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In this issue - December 1, 2011
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MBOT NEWS
MBOT to host Keynote Speaker
U.S. Consul General, Kevin Johnson
Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) is proud to host U.S. Consul General, Kevin Johnson, on Wednesday December 14th for the AGM/GMM at the International Centre. Mr. Johnson will speak about U.S.-Canada relations, particularly trade and the border issues with a special emphasis on ideas to grow Ontario-U.S. economic ties.
Mr. Johnson has represented the United States as Consul General in Toronto, Canada since August of 2009. Joining the Foreign Service in 1983, Mr. Johnson served in 8 Embassies in Europe and Latin America, as well as in Washington, before coming to Canada.
For full event details, see listing below or visit www.mbot.com.
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Night Flights (GTAA):
Support for Toronto Pearson Airport Night Flights Increase
Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) in a recent meeting, with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) learned that flight operations at Toronto Pearson are growing and the community's demand for night-time flights between 12:30 and 6:30 a.m. is increasing. The driving factors behind this demand include the needs of Greater Toronto Area's (GTA) ethnically diverse population and economic growth in the region, the changing global economy and how people and goods are moving around the globe, and a growing demand for connections with emerging markets.
Toronto Pearson is requesting Transport Canada to increase the number of flights permitted to operate in the night-time. This increase will enable the airport to support the region and its business community in realizing the opportunities outlined in their Gateway Strategy.
Toronto Pearson is a significant enabler of economic activity that drives prosperity and supports jobs. More than 38,000 people work at Toronto Pearson alone. This generates $26.4 billion in revenues and $6.8 billion in employment income.
MBOT recognizes the unique geographical relationship between Mississauga and the airport, there are tremendous economic opportunities gained from the businesses, jobs, and trade related to Canada's busiest airport, that also support the regional, provincial, and national economy.
MBOT appreciates that there may be impacts on local residential areas as a result of increased flight activity. The impact is expected to be minimal, and Toronto Pearson International Airport has clearly communicated their plan with residents and has extensively reviewed other options. MBOT believes that the solution put forward is a responsible approach that balances the increasing demand for night-time operations and the interests of the community.
Given a sensitive economic climate and the need for business in Canada to compete globally, the increasing demand for use of Toronto Pearson has very positive impacts for business, jobs and our economy, as well as for travelers. Growth of operations at the airport that is well managed, responsible, should be strongly encouraged, and we urge the federal government to permit the request to expand night flights as proposed by Toronto Pearson.
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New Additions to MBOT's Policy &
Government Affairs Committee
Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) would like to welcome Mr. Sunil Aneja of Strategic Facilitators and Mr. Cecil Young of Innovative Technologies Corp. to MBOT's Policy & Government Affairs Committee.
Sunil Aneja has previous experience as a member of local Boards of Trade. Cecil Young is an accomplished business professional with a background in technology solutions, as well as Energy and Telecom services.
MBOT looks forward to both their contributions to the committee. For more information regarding the Policy & Government Affairs Committe, please click here.
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) and its business members are committed to serving all individuals in their community. The government of Ontario will have new accessibility laws starting January 1st 2012. MBOT encourages all businesses to read the act and ensure they will be in position by January 1st to comply with the act's regulations.
All businesses with at least one employee will have to comply with the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Customer Service Standard taking effect Jan. 1, 2012.
By January, the Customer Service Standard requires you to:
- develop customer service policies and procedures for serving people with disabilities;
- ensure policies and procedures are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity;
- have a policy on allowing people to use their own assistive devices (e.g. screen reader, cane, wheelchair, oxygen tank) to access your goods and services, your menu for example with regards to a screen reader;
- communicate with a person with a disability in a manner that considers his or her disability;
- allow people with disabilities to be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal in areas of your business open to the public;
- permit people with disabilities who rely on a support person to bring that individual with them while accessing your goods or services;
- post information about your policy regarding what fee, if any, would be charged for a support person of a person with a disability (in operations where admission fees are charged);
- let people know when facilities or services for people with disabilities (such as an elevator or accessible washroom) are out of order;
- train staff, volunteers and contractors to serve customers with disabilities; and
- let customers with disabilities provide feedback on how you met their needs, and establish a process to respond and take action on any complaints.
If you have 20 or more employees, you must also:
- complete an online report on your compliance by the reporting deadline (to be determined);
- document in writing all policies and procedures on how you provide accessible customer service;
- notify customers that all documents required by the standard are available on request; and
- provide documents required under the standard in a format that takes into account the person's disability, if applicable.
* Requirements taken from Ontario's Ministry of Community and Social Services website.
This change signifies a new era of accessibility standards that will impact all restaurants. CRFA lobbied the Ontario government during initial public consultations noting the significant challenges for restaurants to comply with certain requirements, particularly the Built Environment Standard. The date this particular standard takes effect has not yet been finalized.
Reproduced from http://restaurantcentral.ca/NewaccessibilitystandardsOntario.aspx
For more information please visit here.
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MBOT Accepting Advocacy Requests from Members
Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) is now accepting policy advocacy requests from its members. If you are a member of MBOT and have an issue you would like MBOT to advocate on your behalf, please download and fill out the form below.
When you have filled out the form please submit the form to Steven Isidori, Policy and Research Coordinator at policy@mbot.com. All requests are subject to approval by Sheldon Leiba, President and CEO.
Please click here to download the Policy Advocacy Request Form. If you need additional room on the form, please contact Steven Isidori at sisidori@mbot.com.
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MBOT EVENTS
Eco-Business Breakfast: Driving Sustainability
through the Supply Chain
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - EVENT POSTPONED!
New event time & date will be announced ASAP.
We apologize for any inconvenience!
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Good Morning Mississauga (GMM)/Annual
General Meeting (AGM)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
International Centre
6900 Airport Road
Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
Keynote Speaker for AGM:
U.S. Consul General, Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson has represented the United States as Consul General in Toronto, Canada since August of 2009. Joining the Foreign Service in 1983, Mr. Johnson served in 8 Embassies in Europe and Latin America, as well as in Washington, before coming to Canada.
Event Details:
Meet 150 potential business clients, partners and
suppliers before the start of your workday!
Buffet Breakfast - Contact list provided to all attendees
In addition to our prominent keynote speaker, our AGM will feature MBOT highlights from the past year with remarks from 2011 MBOT Chair Ian MacFadden, election and appointments of MBOT Board of Directors, announcement of MBOT 2012 Chair, presentation on MBOT new Strategic Plan and what's in store for the year ahead.
This event is expected to sell out, so register early.
Sponsored By: International Centre & BDC
Fees:
MBOT Member: $15 | MBOT Member - Table of 8: $200
Non-Member: $30 | Non-Member - Table of 8: $300
To register, please contact Amanda Rushe at info@mbot.com. For online registration, please click here.
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MBOT Holiday Open House
Thursday, December 15, 2011
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MBOT Office
701-77 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON L5B 1M5
Come and meet your MBOT staff and fellow
members and share in some holiday cheer.
Please RSVP by Friday, December 9, 2011
by e-mailing: info@mbot.com.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Jewelry & Accessory Party
MBOT Member, Mississauga Toyota Scion, is hosting a
Jewelry & Accessory party!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
2215 Dundas Street East
Mississauga, ON L4X 2X2
10% of all sales will be donated to MBOT Member, Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Peel (BBBSP) & 10% off your next service or parts purchase at Mississauga Toyota Scion with every purchase!
Please e-mail mis@mississaugatoyota.com to RSVP by Monday,
December 5, 2011. Please click here to view the event flyer.
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BUSINESS MARKETPLACE
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