Prespectives on what it is like to operate business in our region.

While these reactions were not unexpected, they nonetheless are not justified when considering the overall picture of what the health sector does in our community. From cancer research and our medical school to outpatient services and mental health, our city is home to a vigorous network of health care services that together make Health Sciences North.

The reality is that any effort to define and promote the important work being preformed within our growing health sector is a worthwhile activity that helps to strengthen efforts to become a region with leading academic health science facilities. 

As we have witnessed over the last decade, the health care landscape has changed considerably. Regions, cities and the health care providers operating within them, of all had to compete for funding, investment, recruitment and retention.  The most successful among them can point to having more doctors, nurses and more research capacity – all of which allows for innovative, cost-effective and responsive patient care.

Ultimately, the introduction of the new name will be a net benefit for everyone – especially the end users of the hospital.  It will define and underscore the determination and direction for delivering high quality patient care, world-class research, teaching and learning in our community and beyond.

Until next time,

Debbi

Last week your chamber announced its support for Market Square as the preferred site for the School of Architecture.  Laurentian University’s $1 million offer to purchase the Market Square site and an additional $2 million for the relocation/accommodation of the vendors to a new home was the tipping point that allowed the chamber’s board of directors to support the win/win/win deal.

It’s a win for the market to re-establish itself in a location that meets the needs of the vendors and perhaps even affords them an opportunity to run their show, their way.  It’s a win for the university to have its preferred site supported by so many community leaders and groups and permits the site development and construction to get underway without delay.  And, most importantly, it’s a huge win for the community to have a new school of architecture located in the downtown where it will have the greatest impact.  At full operation the school will host 400 creative, inspired, eager students and 40 faculty and staff, who will study, work, live, purchase, and play in our downtown, helping to make it a more vibrant, safe and dynamic gathering place.  All that remains is a decision by city council.

Recent media reports and social media excerpts have called into question Council’s leadership and whether or not there is the political will to support Laurentian’s offer.  The decision, this week, will be a test of that leadership for what some are saying is the most creative and important development project in this city since Science North.  Some will recall that the creation of Science North wasn’t without its controversy as well.  Here’s hoping Council makes the right decision.

Until next time, all the best.
Debbi

GSCC Chair Mark Weiman Speaking at the Canadian Chamber AGM

Sudbury delegates recently returned from a very successful annual general meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).  The conference featured noteworthy speakers on competitiveness, the economic and political outlook, marketing, and prosperity, as well as speeches by Minister of Industry Christian Paradis, and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale.

The highlight of the conference for most of the delegates is the day-long policy session when the 82 resolutions submitted by community chambers across the country and the expert policy committees of the CCC were debated.  This process is often referred to as the parliament of business – a democratic process where policy positions are openly debated, sometimes amended and voted upon.  Those that are approved become the official position of the Canadian chamber, which incorporates them into their platform and presents them to government.

I am pleased to report that Sudbury’s resolution entitled, “Assessing the Funding of the Canadian Border Services Agency and Framework of Core Services Review”, was approved by the delegates and will now go forward to the government.  We’ll keep you posted on how it fairs.

A second resolution that we co-sponsored with the Timmins, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Sault Ste Marie chambers, titled, “Creating Equality in Federal Economic Development Agencies in Canada”, had a rougher time but was ultimately supported by the delegates.  It calls for FedNor to become a standalone agency with the same checks and balances as its sister agencies in other parts of the country.

Attendance at these conventions and our work on policy resolutions are necessary steps in our continuing achievement as an accredited with distinction chamber.  You can be proud of the profile your chamber has at these meetings and of the respect by which we are viewed by our colleagues from coast to coast. 

Until next time, all the best.

Debbi

Of course, I admit, I have the most in common with those of my generation – from thought process, work ethic, interests, and attitude – the older colleagues and I are more aligned. And yet, I believe I am learning the most from those born in the late 1970s and ‘80s. This is the generation that grew up with technology – video games, computers, cell phones, etc. There is nothing in that genre that intimidates them. Me on the other hand – it’s more of a struggle.

But I’m getting there. I have been using Facebook for some time and more recently LinkedIn. My BlackBerry is an extension of my office, especially when I am away at a conference or suppose to be on vacation. Last year I launched this blog and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of readers who view it.

The one social media tool I have been resisting for many months is Twitter. I’m just not convinced that it adds or supports anything worthwhile to my already busy agenda. More importantly, I don’t believe I have that many interesting things to tweet about! However, the youth in my office beg to differ and assure me it isn’t as onerous and time-consuming a hassle as I think it might be.

And so my learning continues as I take the next leap; effective today you can follow me at @SudburyCofC.

I only ask that in the next few weeks and months that you be patient as I get comfortable with this new technology and get a feel for what’s worthy fodder and what’s trivial fluff. My 30-something employee can be proud of the fact that he’s brought me into the 21st century, albeit with some hesitation.

Until next time, all the best.

Dianne came to speak to our Far North Task Force and explain government progress on securing land use planning agreements with First Nation communities in the far north and answer some pointed questions about the potential impact this activity may have on business activity in the area.

During the meeting we learned that there are now four First Nations communities that have successfully completed their land use plans (there are a total of 34).  They are Pikangikum, Cat Lake/Slate Falls, Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids.  Four others have begun the process and the MNR hopes they will complete the process over the next year or so.

We also were interested to learn that while the government intends to protect half of the land in the far north, that figure is actually represented in a local way; while some First Nations communities may earmark more land for protection, others will choose not to.  Simply put – no blanket of protected land will occur that strips the entire region of development.

Finally, we heard that despite media coverage highlighting First Nations displeasure with the Act, the MNR experience has been that there is a great deal of buy-in from local chiefs, bands and councils who recognized the activity as the best case for achieving development and traditional lifestyle needs.

In the coming weeks, will issue a joint statement in concert with the other northern chambers on the FNA that we expect will lend clarity and focus to the concerns of businesses who intend to invest in the far north.

Until the next time, all the best,

Debbi

We are pleased to welcome Mark Weiman, partner with Collins Barrow Chartered Accountants as the 2011/12 Chair.  Mark joined the board in 2007 and has been an active member serving on a variety of committees over the years including Advocacy, Audit, Executive and numerous task forces.

A native Sudburian, Mark graduated from Laurentian University before gaining his chartered accountancy designation in 1994 and his chartered business valuation designation in 2000.  He is responsible for the valuation and litigation department and the management and supervision of the engagement for many clients at Collins Barrow.  Mark has participated in various assurance and consulting services to small and medium sized enterprises including the preparation of annual financial statements, the preparation of business plans and projections, and assistance in obtaining financing.

Mark leads a dynamic Board of business leaders from a variety of sectors of the economy representing companies large and small.  The directors include Paul Comacchio (SNAP Sudbury), Michael Cullen (United Way), Julie Dénommé (Lasting Leadership), André Dumais (Bestech), Daniel Giroux (Collège Boréal), Michael Gribbons (Synergy Controls), Peter Luk (Laurentian University), Joseph Mansourian (OvertheAtlantic), Helen Mulc (Greater Sudbury Development Corporation), Tracy Nutt (ServiceMaster of Sudbury), Scott Peterson (Elm Financial), Gary Potts (Xstrata Nickel), Ene Querney (Bestech), Rod St Denis (Sign City) and Jon Treen (Vale).

At its July meeting, the Board will approve our 2011/12 business plan which set out our priorities and course of action for the year.  I’ll share further details about this plan once it receives the thumbs up.  It promises to be an exciting, dynamic, productive year: we’re delighted to have you as a part of it.

As always, we would love to have your feedback.  Any comments, ideas or suggestions you would like to share are gratefully appreciated.

Until next time, all the best.

Debbi

The $21 million in start-up funding means that Sudbury will now lay claim to the first new school of architecture in Canada in over 40 years.  Next to health sciences, architecture is the discipline with the highest post graduate employment rate at 98%.  For every seat available in a school of architecture, it receives thirteen applications, a ratio that has more than doubled in the past decade.

The Sudbury chamber can take some of the credit for this dream becoming a reality.  The first community discussion about creating a school of architecture in Sudbury took place on February 1st, 2007, at a chamber-hosted event.  Rick Haldenby, the director of the Waterloo School of Architecture was our guest at a luncheon with chamber members, university representatives, business stakeholders, local architects and the mayor.  Rick shared his insights on how the Waterloo school had come to be, had outgrown its facilities on campus, renovated and moved to an old linen mill in the centre of Cambridge, and transformed their downtown core.  By the time the meeting was over a “what if” seed had been planted and there was a buzz about the possibilities.  Four years later that seed has germinated and the opportunities and possibilities are at hand.

The Laurentian School of Architecture will bring transformational change to Greater Sudbury and especially to our downtown.  It will generate a significant economic boost during the start up phase of $40 million, followed by an annual operation of $15 million.  Once fully operational it will host 400 students and 32 faculty and staff.  It will help anchor Sudbury as an increasingly important centre for higher education, enhancing our image outside the region, and add the creation of a new brand for our city.

The school will have an enormous impact on the revitalization of the downtown by fostering a culture of creativity and by encouraging new talents in art and design – talents that can flourish here and change the face of our community.  Education – energy – buzz – and vitality in the downtown core: these are tremendous impacts for the quality of life in our city and region.

Kudos are due to so many people who of have helped to make this vision take shape: Rick Bartolucci and the provincial government, Dominic Giroux and the Laurentian board of governors and senate, Blaine Nicholls, Kate Bowman and the School of Architecture Steering Committee, City Council and the GSDC, Dr David Robinson, FedNor, NOHFC, and others.

This is just the beginning: now the real work begins!

Until next time, all the best.

Debbi

Congratulations to Glenn Thibeault and Claude Gravelle on their re-election.  We look forward to working with them as members of the official opposition in addressing the interests and concerns of the area business community.

With a majority government Prime Minister Harper will now be able to enjoy some political stability that we Canadians have not seen since 2004.  For the next four years, the government can govern and many in the business community will be appreciative of this relative period of certainty; we can now begin to consider longer term investment and growth strategies.

We anticipate Mr Harper will announce his new cabinet within days and fast on those heels will be the speech from the throne and the budget.

We look forward to a strong growth strategy that will focus on jobs, productivity, investment, international trade and strengthening the economic recovery.  If the new budget is anything like the one announced just prior to the election call, it will again focus on staying-the-course with plans to eliminate the deficit in the medium term, honouring their corporate tax cut commitments, and restraint in program spending.

One of the federal issues we have been reviewing is FedNor and its ability to effectively meet its mandate.  Industry Canada’s own consultants’ report, released days ago, is critical of the federal economic development agency’s unreasonably long project approval times and its ability to support business growth in the region.  We believe there is significant opportunity for improvement, perhaps even making FedNor a stand-alone agency, and will continue our work in lobbying the government for positive changes.

Until next time, all the best.

Debbi

This election we need to remind the candidates what’s important for business and that a healthy business climate translates into a strong and resilient economy.

Small business is the engine that drives the national economy.  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are responsible from the majority of job creation in this country, province, and city.  SMEs account for forty-five percent of net employment growth, sixty percent of all jobs in the economy, and seventy-five percent of the net employment growth.  Their success is critical of the Canadian economy and their success directly impacts the well being of the national economy and society.

It is important that all candidates familiarize themselves with some of the more important issues that affect business.  Things like taxation, access to skilled labour, research and development, access to capital, reducing red tape, and infrastructure (transportation and communication).  In each case, these can directly influence the ability of business to be successful and competitive. 

Equally important is the voter’s awareness of the candidates’ positions on the issues of important to them.  Ask the candidates where they stand on these and other economic issues and how important they are ranked in their platforms.  Only then can you make an informed decision when marking your ballot.

To help you become better informed on some of the business issues, visit the chamber’s website (www.sudburychamber.ca) where we will be posting the candidates’ responses to four economic questions we asked them in a survey.  The week prior to the election we will be inviting the public to respond to our website poll to select the candidate in the Sudbury and Nickel Belt ridings who are most responsive to the business agenda.  The results of that poll will be made public prior to the election.

Tuesday, April 26th provides another opportunity for you to become better educated about the Sudbury riding candidates’ platforms when the chamber hosts its all candidates’ event.  A similar event was held for the Nickel Belt riding on April 14th.  The all candidates’ event will be held in council chambers at Tom Davies Square beginning at 7:00 pm, and there is no charge to attend.  The public will have an opportunity to submit written questions for the candidates.

So don’t be Switzerland this election.  Share your views with the candidates, know where they stand on the issues of importance to you, and most of all, vote on May 2nd.

Until next time, all the best.