers is pleased to announce a donation of $5,500 to The Windsor Essex Cancer Society – Patient Care Assistance Program. The monies were raised at the First Annual St. Clair Insurance Brokers Curling Bonspiel. The bonspiel was prompted in memory of Michelle’s father, Frank L. Smith, who passed away from colon cancer. The bonspiel is set to be held every year on the last Tuesday in February. Many thanks to Beach Grove Golf and Country Club, the many business partners and all staff of St. Clair Insurance Brokers that participated and donated to this worthy cause to make it such a success.
Union Gas is supporting eight Ontario secondary school teams, including local schools that are participating in the FIRST Robotics Canada competition. This is Union Gas’ fifth consecutive year of support for the competitions and students as a sponsor. Visit them online at www.uniongas.com.
The University of Windsor was listed in the top spot on this year’s Huffington Post list of Canada’s Rising Stars, which lists universities expected to grow in stature. Huffington Post cited the school’s new infrastructure—in the past five years, the University of Windsor invested $333.2 million in new buildings and facilities. For more information visit www.uwindsor.ca.
Workforce WindsorEssex launched a new online tool called WEsearch that makes the process of researching business funding opportunities as well as employment services and or upgrading programs easier than ever. WEsearch simplifies the task of researching programs and services, so that businesses and job-seekers can focus on what matters most – growing their business or finding their next job. Visit www.workforcewindsoressex.com/tool.
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EVENT PHOTOS Ontario Economic Report Breakfast
Breakfast with Google
LIGHT BLUE: PANTONE 2935 C DARK BLUE: PANTONE 281 C LIGHT BLUE: PANTONE 2935 U DARK BLUE: PANTONE 281 U
Sponsored by
Photos by Snapd Windsor
10th Annual Warden's Luncheon featuring Essex County Warden Tom Bain
Sponsored by
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Photos by Sooters Photography
Sponsored by
Photos by John Liviero, Sooters photography
April After Business @ The Devonshire Keg presented by Johnson Insurance
Sponsored by
Photos by Snapd Windsor
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
C E L E B R AT I N G O U TSTA N D I N G AC H I E V E M E N T
Congratulations to the 2017 nominees and winners.
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For more information, visit postmedia.com/advertise or contact us at 1-888-332-3258.
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Business Excellence Awards Photos
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Photos by John Liviero, Sooters Photography
27th Annual Business Excellence Awards
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS The 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards, our largest event of the year, took place on April 19, 2017 and saw Caesars Windsor transformed into a magical venue. The night brought together business, government and industry leaders to celebrate business excellence in our region, drawing in over 900 Chamber members and guests for an evening of excellence. Since 1991, the Business Excellence Awards has recognized the achievements and contributions of business leaders in Windsor and Essex County. This premier business event of year recognizes professional individuals and companies who have set standards and demonstrated achievements that have contributed to the prosperity and business development in Windsor and Essex County. Twelve awards were presented at the Business Excellence Awards. Award Categories include: Small Company of the Year, Mid-Size Company of the Year, Large Company of the Year, Innovation Award, New Business of the Year, Pillars of Our Community, Professional of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, and Tourism & Hospitality Award. Also included in the awards ceremony are the recipients of the Believe Windsor Essex and ATHENA Awards. To view more event photos and to watch videos from the 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards, visit www.windsoressexchamber.org. 9 I WINDSORESSEXCHAMBER.ORG
Business Excellence Awards Recipients & Presenters
Mid-Size Company of the Year Award Recipient – Next Dimension Inc. Award Recipient Brian Pearl, President, Next Dimension Inc. and Irfan Daya, Vice President, Commercial Banking, RBC Royal Bank (Sponsor).
Tourism & Hospitality Award Recipient – WindsorEats Scott Fischburg, Director, Resort & Hotel Sales, Caesars Windsor (Sponsor) and Award Recipient Adriano Ciotoli, Co-owner, WindsorEats.
Believe Windsor Essex Award Recipient – Rosati Group Award Recipient Nick Rosati, David Woodfull, Vice President Commercial Services, WFCU Credit Union (Sponsor), and Award Recipient Tony Rosati.
Young Professional of the Year Award Recipient – Yvonne Pilon Lori Atkinson, Regional Manager Essex-Kent, Libro Credit Union (Sponsor) and Award Recipient Yvonne Pilon.
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Small Company of the Year Award Recipient – Surveyors On Site Inc. Award Recipients Mike Toupin and Chris Oyler, Owners, Surveyors On Site Inc. and Brian Parent, President, Families First (Sponsor).
Innovation Award Recipient – KeenTec NA Inc. Award Recipients Jens Oxenfarth, Engineering Manager and Hans Oxenfarth, President, KeenTec NA Inc. and Sean Collier, District Manager, Windsor/ Chatham, Union Gas Limited (Sponsor).
New Business of the Year Award Recipient – Witeck Solutions John Fairley, Vice President College and Community Relations, St. Clair College (Sponsor), Award Recipient Usman Mughal, Director Operations and Jimmy Ghelani, General Manager, Witeck Solutions.
Professional of the Year Award Recipient – Holly Ward Robert Rumfeldt, District Vice President, TD Commercial Banking, TD Bank (Sponsor) and Award Recipient Holly Ward.
Pillars of our Community Award Recipient – The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Robert Scussolin, Cogeco TV (Exclusive Broadcast Sponsor), Award Recipients Veronique Mandal, Board Chair and Carol Derbyshire, Executive Director, The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and Charles Janisse, President, Motor City Community Credit Union (Sponsor).
Large Company of the Year Award Recipient – Red Sun Farms Award Recipient Jim Di Menna, President & CEO, Red Sun Farms and Jennifer Mallen, Vice President, Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal (Sponsor).
ATHENA Award Recipient – Patti France Award Recipient Patti France and Simon Dwyer, Director of Government Affairs, Bell (Sponsor).
Entrepreneur of the Year Award Recipient – Gino Piccioni Award Recipient Gino Piccioni and Darren Luck, First Vice President and Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy, CIBC (Sponsor).
Photos by John Liviero, Sooters Photography
Chamber Network News Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan: How Will It Impact Your Business? The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been your voice to government on behalf of the province’s business community. The concerns of the Chamber Network over rising electricity rates have been heard and we will continue to work with the Government of Ontario to address rising input costs. As Ontario’s business advocate, we need to make sure that business remains competitive.
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Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311)
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Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing (NAICS 312)
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Textile Mills (NAICS 313)
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Textile Product Mills (NAICS 314)
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Apparel Manufacturing (NAICS 315)
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Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (NAICS 316)
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Wood Product Manufacturing (NAICS 321)
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Paper Manufacturing (NAICS 322)
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Printing and Related Support Activities (NAICS 323)
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Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing (NAICS 324)
All electricity consumers eligible for the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) would qualify.
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Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 325)
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Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (NAICS 326)
RPP-eligibility is outlined in regulations and includes consumers who meet certain criteria, including:
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Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (NAICS 327)
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Primary Metal Manufacturing (NAICS 331)
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Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (NAICS 332)
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Machinery Manufacturing (NAICS 333)
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Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing (NAICS 334)
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Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing (NAICS 335)
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Transportation Equipment Manufacturing (NAICS 336)
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Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (NAICS 337)
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Miscellaneous Manufacturing (NAICS 339)
The announcement of Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan left many employers uncertain about the implications for their business. Through correspondence with senior officials at the Ministry of Energy, the OCC has been diligently engaged to help better understand the impact of the announcement on behalf of our membership. Who will be eligible for the 25% reduction announced in Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan?
1. Low-volume consumers; 2. A consumer who has a demand of 50 kilowatts (kW) or less; 3. A consumer who has an account with a distributor, if the account relates to a dwelling, condominium, property owned or leased by a co-operative; 4. A consumer who annually uses at least 150,000 but not more than 250,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. 5. A consumer who has an account with a distributor if the consumer is a farming business. The government also intends to extend eligibility to all consumers who received the 8% rebate as specified in the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Act. Together, there are nearly 5 million consumers eligible for the Regulated Price Plan, including up to 500,000 small businesses and farms.
In the coming months, the OCC will embark on an informational campaign to help businesses navigate the regulatory framework of government energy programs and how to benefit from their cost saving opportunities. We will continue our advocacy through a response to the Long-Term Energy Plan to be released this summer.
What does the expansion of the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) mean and who qualifies? The Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) is a government program that provides an incentive for large electricity consumers to shift their electricity consumption to off-peak hours to reduce their bills by up to one-third. Lowering the threshold for participation in the ICI will ensure more companies are eligible to achieve cost savings of up to 34 percent, depending on their ability to reduce peak electricity consumption. The expansion of the ICI would be available to electricity consumers with peak demands between 500 kilowatts (kW) and 1 megawatt (mW) that operate under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 31, 32 and 33. The NAICS is used by government to classify business establishments according to type of economic activity (process of production). Manufacturers under NAICS codes 31-33 that would be eligible for the ICI expansion are:
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MEET YOUR NEW FELLOW MEMBERS COMMUNITY BUILDER Jamieson Natural Sources Vitamins Vitamins & Health Care Products Mark Hornick, President & C.E.O. 4025 Rhodes Drive Windsor, ON N8W 5B5 Phone: (519) 974-8482 Fax:(519) 974-4742 consumeraffairs@jamiesonlabs.com http://www.jamiesonvitamins.com Vets Cab Taxicab Brokerage, Transportation Services Walter Bezzina, General Manager 350 Tuscarora Avenue Windsor, ON N9A 3L7 Phone: (519) 256-1868 Fax:(519) 256-0297 http://www.vetscab.com
CONNECTOR CF Industrial Generators - Sales & Rentals Cole Cacciavillani 263 Talbot St. West Leamington, ON N8H 4H3 Phone: (519) 322-2311 sales@cfgroups.com http://www.cfgroups.com Ikea Windsor Pick Up and Order Point Furniture / Home Decor - Retail Jennifer Buxbaum, Windsor Pick Up Manager 4115 Walker Rd. Windsor, ON N8W 3T6 Phone: (905) 681-5531 http://www.ikea.ca Pinchin Environmental Consultants & Services, Hazardous Material Management Jessica Brown, Project Manager, Environmental Due Diligence & Remediation 30 Queen St. S. P.O. Box 399 Tilbury, ON N0P 2L0 Phone: (519) 682-4492 jbrown@pinchin.com http://www.pinchin.com Pure Cycle & Yoga Studio Health & Fitness, Indoor Cycling Tamara Boland, Owner 300 Cabana Rd., Suite #2 Windsor, ON N9G 0B1 Phone: (519) 972-5211 purecyclestudio@gmail.com http://www.purecyclespinstudio.com St. Clair Insurance Brokers Inc. Insurance - Commercial Kristy Sauve, Account Executive 13340 Lanoue St Windsor, ON N8N 5E1 Phone: (519) 973-7399 Fax:(519) 258-2900 info@scibi.ca http://www.stclairinsurance.ca
BUSINESS BUILDER Connecting Windsor-Essex Telecommunications Bob Campbell, CEO 500 Ouellette Ave., Suite 700 Windsor, ON N9A 1B3 Phone: (226) 674-3636 info@cw-e.com http://www.cw-e.com Cornerstone Courier Courier Services Paul LeFave, Business Development 2558 Central Ave. Windsor, ON N8W 4J5 Phone: (519) 944-5656 Fax:(519) 944-8867 paull@cornerstonecourier.com http://www.cornerstonecourier.com
FEBRUARY 2017 / MARCH 2017 MEET OUR NEW UPGRADED MEMBERS PILLAR Red Sun Farms Greenhouses Jim DiMenna, President & CEO 2400 Graham Side Rd. Kingsville, ON N8Y 2E5 Phone: (519) 733-8663 sales@redsunfarms.com http://www.redsunfarms.com Windsor Regional Hospital Hospitals David Musyj, President & CEO 1995 Lens Ave. Windsor, ON N8W 1L9 Phone: (519) 254-5577 david_musyj@wrh.on.ca http://www.wrh.on.ca
Digital Media Marketing, Digital Marketing Mark Campbell, Owner / Creative Director 4400 Wyandotte Street East Windsor, ON N8Y 1H1 Phone: (519) 817-1176 mark@digitalmedia.ca http://www.digitalmedia.ca Hidden Trail Escape Rooms Attraction Brent Riberdy, Owner Operator 3147 Tecumseh Rd. East Windsor, ON N8W 1G9 Phone: (519) 990-7057 info@hiddentrail.co http://www.hiddentrail.co Kyle A. Stevenson, CIM Manulife Securities Investment & Financial Services Kyle Stevenson, Financial Advisor 2255 Cadillac St. Windsor, ON N8W 3Y2 Phone: (519) 819-0512 kyle.stevenson@manulifesecurities.ca M & M Designs Group Inc. Promotional Products Mike Ngo 3395 Howard Ave., Unit 11 Windsor, ON N9E 3N6 Phone: (519) 995-1577 mmdesigns@outlook.com http://www.gifts-promotions.com Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association Associations & Organizations, Non-Profit Becky Mills, Managing Director 3323 North Malden Rd. Essex, ON N8M 2X6 Phone: (519) 726-7682 Fax:(519) 726-4403 info@wetra.ca http://www.wetra.ca
DO YOU HAVE OUR LOGO ON YOUR WEBSITE? Let our community know that you are a trusted resource.
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Returning Members FEBRUARY 2017 / MARCH 2017
STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP A.P. Plasman Inc.
Bram Canada Inc. Staffing Solutions
Forest Glade Fireplaces
Morrell Controls Canada
Thai Palace Restaurant
Academie Ste Cecile International School
Buckingham Realty (Windsor) Ltd. Brokerage
Green Sun Rising
Motor City Community Credit Union Ltd.
Timberland Homes
Guardian Storage and Mailboxes
New Canadians' Centre of Excellence Inc.
TMC Tecumseh Manning Medical Centre
Habitat For Humanity Windsor - Essex
North American Centre of Advanced Health Care Inc.
TransForm Shared Service Organizations
Acklands Grainger Inc. Advanced Basement Systems Advanced Home Services Albamor Construction and Engineering Ltd. All Circuits Electric All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited
Business Development Bank of Canada Canadian Computer Distributors Inc. Canadian Executive Search Group Inc. Capital Assist (Valuation) Inc. CareerStreams Resources Inc.
Heavy Construction Association of Windsor Hengl, Scott Financial Partners INC. Herby Curby Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
AlphaKOR Group Inc.
Chartwell Oak Park Terrace Retirement Residence
Al's Bin Rentals Ltd.
Cheung's Trading Company Limited
Hub International Ontario Limited
Ambassador Movers Ltd.
CIBC – Tecumseh Rd. East
Human Kinetics Publishers
Anne's On The Avenue
CIBC Commercial Banking
Intense Media
Aura Restorative Medical Spa Inc.
Ciociaro Club & Multiplex
Job Shoppe Inc.
Bank of Montreal – Ouellette Ave. Branch
Clarks LLP
KeenTec NA Inc.
Bank of Montreal – Howard Ave. Branch
Comfort Inn & Suites - Ambassador Bridge
The Riverside Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Bartlet & Richardes
Dakkota Integrated Systems LLC
Windsor Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Bell - Ferrari Plaza
The Delivery Guys
Laval Tool & Mould Ltd.
Bell Canada
Desjardins Business
Lee, Gordon B., Chartered Accountant
Bergeron Art & Frame Shop
Ducharme Fox LLP
Loaring Physiotherapy & Health Centre
Bio Ped Windsor
EasyInsure
Lomar Machine Repair Inc.
Biz X Magazine
Eclipse Cosmetic & Laser Centre
Manor Windsor Realty Ltd.
Blak's Bakery Ltd.
Electrozad Supply Company Limited
Media Street Productions Inc.
BMO Private Banking
Essex Energy Corporation
Merchants Paper Co. Windsor Ltd.
Howard Avenue Walk-In Clinic Inc.
On Site Services
Unique Communications Inc. University of Windsor
Onyx Engineering Ltd.
Valiant Corporation
Patio Palace
WFCU Credit Union
PBL Benefits Limited
WFT Investments Ltd.
PBL Insurance Limited
Windsor Cardiac Centre
Personnel By Pro-Staff Post Packaging of Windsor Inc. Progressive Waste Solutions
Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets Windsor Disposal Service Ltd. (WDS) Windsor Investigation Services Ltd.
Quality Suites Reliance Home Comfort
Windsor Star, A division of Postmedia Network Inc.
Running Flat
Windsor Symphony Orchestra
Scotia Mcleod Inc. Investment Dealers
WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation
Sherdil Precision Inc.
Wolfhead Distillery
Smith Physiotherapy Clinic
World Water Operation Company Inc.
Sooter's Studios
Zing! Healthy Foods
Sterling Motor Technology Inc. Sun Life Financial Suzanne M. Dajczak, Barrister & Solicitor TD Commercial Banking
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE ASSIST OUR MEMBERS IN ACHIEVING THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS THROUGH MARKETING INITIATIVES? KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHAMBER? Contact Sherri Gowman, Director of Sales & Marketing, to consider membership with us and to learn about potential savings in conjunction with our programs. sgowman@windsoressexchamber.org or (519) 966.3696 ext. 223. We are here to assist you with your membership! Contact Caitlin Hildenbrand, Assistant to the Director of Sales & Marketing, at childenbrand@windsoressexchamber.org or (519) 966.3696 ext. 230. Please note, the members listed are only for the months indicated. For a full Membership Directory please visit www.windsoressexchamber.org or for a personal copy contact Caitlin.
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Spotlight On Our Members Community Builder
Pillar Member
New Canadians' Centre of Excellence Inc.
BASF Canada
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF Canada is a subsidiary of BASF SE, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany and an affiliate of BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, U.S. BASF Canada, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, has a team of more than 675 employees at 11 production facilities and offices located across Canada. We are the world’s leading chemical company, offering products and services we believe contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. Through science and innovation, we strive to enable our customers to meet the current and future needs of society. BASF Canada is a proud member of the Windsor business community. Our Windsor site manufactures automotive paints and coatings, including brands like Glasurit®, R-M®, and LIMCO®. These products are used by major automotive manufacturers, as well as collision repair centres across North America. BASF is active in the community through monetary donations and employee volunteer efforts, including science education, ecology, health and safety, and local community based initiatives. In 2016, the site supported the United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, Greater Essex Board of Education, Essex Region Conservation Foundation and the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County’s Carousel of the Nations Festival. The company has also brought BASF Kids’ Lab, a series of hands-on chemistry workshops, to elementary school students in the Windsor community.
Established in 2001, New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc. is a community based, direct-service agency which exists to assist, support and promote the full and equitable participation of immigrants and refugees in all aspects of social, cultural and economic life in the Windsor-Essex Region. Our dedicated staff provide services to over 7,000 newcomers from around the world annually, including: Language Training and Skill Development, Settlement Workers in Schools, Labour Market Access, Job Search Workshops, Business Development Advisory, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement, Orientation, Integration and Referral Services, Youth Resource Centre, Employment Services and Children’s Programs and Services. Currently, we serve clients from our four Windsor locations, one Leamington location as well as five libraries and both school boards. We are busy preparing for the May 2017 opening of our newest Windsor location at 1214 Ottawa St. Visit the New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc. online at www.ncceinc.org.
We are proud to have been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers for 2017. Mediacorp, the country’s largest publisher of employment periodicals, cited the company for its family-friendly workplace, health benefits, work atmosphere, employee communications, and community involvement.
Members Only Savings Programs: As a member of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, you have access to numerous resources designed to advance the success of your business and provide you with exclusive benefits. For complete information visit us at www.windsoressexchamber.org/membership/membership-benefits/. Employee and business owner HEALTH CARE BENEFITS with our: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE GROUP INSURANCE The Chamber offers access to Canada’s #1 group insurance plan – the Chambers Plan. The Plan operates as a non-profit and it is known for stable, pooled, competitive rates for firms from 1 to 100 employees. As well as health and dental coverage, you can customize your plan by selecting from a list of available benefits. Some of the Chambers Plan benefits, like Best Doctors and Business Assistance Services, are even included at no cost. HOME & AUTO INSURANCE With origins dating back to 1880, Johnson Inc. is one of the oldest and most respected providers of insurance and benefits in Canada. Today, the company is part of the global RSA group, with employees across the country dedicated to serving you better. Members who qualify for the PS Plan get
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preferred rates, and access to a wide range of products and services. You receive personalized and convenient service. Highlights of the PS Plan include: 24-hour service, online access to your insurance coverage details, and interest-free monthly payments. You may also get extras on home and auto insurance. Contact www.johnson.ca/wercc or call toll free 1-800-5630677. Remember to identify yourself as a member of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce! OFFICE SUPPLY PROGRAM With our Office Max/Grand & Toy Office Supply Program, members save significantly on over 7,000 instock office supplies for next day delivery. Get the products you need, and the choices you want– for the best value. Your representative will review your preferred products to maximize your savings and develop an exclusive savings program based on your needs.
PAYMENT PROCESSING SAVINGS WITH FIRST DATA MERCHANT SERVICES First Data, a leader in the electronic payment processing industry, brings you exclusive benefits to help grow your business. Together we are ready to help you with preferred pricing and products tailored to suit your needs. See the savings: Visa 1.49%, MasterCard 1.49% and Debit $0.05/Transaction (standard discount rates – additional processing fees may apply). UPS SERVICES! Chamber members, take advantage of the UPS Members Benefit Program and save on a variety of UPS services! You’ll receive 30% off small package shipments within Canada, to the U.S. and to worldwide destinations, 25% off imports into Canada, discounts starting at 75% off freight shipments, and more. To get started today, visit www.membersbenefitprogram.com/WindsorCC or call 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377).
Breakfast with Google/Workplace Safety Breakfast with Google
By Anna Cabrera
It was a full house at Caesars Windsor for the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and Windsor Star’s Breakfast with Google event on Tuesday, March 28. Meagan Tanner referenced a prediction by Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt that by 2020, the Internet will be accessible to all eight billion people on the planet – with the majority accessing the web through mobile devices. It’s a report Google doesn’t take lightly. Google even introduced an algorithm that propels businesses higher up on its search engine when they are recognized to have adaptive web pages that are designed and tailored for rapid, easy use across desktop, tablet and smartphone devices. “It was in 2015 that the number of searches on mobile surpassed searches on a laptop,” says Tanner. “Our biggest concern was that Canadian businesses weren’t making the transition as fast as Canadian consumers were.”
With a team of highly qualified media sales consultants, supported by an unparalleled media strategy team, local businesses can now ensure their products and services remain top of mind – and with the right strategic campaigns, they can stay ahead of their competitors. “This presentation was phenomenal,” says Shannon Wise, public relations representative for the Salvation Army. “I really connected with (Meagan) and she spoke to us on an accessible level… while I report to higher levels that ultimately make the decisions of how our websites look, what strategies we should deploy, I am so excited to bring to them everything we learned here today. She added: “All of the information and statistics here just proved how much of an impact we can make for our organization, not just locally for Windsor, but all over the world.” For photos, please see page 6.
The Windsor Star was on hand to support Tanner’s encouragement to move businesses toward mobile optimized sites. Duane Acorn, Senior Manager of Media Sales, spoke to the Star’s incomparable ability to provide a variety of solutions to meet the needs of local businesses, based on their specific, explicit needs.
How to stay ahead of the new and young worker MOL blitz Many workplaces see “training” as a formal exercise delivered by outside experts, but it doesn’t have to be, says WSPS key account manager Rodola Sibuma. “It can happen in small increments every day or every week, because you already have on-site experts who can deliver this training — your supervisors.” Providing on-the-spot training and coaching offers compelling benefits for workplaces that hire seasonal and student workers. “It can help prevent injuries when these workers are at greatest risk: people new to a job are three times more likely to be injured during the first month on the job than more experienced workers,” explains Rodola. It also helps your supervisors meet their responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act — an important consideration this time of year, when the Ministry of Labour begins its annual blitz which runs from May 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017. During the blitz, inspectors will be looking to make sure employers are complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations. Results from last year’s blitz are a good checkpoint for what inspectors will be looking for. In 2016, the three most frequently issued OHSA orders involved employers’ failure to •
post an OHSA copy in the workplace [OHSA s. 25(2)(i)] – 229 orders
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maintain equipment in good condition [OHSA s. 25(1)(b)] – 170 orders
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take reasonable precautions to protect workers’ health and safety [OHSA s. 25(2)(h)] – 138 orders
How supervisors can protect these workers Supervisors play an essential role in health and safety, employee performance, and productivity. This role becomes even more critical when new and young, or vulnerable workers are involved.
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understand workers’ strengths and weaknesses, and assess their performance
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demonstrate “competence,” a legal requirement under the act*
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instill a safe work ethic by reinforcing and building on the orientation safety training you’ve already provided
All of these are top concerns for ministry inspectors conducting visits during the blitz. How your supervisors can deliver timely, on-the-spot training and coaching Here are just some of the ways your supervisors can complement formal training every week and even every day. 1. Conduct a daily walk through to observe new hires and all staff in action; coach as needed. 2. Make themselves available to answer any questions workers may have. 3. Set up a mentoring system, pairing new hires with experienced workers. 4. Regularly check in with new hires — anything from a 5-minute chat to a weekly production review. 5. Recognize safe practices when they’re encountered. 6. Demonstrate health and safety best practices in everything they do. “Supervisors could also extend these suggestions to all employees,” says Rodola. “When does an employee stop being new? Training is a continuous activity; it doesn't have to always be formal, just ongoing.” How WSPS can help •
By providing these workers with on-the-spot training and coaching, your supervisors
Review with your supervisors this Ministry of Labour guideline on how to keep new and young workers safe.
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Find out more about Ministry of Labour blitzes.
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instill a safe work ethic by reinforcing and building on the orientation safety training you’ve already provided
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Check out our extensive supply of training and awareness resources for vulnerable workers.
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show workers how to safely perform any new tasks and operate new equipment
Watch for details on this year’s blitz in the next issue of WSPS eNews.
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UPCOMING EVENTS Regional After Business Tradeshow 2017 @ Canadian Historical Aircraft Association Presented by Johnson Insurance Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Canadian Historical Aircraft Association Hangar (2600 Airport Rd.) The Largest After Business Tradeshow of the Year!
Wake Up Windsor Essex
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. The Shoreview at Riverside (245 Drouillard Rd.)
81st Annual Golf Tournament @ Pointe West Golf Club Monday, June 5, 2017 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pointe West Golf Club (200 Golfwood Dr., Amherstburg)
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After Business presented by Johnson Insurance @ Wolfhead Distillery sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Wednesday, June 14, 2017 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wolfhead Distillery (7781 Howard Ave., Amherstburg) Networking Only
Chamber 141 – A Celebration at Augustus 27 Thursday, June 22, 2017 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Caesars Windsor, Augustus 27 (377 Riverside Dr. E.)