Right now the GSCC is participating in reviewing policy resolutions submitted by chambers of commerce across the province and country. As part of the ‘Ontario Caucus’, we are providing important input and perspective to a variety of policy issues, including: the environment, taxes, transportation, natural resources, energy, trade, etc.

 

These resolutions (which are destined for Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in October), if approved, will be presented to the federal government in the hopes that they may be adopted and incorporated into government legislation.

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Chamber Events

Find out what your Chamber has planned for the coming weeks!

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Red Tip

 

The more creative you are in your approach, the more your business will stand out and get noticed. It is essential that you differentiate yourself from the competition. If you look into any successful entrepreneur, you will find that they all infuse creative energy into their strategies. The result, they engage their audience, they reach their market faster than their competitors and they make a stronger connection with their customers.

 

Question everything you do and ask yourself; 'How can I make this situation even more creative?'

 
 

 

The Final Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard, as part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, has now been posted on the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ website.  

 

The Initial Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard was developed by an external Accessible Information and Communications Standards Development Committee (SDC). This external committee included representatives from the disability community as well as the public and private sectors.  

 

The initial proposed standard was released for its mandatory public review period from November 17, 2008 to February 6, 2009.   The committee then revised the initial proposed standard to reflect the public’s input resulting in the Final Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard.
  

The final proposed standard has now been submitted to the Minister of Community and Social Services for consideration.
 

Those interested in reading the SDC’s final proposed standard can find more information on the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ website.

 
 

 

 

Visit www.sudburydiscoveries.ca today to find the Sudbury Discoveries menu for August 6 to 12. There you'll find lots of ideas, discoveries and hidden gems to share with friends and family.

 
 

 

Chamber members are advised that one of the two scales the Sudbury landfill site is no longer in operation and users should expect delays.

 

The landfill site will maintain regular operating hours throughout the repairs: Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

For further information about the City of Greater Sudbury's landfill sites and residential curbside collection program, residents are invited to call 311.

 
 

 

Traffic and Construction Report

Click here to review the schedule of roadwork projects that are ongoing.

 

 

Last Friday, Statistics Canada released its monthly snapshot on employment across the country and more Canadians lost their jobs in July than anticipated.

 

The economy posted net job losses of 44,500 in July, nearly three times the consensus forecast. Losses were experienced in all sectors, with the heaviest in the construction, accommodation and food services industries.

 

The increasing unemployment figures come on the heels of the Bank of Canada’s announcement that the country’s economy is on the mend  and an admission from most private-sector economists that the economy will start to grow in the third quarter of this year.

 

The Bank of Canada also recently promised to keep its benchmark interest rate at an all-time low of 0.25 percent through June 2010, conditional on inflation staying under control.

 

Greater Sudbury’s unemployment rose from 8.9 per cent to 9.8 per cent.

 

Much of this stems from cuts made to mining related sectors and the combined effects, including: maintenance and production shutdowns coupled with the labour disruption at Vale Inco operations and the broader economic malaise that began late last year. The Chamber remains confident that the community will come out of this and we will do everything we can to assist our members through these difficult times, including reducing our membership fees by 25 percent for one year and providing free memberships to anyone recently laid off and who has started their own business or become self employed. This offer will cut costs on insurance, benefits, office supplies and many other business costs.

 

 

 

Early last week, Xstrata Mining company Xstrata PLC, released the financials of the first half 2009.  Reported earnings fell by 77 per cent and lower commodity prices, the financial crisis and ensuing global economic slowdown, coupled with enormous uncertainty were cited as reasons.

 

Xstrata's profit tumbled to US$643 million from $2.78 billion in the same period last year. Revenue fell 39 per cent to $9.87 billion.

 

Xstrata said real costs were cut US$119 million in the first-half of the year, and more savings will be made in the next six months as restructuring, productivity improvements and other initiatives take effect.

 

Xstrata, the world's fifth largest miner, is currently trying to orchestrate a merger with Anglo-American, another large international mining company.

 
 

 

 

Congratulations to Denise Lafond from the Sudbury and District Homebuilders Association on her recent retirement.

 

Denise has spent the last 20 years improving the business environment for those involved in the homebuilding industry in Greater Sudbury. As Executive director, Denise has been a strong advocate for the industry and will be missed.