NOVEMBER 2014

Volume 5, Issue 11

Place your banner ad here and reach over 1400+ key business people

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT TO LOAD THE DEAL!

Shop The Neighbourhood Event - Nov. 29th

With Shop The Neighbourhood quickly approaching we want to encourage your to take advantage of this free promotion!

Have you loaded your deal yet? It is completely free to submit a deal! And...there are only 2 days left before deal loading closes.

Loading a deal is only a few simple steps; it should take less than five minutes to load your deal. If you haven't loaded a deal yet they must be submitted by November 21th in order for them to be live on November 29th.

To load an exclusive offer for November 29th please click here.

Building New Business Connections!

Now you can register for all events ONLINE!

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STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR ...

LUNCH & LEARN Lunch_Learn

Wednesday, November 26, 2014
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Facilitator: Valerie Mason, VPI Inc.

Topic: What Every Employer Needs To Know

If you are looking to train your existing employees, are hiring or thinking about hiring in the new year, you need to attend this even! Find out about the financial incentives available to help offset the costs of training your workforce. This is a FREE members only event.

Chamber Boardroom
44 Richmond St., W., Ste. 100, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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BUSINESS 4 BREAKFAST - You Are The Speaker

Thursday, November 27, 2014
7:30 am. - 9:00 a.m. BIZ BREAKFAST ICON

Topic: You Are The Speaker

This is your time to shine...and tell everyone who you are and what you do. Each attendee will get time to speak in an informal setting. Great networking opportunity - great way to start your day!

Harmony Creek Golf Centre,
1000 Bloor Street East, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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CHRISTMAS WINE AND CHEESE

Tuesday, December 9, 2014
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Spread some holiday cheer, visit the exhibitors and come prepared to network! This is a great way to make new business connections for the busy Holiday Season! Bring an unwrapped toy, non-perishable food or toiletry item to help Simcoe Hall Settlement House.

Officers' Mess - Ontario Regiment
53 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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2015 PAN AM INFORMATION SESSION BREAKFAST

Wednesday, December 10, 2014
7:30 am. - 9:30 a.m.

Quality Hotel & Conference Centre
1011 Bloor Street East, Oshawa

Guest Speakers:
Co-Chairs of City of Oshawa's PanAm Committee:

Laurie Jones, Supervisor of Events and Community Engagement and Julie McIsaac, Manager, Culture & Centralized Recreation Services, City of Oshawa

The TO2015 Pan Am Games will bring 250,000 visitors to the region. Let's make the most of this opportunity

Laurie and Julie will give updates on the Pan Am games in Oshawa, including tourism and visitor experience strategies.

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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LUNCH & LEARN - Income Tax Tips

Wednesday, January 7, 2015
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Facilitators: Sarah Netley, Tax Manager and
Laura Wilson, Client Service Manager

Learn from the experts about income tax tips for small business during this round table lunch & learn. This is a FREE members only event.

Chamber Boardroom

44 Richmond Street West, Ste. 100, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Wednesday, January 14, 2015
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Michelle Farrugia, Host of the Oshawa Generals Hockey (OHL) on Rogers TV

Great opportunity to network. This is a woman's only event!

Fazio's Restaurant

33 Simcoe St., S., Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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BUSINESS 4 BREAKFAST

Thursday, January 15, 2015 BIZ BREAKFAST ICON
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Facilitators: Canadian Red Cross
Topic: Personal Preparedness Workshop

The Red Cross urges all Canadians to assemble an emergency preparedness kit for their home and business. But what exactly should be included in such a kit? Find out at this interactive workshop.

Best Western Plus - Durham Hotel & Conference Centre
559 Bloor Street West, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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BIZ AFTER 5 - New Member Reception

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Meet our newest members and find out how to maximize your membership, market your business, make new connections and get involved. This event is open to all Chamber members and their employees FREE of charge.

Chamber Boardroom
44 Richmond St., W., Ste. 100, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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jumpstart logo Visit web.oshawachamber.com/events for more upcoming events.

For your JumpStart Checklist, click here .

This Year Ontario's Net Debt Grew To $267.2 Billion

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce's latest report provides a straightforward account of Ontario's current fiscal situation.

Ontario's history of spending is unsustainable.

In only seven of the past 25 years has the government balanced its books or achieved a surplus. The province has been digging itself deeper and deeper into the red. In the 2013-14 fiscal year, the provincial government paid $10.6 billion in interest (or $29 million per day) to service its debt.

A tipping point may be closer than Ontarians think. With a slower growth future projected for the province, combined with the growing demands of a rapidly aging population, the need to deal with the fiscal situation now becomes all the more urgent.

Read How Bad Is It? What Do We Do About It? to learn more about Ontario's fiscal situation and the steps the government can take to return itself to a path of fiscal sustainability.

New - Employer Driven Training Initiative

Canada Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is a new, employer-driven training initiative and represents an opportunity for the province to engage more effectively with employers to support Ontarians in obtaining the skills required to fill and succeed in available jobs.

The grant will provide direct financial support for employers who wish to purchase training for their current workforce and new hires. Yes...you read that right...current workers. This is the first time a program like this has been offered - take advantage of it!

In this grant program, employers choose the individuals they would like to have trained, and the training that meets their workforce development needs. It is intended to support employers in taking a greater role in workforce development. The cost of training is a shared investment between employers and the government. As an employer you will pay at least 1/3 of direct training costs while the Government covers 2/3 of direct training costs up to $10,000 per trainee.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply visit:
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/cojg/ or contact Northern Lights Canada for information and assistance at 1-800-361-4642 ext. 3007.

Business Of The Month

Dr. S. Fenwick

On behalf of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and the Ambassador Committee, congratulations to Dr. S. Fenwick and his team on being named BUSINESS OF THE MONTH for November!

READ MORE > > >

[Nominate a Deserving Business as "Business of the Month"]

Automotive Museum Is Celebrating 50 Years!

The Canadian Automotive Museum is celebrating 50 years of telling Canada's automotive story. To commemorate the milestone, the Museum opened its doors with complimentary admission, refreshments and temporary displays from the museum archives on Thursday, November 13th at 99 Simcoe Street South in Oshawa. The Canadian Automotive Museum is Canada's only museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Canada's automotive industry with a world-class, one-of-a-kind collection of Canadian and internationally-made automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles. On hand to present a congratulatory certificate was Chamber President John Sturrup (left) presenting to Alexander Gates, Manager/Curator of the Museum. For more information, visit www.CanadianAutomotiveMuseum.com.

Oshawa Chamber Goes To China!

Over 50 Chamber members, friends and family embarked on an 11 trip to China taking in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Tongli and Hangzhou. The group had an amazing time and returned home on Saturday, October 25th with wonderful memories and plenty of photos. This photo was taken during the full-day excursion to the Great Wall - the world's longest man-made structure, stretching over 6,352 km (3,948 miles) located 70km northwest from the city of Beijing. Welcome back!

Networking On Ice!

After a fun afternoon on the ice at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Curling FUNSpiel on November 5, event sponsors were on hand to present the winning team, Johnson Inc., their cheque for $500.00 to be gifted to their charity of choice, Oshawa Senior Citizen Centre. Congratulations! Pictured from left to right is Adam Hare of Petley-Hare Insurance Brokers, the Johnson team: Yvonne Brady; Darren Desmarais; Mike McRae and Cathy Turner, and Matt Douglas of CRCS DKI. Thank you to Petley-Hare Insurance Brokers and CRCS DKI for sponsoring the Curling FUNSpiel again this year. More pictures on facebook.com/oshawachamber

Residents Invited To Be Torchbearers At
TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay, presented by President's Choice, is coming to Oshawa next spring. Three-thousand torchbearers will proudly carry the flame and share its welcoming Pan Am spirit on the 41-day journey towards the lighting of the cauldron on July 10, 2015 to officially open the Games. Residents of Oshawa are invited to enter to be one of three-thousand torchbearers today at TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay, and to enter with the City of Oshawa to be selected as the Community Torchbearer at http://www.oshawa.ca/panam/join.asp.
Read more >>>

Celebrating A Milestone?

If you are celebrating a major milestone such as receiving a professional award, celebrating a grand opening, new location, major expansion or special anniversary, contact the Chamber at 905-728-1683 or email details to marketing@oshawachamber.com.

Wrap It Up RED!
Will You Save A Life This Holiday Season?

As Canadians prepare to celebrate this holiday season, many patients will be fighting to celebrate life itself.

This year, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) estimates it will need to collect over 75,000 blood donations nationally between December 1 and January 3 to meet patient needs.

CBS is looking for groups throughout Oshawa to consider adopting a day and help ensure the blood supply remains strong throughout the holiday season.

It's easy to participate: pick a day in December, gather a minimum of four people to come and donate at the Oshawa Clinic located at 1300 Harmony Road North, let CBS know the date and time and they will send you a confirmation. If you need transportation to and from the clinic for your group CBS can arrange that for you.

If you are interested in participating in the 25 days of giving please email Melissa Smith-McGuire to start the process.

Welcome New Members...

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome new members who joined in the last 45 days.

Chris R. Mason CGA, CPA
iApotheca Healthcare Inc. Software
M & R Catering and Cooking School
Marlin Travel Oshawa Centre
Reliable Car and Truck Rental
Tech Connect IT Solutions

Click here for a complete list of members.

STAND OUT AMOUNG YOUR COMPETITORS!

The Chamber is currently preparing the 2015 Business Directory & Buyer's Guide. Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your business to over 5700 key business decision makers.

All members receive a FREE listing in the printed Business Directory and Buyer's Guide. Please ensure your information on file with the Chamber is accurate!

Advertising space is limited! For more information and advertising rates, contact Michelle Lea at 905-433-7854 or 905-728-1683.

We encourage you to always . . . . . . .

TESTIMONIALS!

Have you received great service or a one of a kind experience with us?

We would love to know!

Tell us your story of how the Chamber provided support either through programs, networking or advocacy and/or tell us why you would recommend the Greater Oshawa Chamber to other businesses!

Please take the time to send us your feedback.

Highlighting Chamber Benefits Programs!

Why Chambers Plan?

Over 25,000 businesses purchase group benefits from the Chambers Plan. Comprehensive benefit packages apply to home-based businesses and small business firms - with no industry restrictions. For-profit businesses with three people and up are eligible for guaranteed coverage. Coverage for 1 to 2 people is also available.

Customized Coverage for Firms
Pooled Benefits - Keeping employee benefit costs stable from year to year
Guaranteed Non-Cancellable Regardless Of Your Firm's Size
Customer Service Operated at the Local and National Level
Health & Dental Claims Usually Paid Within 48 Hours

Enjoy Group Benefits with a Difference!

Click here for a complete list of Chamber Cost Savings Benefits!

Contribute!

Send us your news! Put an event on the calendar!

Announce something to everyone!

This is a FREE service for members! Promote your business in the next edition of Business Matters, Business Matters eNews or on the Chamber's website, please send the details by email. Copy deadline for eNews is the first of each month, for Business Matters it is the 15th of each month, and for the website, there is no deadline, send it anytime!

In This Issue

Networking Events

OCC Report

Canada Ontario Job Grant

Business Of The Month

Members in the News

Wrap It Up RED

New Members

Testimonials

Highlighting Chamber Benefits Programs!

Contribute

Chamber Events

Business
Events

Click here to view all events,
scroll down right
side of home page

Durham College Workshops
Tue. Sep, 23/14 -
Thu. Dec, 18/14

2015 Business Directory & Buyer's Guide - Showcase your businesss!
Thu. Oct, 30/14 -
Wed. Dec, 31/14

"Shop The Neighbourhood" Campaign
Sat. Nov, 29/14

Entrepreneurship Week - Do It In Durham
Mon. Nov, 17/14 -

Sun. Nov, 23/14

Learn How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur
Mon. Nov, 24/14

FBIT Connect Day - Reverse Career Fair
Tue. Nov, 25/14

Conference - Manufacturing & Exporting - Access Funding & Gov. Programs
Tue. Nov, 25/14

Community Events

Click here to view all

events, scroll down right side of home page

Idle Land - Plant Trees! Subsidies Available
Mon. Oct, 20/14 -
Sat. Nov, 29/14

Oshawa's Christmas Tree Lighting
Fri. Nov, 21/14

Santa's Parade Of Lights Oshawa
Sat. Nov, 22/14

Deck the Halls Open House - Northview Community Centre
Thu. Dec, 4/14

Annual Lamplight Tour - Oshawa Community Museum
Sat. Dec, 6/14

Santa's Workshop - Courtice Flea Market
Sat. Dec, 6/14 -

Sun. Dec, 7/14

The Tenors Concert TO BENEFIT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CLARINGTON
Sat. Dec, 6/14

Durham Philharmonic Choir presents
"A Feast of Carols"
Sun. Dec, 7/14

Oshawa Celebrates 2015
Wed. Dec, 31/14

10th Annual
Heart to Heart Gala
Sat. Feb, 28/15

Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
44 Richmond St. W., Suite 100, Oshawa, ON L1G 1C7
T. 905-728-1683 | F. 905-432-1259 | E. marketing@oshawachamber.com
www.oshawachamber.com