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CAW's Hargrove Calls For More Action On Clean Air
TORONTO- October 19, 2006 Clean Air Act takes previously negotiated voluntary auto emission targets and proposes them as enforceable limits in five years. In doing so the federal government has recognized the achievements and ongoing commitment of the auto industry in reducing emissions.
The CAW supports the principle of regulated improvements. But the auto
industry can do more and the government can help. The auto industry is
Canada's major industrial sector. It supports hundreds of thousands of jobs,
provides important economic spin-offs and much-needed trade surpluses.
"Those strengths create the opportunity for Canada to build a green
automotive future," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove. "Every year governments
in Canada collect over $9 billion in taxes and licensing fees just from the
sale and registration of vehicles alone," he said.
"Some of those funds should be used to leverage investments to produce
new fuel-efficient and alternative fuel products and some should be used to
replace older, less fuel efficient vehicles with new products," Hargrove said.
Protecting the environment and supporting Canadian jobs can go hand in
hand.
The Clean Air Act is not a comprehensive emissions reduction strategy,
Hargrove said. It won't distract Canadians and our union from the government's
refusal to honour Canada's Kyoto Accord commitments.
"We do not accept that intensity based targets will lead to reduced
greenhouse gases and call on the opposition parties to force the government to
live up to Canada's commitment to the Kyoto Accord," Hargrove said.
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CGAs urge the federal government to focus on enhancing Canada's productivity
OTTAWA - Canada's Certified General Accountants urge the federal government to improve Canada's productivity by reducing businesses taxes and reforming regulatory structures. Today, representatives of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA-Canada) will deliver remarks to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of the pre-budget consultation process.
In its submission, Canada's Competitive Edge: Honing Growth and
Productivity, CGA-Canada recommends several measures that would enhance
Canada's business climate including reducing businesses taxes and introducing
a more efficient regulatory framework.
"Canada's productivity is dependent on a competitive tax system," said
CGA-Canada President and CEO Anthony Ariganello, CPA (Delaware), FCGA. "The
government needs to accelerate the introduction of those corporate taxes
reductions previously announced; reduce even further the corporate income tax
rate; reduce the small business rate from 12 per cent to 11 per cent; and
ensure that capital cost allowance rates in Canada are appropriately aligned
with the true life of the relevant asset," added Ariganello.
CGA-Canada also calls for regulatory reform to ensure Canada's future
economic growth. "Canadian businesses are burdened by the cost, complexity and
sheer volume of regulations that hamper productivity," said Ariganello. "The
government should streamline the regulatory regime in an effort to reduce the
compliance burden on businesses," added Ariganello.
CGAs advocate that all new programs and policies be subjected to a
regulatory burden assessment. The result of this assessment would be shared
with individual Canadians and businesses in the form of a regulatory impact
statement.
CGA-Canada also recommends simplifying the tax structure as well as
introducing a consistent tax compliance system which would increase efficiency
in the application of tax regulations. "High regulatory standards, along with
their consistent and efficient enforcement would go a considerable way toward
improving the current business environment," concluded Ariganello.
CGAs believe implementing these recommendations would give Canadians the
competitive edge they need to do business and prosper on the world stage.
CGA-Canada's pre-budget submission can be read at
www.cga-online.org/canada.
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McMaster TAs deliver strong strike mandate as talks resume
HAMILTON - Teaching and research assistants (TAs and RAs) at McMaster University have voted more than 81 per cent in favour of strike action, if McMaster's administration fails to move towards a fair contract settlement, as both parties head back to the bargaining table this week.
Talks between CUPE 3906, representing more than 2,000 TAs and RAs, and
the administration, resume tomorrow as CUPE 3906 tries to avert a lockout or
strike, which could come as soon as October 23. The university triggered the
countdown when it requested a "no board" report from the conciliator on the
very first day of conciliated bargaining.
"Our members are angry and they're looking for a signal that the employer
takes our work issues seriously," said union spokesperson Max Haiven. "We're
teaching huge classes, we're putting in hours of unpaid overtime in order to
give students the help they need and, to top it off, we're looking at an
effective pay cut of $177 to $500 every year because of tuition fee increases.
Nobody can accept that."
"Our members have given us a strong mandate to achieve a fair contract,"
said Sarah Declerck, president of CUPE 3906. "As front-line workers, we have
taken a stand for quality, accessible education."
"We're looking for respect, not a confrontation," said Declerck. "After
all, as both students and workers, we know the risk the administration is
creating for the entire McMaster community. We're asking everyone to contact
the administration and urge them not to lockout workers or force a strike that
will hurt the entire community."
The main issues in negotiations are protection from tuition fee
increases, something already achieved by TAs and RAs at other leading Ontario
universities, protection from overwork and job security.
The TAs and RAs will be holding a rally tomorrow at 11:15 am at the
McMaster campus (between the student centre and Mills library) to raise
awareness of the outstanding issues, and the impact of a lockout or a strike.
Faculty members, other labour organizations and supporters will also
participate in the rally.
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CEP national convention next week
VANCOUVER - One of Canada's largest private sector unions will open its national convention here on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
More than 1,500 delegates from across Canada representing some 150,000
members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada will be
in Vancouver from Oct. 15-19.
CEP is the largest union in several key sectors of the economy: forests,
oil and gas exploration, telecommunications and the media.
CEP Western Region Vice-President Dave Coles will open the convention on
Sunday at 9:45 a.m. Delegates will debate dozens of resolutions including a
call for the Canadian government to withdraw from all military operations in
Afghanistan, unless sanctioned by the UN; to make trade policy more
democratic; and to implement a public pharmacare program. Other resolutions
call on CEP to renew efforts to save jobs through reduced working time; to
build on organizing breakthroughs such as those with Metis and First Nations
workers; and to help Locals become more politically active.
Guest speakers include Maude Barlow, Chair of the Council of Canadians,
and Walden Bello of the University of the Philippines, on Monday; and Ken
Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, Damien Contandriopoulos
of the University of Montreal, and Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C.
Federation of Labour, on Tuesday.
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EU Parliamentary Committee Approves New Chemical Regulations
U.S. and European Industry Fail in Effort to Make Program Less Expensive
Washington, D.C. — U.S. and European firms were unsuccessful in an attempt to make the proposed European policy on chemical regulation more affordable during recent committee consideration of the bill in the EU Parliament. “Even if business had succeeded in reducing paperwork costs, the policy would still have adverse effects around the world,” noted Angela Logomasini, the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s director of risk and environmental policy and author of a study on the topic published by the Brussels-based Hayek Institute.
The program, known as REACH—for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals—would require companies to register more than 30,000 chemicals, the vast majority of which are already on the market. Some chemicals would also have to undergo an evaluation and authorization processes, which can lead to bans and other restrictions.
This week, the Parliament’s environment committee approved the legislation after rejecting industry attempts to allow companies to use data they produced for similar regulations at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the committee approved the so-called substitution principle, which will demand that firms eliminate allegedly dangerous chemicals if there are substitutes.
Industry has continually tried to make REACH a more reasonable program, but unfortunately been unsuccessful. “The problem,” noted Logomasini, “is that REACH is inherently unreasonable; it cannot be fixed because the concept if fundamentally flawed. Industry would be wiser to fight the entire program rather than try to make it less painful. Implementing REACH will cost Europe and its trade partners billions of dollars and not have any benefit whatsoever. It will just reduce innovation and limit access to EU markets.”
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CAW Urges Legislation to Protect Pension Benefits
LONDON, ON - The closure of the Metal Technologies foundry was a devastating blow for Woodstock, but the company's decision to not fully fund its pension plan has turned a bad situation to much worse for retirees and former workers.
"With the company announcing bankruptcy last month, it has left retirees
with uncertain pensions, and former employees under 65 years of age with no
medical benefits," said Ross Gerrie, CAW Local 636 president. "In addition, a
trust fund set up to encourage workers to retire is subject to the bankruptcy
proceedings."
Metal Technologies is a profitable American-based auto parts maker. Its
only Canadian plant was located in Woodstock.
"This is another example of the need for legislation to protect workers
against foreign companies closing Canadian operations and not fulfilling their
obligations to Canadian workers," said Gerrie.
CAW national representative Deb Tveit said many former Metal Technologies
workers and their families in the Woodstock, Ontario area are struggling to
get by because of the parent company's decision to close the plant.
"I'm calling on our local MPs and MPPs to take this issue to their
legislatures and modernize our bankruptcy laws to ensure that workers who are
caught up in a bankruptcy receive all the wages, pensions and benefits to
which they are entitled," Tveit said.
Metal Technologies ceased manufacturing late last year. The CAW
represented more than 100 plant workers and more than 20 who were on layoff at
the time. The plant has existed in Woodstock, under various owners, for more
than 100 years.
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J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Tridel Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Condominium Builders in the Greater Toronto Area
New Condominium Buyers Indicate Room for Improvement in How Some Builders
Handle This Important Purchase
TORONTO - Tridel ranks highest in satisfying buyers of newly built condominiums in the Greater Toronto Area, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Canadian New Condominium Builder Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) released October 11, 2006.
The inaugural study measures customer satisfaction of condominium buyers
throughout the purchase and early ownership experience. Owners are asked to
evaluate their builder in nine factors: customer service, home/building
readiness, building features, home quality, price/value, sales staff, physical
design elements, design centre and location. Tridel leads the industry in
eight of the nine factors.
Tridel is followed in the rankings by Daniels and Monarch, respectively.
All three builders perform well above industry average in the factors that are
most important to new condominium buyers: customer service and home/building
readiness.
"Toronto is already one of the largest condominium markets in North
America, with significant growth predicted in the industry over the next few
years," said Darren Slind, senior director of the new-home builder and
performance improvement practices at the Canadian office of J.D. Power and
Associates. "Given the degree of competition in the GTA new condominium
market, getting on the consideration list of potential buyers is of paramount
concern for all builders."
The study finds there is a clear link between customer satisfaction and
the number of recommendations that builders receive from their customers.
Condominium builders who receive the highest satisfaction ratings enjoy more
than three times the number of recommendations from their customers compared
to the average builder.
Although 42 percent of new-condominium buyers in the GTA indicate they
are either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" (rating the builder a 7 or higher
on a 10-point scale), nearly one in three buyers (31%) indicate their
expectations are not being met, rating their builder a 4 or lower. The market
average for condominium builders in the GTA is 588 on a 1,000-point scale,
compared to 664 for builders of traditional, low-rise homes.
"The purchase of a new home is a significant financial and emotional
decision for most consumers," said Slind. "It is clear that GTA new
condominium buyers are sending a message that there is considerable room for
improvement in how some builders handle this most important purchase. However,
if the satisfaction gains demonstrated by low-rise new home builders in the
GTA is any indication - a 52 index point improvement in 2006 compared to the
inaugural study in 2005 - then we can anticipate condominium satisfaction
levels to also improve in the years to come, assuming condominium builders
make similar efforts to respond to customer expectations."
The study also finds that buyers who purchased their condominium during
the pre-construction phase are significantly less satisfied with their builder
than those who bought a completed unit or during the construction phase. Much
of this difference relates to how well a builder fares in living up to
promises made to buyers before construction begins in terms of when the unit
will be ready for occupancy as well as when the building's common amenities,
such as the lobby, pool, or fitness center will be completed.
"Satisfying customers has a great deal to do with setting realistic
expectations and delivering on promises, which is often a challenge during the
pre-construction phase," said Slind. "However, we find that the leading
builders take a very proactive communications approach with their purchasers
to keep them informed of construction status and to set clear expectations
regarding what will happen next. Given that the entire process between
purchase and occupancy can often exceed two years, this level of customer
engagement throughout the process goes a long way to ensuring a more satisfied
condominium owner."
The 2006 Canadian New Condominium Builder Customer Satisfaction Study is
based on the responses of 1,428 buyers within the Greater Toronto Area whose
condominium homes registered between October 2004 and December 2005.
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Union Blasts Trade Tribunal for Fifteen Month Delay Tactic
Conservative Government Must Step In and Stand Up For Canadian Jobs
TORONTO - The decision by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to do nothing to stem surging imports of Chinese clothing means it's now up to the federal government to stand up for Canadian jobs and negotiate safeguards for the Canadian apparel industry, according to UNITE HERE Canada.
"Countless Canadian jobs have already been lost in the fifteen months it
has taken for them to decide to do nothing and thousands more jobs are at
risk, especially in Quebec," said Alex Dagg, National Co-Director of UNITE
HERE Canada, the union representing clothing workers in Canada.
"It has taken the CITT fifteen months to decide it won't even hear our
complaint. Meanwhile, the government hasn't acted on this file. The Tribunal
and the government have been passing the buck on protecting the Canadian
apparel industry while workers continue to lose their jobs."
On July 7, 2005, UNITE HERE Canada filed a complaint with the CITT in
order to limit Chinese clothing imports surging into the Canadian market and
threatening Canada's tenth largest manufacturing sector. Many other
industrialized and developing nations including the United States and European
Union, and just last month South Africa, have already adopted measures, to
limit clothing imports, that China agreed to as a condition of joining the
WTO.
"Governments of the largest consumer markets in the world have taken
action to ensure their domestic industries are not swamped by Chinese imports.
Why not Canada? We're calling on the government of Prime Minister Harper to
adopt these WTO-sanctioned safeguards," said Dagg.
Alan Victor, President of Jack Victor Limited, a historically important
and large Canadian manufacturer of high quality men's clothing, agrees.
"As a longstanding Canadian manufacturer of men's fine tailored clothing,
we strongly support government action that serves to stabilize the domestic
market," said Victor. "The government should be using all the tools at its
disposal to maintain employment in our industry, including the same
WTO-sanctioned safeguards already implemented by many foreign governments.
These measures assist industries like ours to adjust to changing economic
conditions. It's an important policy that would help workers and companies
make the transition to the post-2005 era."
WTO rules allow member nations to cap the growth of imports from China to
7.5% above the previous year until 2008. Since global quotas on imports were
dropped at the beginning of 2005, clothing imports from China into Canada have
exploded. It is estimated that more than 50,000 jobs in Canada's clothing
industry have been lost already, the majority of them in Quebec.
Lina Aristeo, Director of UNITE HERE's Quebec Council, appearing today at
a press conference with Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe, in his home
riding, to discuss the loss of almost 100 garment workers' jobs, demanded
immediate government action.
"Without government action, Montreal's status as the 3rd largest clothing
manufacturing centre in North America is threatened," said Aristeo. "Our
members' jobs are important and yet their concerns have been shunted from one
government to another, from Ministry to Tribunal. Mr. Harper's government must
step in and stand up for Canadian jobs as they promised to do while in
opposition."
Last year, Stephen Harper when leading the opposition, voted, along with
the rest of his caucus, for an opposition motion pressuring the former Martin
government to negotiate safeguards. In fact, Ted Menzies, the Conservative's
former opposition critic for International and Internal Trade, was critical of
inaction by the government of Paul Martin. Mr. Menzies wrote in a November 5,
2005 press release:
"A Conservative government would stand up for Canadian workers and work
proactively through international trade policies to ensure Canada competes on
a level playing field," Menzies said.
"Time is the enemy of Canadian jobs in the clothing industry when it
comes to imports from China. The CITT used almost fifteen months to decide to
sit on the sidelines. The structure of the WTO agreement means it becomes less
effective as time passes. That's why it's urgent for the Conservative
government to act," Dagg said.
Dagg claimed she had today sent an urgent letter to Minister Flaherty and
Minister Emerson, copied to Prime Minister Harper, asking for immediate action
on negotiating safeguards with China. She further commented that the union had
sent a formal complaint to the CITT regarding the length of time it has taken
for them to decide to not even hear the union's complaint.
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Steelworkers on strike at Goodyear
TORONTO - Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) are on
strike at Goodyear Tire and Rubber operations in Ontario, following the
breakdown of negotiations for new collective agreements in both Canada and the
US.
Issues in the dispute centre on sweeping concessions demanded by the
company and the need to protect jobs throughout the chain.
Hundreds of Steelworkers are involved in the dispute at Goodyear plants
in Collingwood, Owen Sound, Toronto logistics centre, Toronto commercial
retread.
The strike will impact 15,000 USW members and operations at 16 plants in
the US and Canada.
The USW represents 280,000 men and women working in every sector of
Canada's economy.
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Steelworkers urge Calvert to look at withdrawing Weyerhaeuser SK timber rights
WINNIPEG - The United Steelworkers (USW) has asked Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert to begin the process of removing Weyerhaeuser Company's huge timber rights in the province.
The union's request came in response to a plant closure notice that
Weyerhaeuser issued earlier this week to 300 employees at its Carrot River
sawmill and its Hudson Bay plywood mill.
The USW asked for a review of the company's nearly 5 million hectares of
timber rights in Saskatchewan.
"The company has failed to live up to the commitments in its forest
license agreement with the people of Saskatchewan. Accordingly we urge you to
immediately review their Forest Management Agreements with an eye to revoking
the timber, since it appears they no longer intend to use it for manufacturing
in our province," wrote Paul Hallen, Saskatchewan USW local president,
together with newly-elected Steelworkers-IWA Council Chair Bob Matters, USW
Western Canada Director Steve Hunt and National Director Ken Neumann.
"What Weyerhaeuser is doing is totally unacceptable," said Neumann. "It
is wrong for that firm, which has cut its manufacturing operations in the
province down to one OSB mill, to hold onto public forests covering almost 5
million hectares, an area almost as great as Nova Scotia. We believe
Saskatchewan should now examine Weyerhaeuser's license agreement with an eye
to removing its timber rights."
Hallen, a native of Hudson Bay, said people in that small town and
citizens of Carrot River are devastated at the news of the planned shutdown.
"This sort of thing tears the guts out of a small town, where not just
the logging and processing jobs are lost, but the entire economy depends on
Weyerhaeuser living up to its commitments to process the timber we have given
it."
Weyerhaeuser's latest proposed closures come in the wake of its April
2004 closure of the Prince Albert pulp and paper mill and its closure of
sawmills near Prince Albert and at Big River.
In spite of its huge access to public timber, closure of the Carrot River
and Hudson Bay mills would leave only a recently-built OSB plant at Hudson
Bay. The firm's recent merger with Domtar Inc. shifted ownership of some
Saskatchewan mills to the newly created entity that will run the companies'
combined Canadian assets.
"People in Hudson Bay should also be concerned about the future of the
remaining OSB plant," said Matters. "If they're only going to run one mill,
they only need timber for one mill."
"We get no signals from Weyerhaeuser that they want to do good with their
timber assets in Saskatchewan," said Hunt. "We say, let's look at taking away
those harvesting rights".
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CAW's Hargrove To Speak At Windsor Town Hall Meeting Sunday About the Future at Ford
WINDSOR - CAW president Buzz Hargrove will speak
about importance of Ford/Nemak jobs in Windsor at a public meeting Sunday,
October 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue and Tecumseh
Road East.
Federal, provincial and municipal politicians, including Windsor Mayor Ed
Francis, will be attending to speak about their role in helping to secure
Ford/Nemak jobs in the future. The meeting has been called by the leadership
of CAW Local 200 in the wake of recent cuts announced by Ford.
The theme of the meeting is Our Jobs, Our Community, Our Future. The
meeting is open to the public and media are welcome to attend.
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Inspiring Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs, Today Youth conferences showcase venture creation as a powerful career option
WATERLOO REGION - Two upcoming conferences will feature and promote entrepreneurism to youth in Waterloo Region.
The first ever Leading Edge Youth Conference happens October 3rd at the Delta Hotel in Kitchener. One hundred and twenty students from high schools across Waterloo Region will participate in a full day of workshops and sessions to inspire and inform.
Mike Farwell, 91.5 The Beat will provide opening remarks, and Mike Wyman, 91.5 The Beat, will provide an inspirational keynote. Workshops include Junior Achievement Titan Business Game competition, Waterloo Region Small Business Centre “Why write it down...secrets to a successful business plan”, and Shad Valley’s Barry Bisson, CEO Shad Valley, “Stretching your limits-the key to success”. The Conference will feature an exhibit area highlighting youth entrepreneurship supports and programs available in the region.
“Getting youth to start thinking about entrepreneurism early is critical,” says Iain Klugman, president, Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association. “What guidance counselor ever seriously advised someone to start your own business? Yet plenty of hugely successful businesses were once start-ups -- we cannot ignore the power of this massive part of our economy, and its powerful growth potential. We need to continue to inform youth that starting one’s own business, being one’s own boss, is a viable and lucrative career option.”
On Saturday September 30th, Canada’s largest student entrepreneurship event, UW Impact, will host more than 2,000 students on campus. Impact exemplifies leadership in entrepreneurship by connecting people, knowledge and ideas, recognizing success, and providing inspiration to leaders at every stage of their development.
Impact speakers include: Denise Donlon, Founder of Much More Music and former President of Sony Music Canada, George Roter and Parker Mitchell, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Engineers Without Borders, Larry Smith, UW Economics Professor and Recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award , Catherine Booth - Vice President, Retail Information Technology, Canadian Tire and many more.
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ITAC Executives to Join Communitech Board in Joint Session Canadian tech leaders meet head-on in Waterloo Region
WATERLOO REGION - Next week, Waterloo Region welcomes Executives from the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) to a joint session with the Board of Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association.
Representatives from ITAC include Dr. Adam Chowaniec, Chair, Ontario Research and Innovation Council, Doug Cooper, Country Manager, Intel of Canada, and Bernard Courtois, President and CEO, ITAC.
It’s the first time a meeting of this kind will occur between the two Boards, a hallmark of Canadian tech leadership meeting head-to-head in a discussion about creating networks, stronger connections, and the future of high tech in Canada.
“ITAC leads on issues relevant to technology in Canada,” says Iain Klugman, president, Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association, “and Waterloo Region is emerging as one of North America’s most important technology centres. It’s only fitting we should combine forces and work together to push forward the tech agenda on the Canadian and international scale.”
On Tuesday October 3rd, a Communitech “Nooner” Luncheon (an Entrepreneur Week event) will feature a panel discussion entitled “Making the Canadian Tech Sector Larger and Stronger,” where ITAC and Communitech Board representatives will rub knees with Andy Canham, President of Sun Microsystems of Canada, in a discussion of the direction of the Canadian IT industry. For more information and to register, visit www.communitech.ca/events
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Chapter is Back … Angela Mondou, Jack Roseman and 40 Expert Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur Week’s hugely popular ‘Chapter’ will ring true and hit hard
WATERLOO REGION - The massively popular Chapter series is back once again by popular demand with this year’s installment “Chapter 4: Your Business Life Cycle – Time to Grow”. More resources, more entrepreneurs, more energy and moxy, and incredible inspirational keynotes with Angela Mondou, author of “Hit the Ground Leading” and CEO of ICE Leadership, and Jack Roseman, author of “Outrageous Optimism: Wisdom for the Entrepreneurial Journey,” Director of Collaborate, Inc. and Advisor to the Donald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurship, Carnegie Mellon University.
Chapter 4 also features 40 expert entrepreneur roundtables in three rapid-fire networking sessions. Entrepreneurs from Waterloo Region will come together to mentor and share their experiences with more than 400 attendees expected at Chapter 4. All of this, and the event is FREE.
“It’s incredibly important to bring a power-packed, tactical workshop session such as this one to Waterloo Region and make it free for aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Iain Klugman, president, Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association. “We’re serious about startup. It’s what Entrepreneur Week and Waterloo Region are all about. We want our entrepreneurs to succeed.”
Angela Mondou is a former Air Force captain and marketing executive whose unique and unconventional career has taken her from worldwide military operations to top-ranked high-tech companies, most recently Research in Motion, the creators of BlackBerry. Now an entrepreneur, Angela has taken her unique leadership experience to a whole new level. She is a powerful national speaker on leadership and career strategies, delivers leading-edge workshops and has just released a unique leadership book called Hit the Ground Leading!
Jack is co-author with Steve Czetli of Outrageous Optimism, offering a unique view of a life in entrepreneurship, with valuable tips and advice on dozens of topics that can save you time and help your company grow. Drawing on Jack's experience as negotiator, entrepreneur, professor at Carnegie Mellon University and President of a publicly held company, the presentation is highly motivational with a tangible payoff. Jack has more credential than we know what to do with. He was president of On-Line Systems Inc, CEO of United Computing International, and founded Heliodyne Corporation. He has been a Director and Chairman for numerous firms, and has served as an educator and advisor at Carnegie Mellon University directing various entrepreneur curricula. His feature columns bear titles like The Lonely CEO, Hiring and Motivating Key People, and The Makings of Effective Negotiation.
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Feds caught in a web of resistance: Still time to stop the softwood deal say Steelworkers
TORONTO and OTTAWA - United Steelworkers'(USW) National Director Ken Neumann said Thursday the federal government is getting tangled in a web of deceit and resistance because of the haste with which it has attempted to push through Parliament its softwood lumber deal with the US in advance of a self-imposed Oct. 1 deadline.
"Reports of resistance by about 20 lumber companies not prepared to
withdraw litigation, coupled with David Emerson's misrepresentation of how
much resistance there actually is, should send a message to Canadians that
this is a bad deal for the industry and, therefore, a bad deal for Canada,"
said Neumann.
A team of USW rank-and-file lobbyists have been on Parliament Hill all
this week, explaining the union's opposition to Bill C-24. The union
represents more than 50,000 forestry workers across Canada.
"In spite of the prime minister's assertion that Canada will get 'full
and free access' to the US lumber market, our market share is capped at
34 per cent," said Neumann. "As has been reported, the deal means lumber
shipments will face a 15-per-cent export tax as they leave Canada and a
10.8- per-cent import duty when they cross into the US.
"Meanwhile, unprocessed raw logs will continue to cross the border duty
free, raising the incentive for firms to ship raw logs to the US and
eliminating thousands of Canadian manufacturing jobs."
Neumann added that this week in Parliament is further proof that, from
the beginning, the deal has been hurried through without adequate consultation
and scrutiny.
"The government's haste gives every impression that this deal was cooked
up for political reasons rather than with the best interests of the Canadian
forest sector, its workers or resource-based communities in mind."
As rank-and-file lobbyists have recorded MPs' position on softwood
lumber, Neumann vowed that, regardless of the final outcome of the vote,
softwood lumber will be an election issue.
"MPs' positions will be communicated to resource-based communities and
Canadians everywhere," he said. "With an industry as important to Canada's
future as forestry, there is a need to know who stands up for Canada and who
does not."
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Elect Municipal Councils Who Will Fight For Northern Ontario Forestry Say Steelworkers
THUNDER BAY - The United Steelworkers (USW) says the upcoming municipal elections are critical to putting pressure on the Ontario Government to make Northern Ontario forestry and the communities that depend on the industry a priority.
"We are losing too many jobs in the north," says USW-IWA Council Chair
Norm Rivard. "The provincial government sits on its hands and municipal
councils are not doing enough. Northern voters need to send a strong message
to Queen's Park by electing men and women who are prepared to fight for our
communities."
Rivard said the USW, which counts among its 288,000 members across Canada
about 50,000 in the forest sector, is promoting candidates who share the
union's view that re-building northern logging, sawmilling and paper-making is
crucial to maintaining the northern economy.
The USW has been part of a coordinated campaign involving the Ontario
Federation of Labour and its affiliates to put pressure on the Ontario
Government. Municipal elections are a part of that strategy.
"Without strong advocates on municipal councils, we will see more ghost
towns, more unemployment and more despair. Politicians from the south need to
come north to see what the politics of doing nothing has done to families and
communities."
Rivard said the USW has immediate plans to hold community meetings in
affected areas such as Kapuskasing and Hearst.
"The Ontario economy has already lost too much," he said. "We see the
municipal elections as an opportunity to further the cause of forestry
workers."
Rivard re-stated the union's position on solving the forestry crisis:
"-Provincial assistance for companies by reducing electricity rates,
subject to employment guarantees to ensure maximum employment in our
communities;
"-Financial assistance from all levels of government to immediately
implement a comprehensive investment strategy for Northern Ontario for both
employees and employers;
"-Government commitment to closely monitor all forest products to ensure
that companies process the wood in the surrounding communities."
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Waterloo Researcher Awarded Ontario Centres of Excellence Fellowship
TORONTO - The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. has presented its annual $100,000 Martin Walmsley Fellowship for Technological Entrepreneurship to Christian Kaufmann, President of Strike Face Technology of Waterloo.
Strike Face Technology developed a unique body armour system capable of
withstanding .50 caliber armour piercing bullets. The system is lightweight,
facilitating mobility, while providing maximum protection. The hybrid armour
system consists of a ceramic plate with composite and blunt trauma layers and
can be used to protect people as well as vehicles.
Strike Face Technology evolved from OCE-supported research at the
University of Waterloo and also received business development and start-up
assistance from OCE. The Martin Walmsley Fellowship will allow the company to
further develop its technology and market to military and police customers in
North America and around the world.
"Christian Kaufmann and Strike Face Technology reflect the combination of
cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial spirit required to build a more
competitive Ontario," said Mark Romoff, OCE's President and CEO. "We're proud
of OCE's role in bringing Strike Face Technology to this stage, and pleased to
assist them in reaching the next level of commercial development." Mr. Romoff
presented the Walmsley Fellowship at OCE's annual general meeting in Toronto.
The Martin Walmsley Fellowship for Technological Entrepreneurship
facilitates the transition of OCE-funded, university-based research into an
innovative business venture. Candidates are selected by an expert panel and
judged on a variety of criteria, including commercial viability and the
strength of business planning. The Fellowship honours the vision of Dr. Martin
Walmsley, who helped found the Ontario Centres of Excellence program in 1987.
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CFIB: Business confidence takes upward jump in 3rd quarter, 2006
TORONTO - Results of the latest quarterly survey of small- and medium-sized enterprises, by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) show that business confidence took a sizeable jump. The CFIB Quarterly Business Barometer Index stands at 108.6 (1988=100), almost a point and a half above where it stood in June.
"This puts us back in the high range of expectations measured in the past
five years, which suggests good prospects for the economy for the rest of this
year and into next," said CFIB's chief economist, Ted Mallett.
Overall, about 45 per cent of all business owners say their firms are
doing much better or slightly better than one year ago, while only 22 per cent
say they are doing somewhat or much worse. However, longer-term expectations
are more positive, with 49 per cent of business owners expecting stronger
performance during the next twelve months, and only 13 per cent expect a
weaker year ahead.
Mallett said the data reveal some distinct differences when segmented
into regions. "Carrying on a two-year trend, businesses in BC and Alberta lead
their eastern counterparts in confidence by a sizeable margin. Confidence in
both provinces, near their historical highs close to the 120 mark, are fully
eight points or more higher than the next most positive province - Nova
Scotia."
He noted businesses in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland &
Labrador, are keeping with the improving national average in the 105-to-108
range, while Business confidence in Manitoba, New Brunswick and PEI fell
somewhat from mid-year.
On the employment front, Mallett said, the increase in overall confidence
is matched by a corresponding increase in hiring expectations. About 32 per
cent of business owners are expecting to increase full-time employment in the
next 12 months - three percentage points higher than in June.
When asked about factors affecting their businesses, Mallett said that
respondents reported improvements in several key areas. "Both energy prices
and insurance premiums have come down in a way that has helped our members
ramp up their capital investment plans," said Mallett.
Mallett concluded by saying that with small business owners planning to
maintain demand in the labour market, which supports the consumer sector, and
the positive news they are reporting in terms of input costs, we expect to see
a strong finish to 2006.
This survey was conducted among a stratified sample of CFIB members
between September 5 and September 16, 2006, and drew 1,769 responses. The
national results are accurate to within +/- 2.4 percentage points, 19 times
out of 20.
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INNOVATION IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS Entrepreneur Week is here!
Entrepreneur Week creates a unique opportunity in Waterloo Region for entrepreneurs of tomorrow to form rich connections with mentors, professional service firms, investors, government and business organizations. More than twelve community and business organizations will come together to deliver a full week of events, speakers, and forums for you to connect and accelerate your ideas. Visit www.entrepreneurweek.ca for a full listing of all Entrepreneur Week events information and for event registration.
For sponsorship offerings and information please call Sherryl at 519-888-9944 x25
September 29th
Entrepreneur Week Gala Opening and Inaugural Inductions to the 'Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame' with Heather Reisman, President and CEO, Indigo Books, and Gerald Schwartz, Chairman and CEO, ONEX Corporation
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association, Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region
Location: The Embassy Room, Bingemans
Time: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: $141.00 per person ($1132.00 per eight-person table)
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
October 3rd
Communitech "Nooner" Luncheon with Andy Canham, President, Sun Microsystems of Canada, Dr. Adam Chowaniec, Chair, Ontario Research and Innovation Council, and Doug Cooper, Chair, Information Technology Association of Canada
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association
Location: The Embassy Room, Bingemans
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Cost: Members $41.00 Plus GST; Non-Members $48.00 Plus GST
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
October 4th
“Public Venture Capital: Are you ready?” Entrepreneurial Boot Camp
Presented by: TSX Venture Exchange
Location: Berkeley Room, Bingemans
Time: 8:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $65
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
October 5th
Chapter 4: "Your Business Life Cycle – Time to Grow" Featuring Angela "Hit the Ground Leading" Mondou and Jack "Outrageous Optimism" Roseman and 40 Expert Entrepreneur Workshop Roundtables
REGISTRATION FOR CHAPTER 4 IS NOW OPEN!
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association
Location: The Ballroom, Bingemans
Time: 3:00-7:00pm
Cost: FREE
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
October 6th
“Art of the Start” with Guy Kawasaki, CEO, Garage.com at the Entrepreneur Week Exit Event
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association
Location: Fed Hall, University of Waterloo Campus
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Cost: FREE
For more information and registration for these community events, please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
For more information on all Entrepreneur Week events, visit http://www.entrepreneurweek.ca
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iCON presents The 2006-07 Calendar of Events
It’s going to be an exciting year! We kicked-off the year in style with “A Grand Vision,” hearing from Ken Seiling and Iain Klugman who shared their visions for the future of business in Waterloo Region and surrounding area. They also brought us up to speed on some of the initiatives they are embarking on to market the Region and Communitech to the “outside world.”
And that was just the beginning!! A full schedule of events has been planned from now through May of 2007.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend with a colleague, business associate or friend or two!
October 16 Marketing WITH Your Customer,
Not TO Your Customer
Featuring: Paul Kalbfleisch, RIM
November 20 Top 5 at 5 and Auction
5 Retailers from 5 different sectors filling us in
on the hottest items of the season
Auction event – whether you prefer a live, silent
or Chinese format we’ll have something for
everyone!
December 11 Wild Game and Casino Night
Get ready for lip-smacking goodness as we bring
you the best Canadiana has to offer from our
Canadian wilds: moose, deer, boar, elk, and
more ….
January 8 Cannes Advertising Film Festival
Featuring: Alexander Haag, Brighthouse
3600 Marketing
Princess Twin Cinemas, Waterloo
Always a smash hit. The iCON crowd gets a
sneak peak at the year’s best international ads
AND hears from a leading speaker on trends in the
advertising world
February 19 Jay Powers, Fastenal
March 19 Jim Brickman, Brick Brewery (TBC)
Brick Brewery
It will be a couple of days late for St. Paddy’s Day,
but we hope you’re still in the mood for a beer
tasting and to hear how the Brick is surviving as a
small brewery in a changing global market
April 16 Advertising Awards
Always exciting, this biannual event will put the
spotlight on the region’s best and brightest
creative minds in all media formats. We are very
pleased to have the Conestoga College PR
program working with us as Project Leaders this
year
May 28 Annual iCON Golf Tournament
Venue: MerryHill Golf Club
And, for those who are already thinking about the
2007 Golf season….. Our annual event is
scheduled for the last Monday of May
We will be mixing things up a bit as well in the venues and in the meals – Bingemans, Princess Twin Cinemas, Brick Brewery – full buffet, fajita bars, wine and cheese event, beer tasting, sit-down functions.
We look forward to having YOU be an invaluable part of what is planned.
Guest Tickets: $40 plus gst (VISA accepted)
Advanced booking required (for members and guests).
To reserve your seat, contact Gabriele Korschewitz at 519.743.3501 x. 19 or gkorsch@alko.com
Be sure to invite friends, colleagues, or business associates to join you!!
More details on this event and the Club can be found at www.iconsalesandmarketing.com
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Steelworkers report on CVRD fact-finding project
TORONTO and SUDBURY - After being privatized in the 1990s, the Brazilian company that seeks to take over Inco Ltd. moved towards outsourcing union jobs and restraining wage increases.
This was one of the things that a delegation of members of the United
Steelworkers (USW) discovered in a week-long trip to Brazil to find out more
about Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD).
USW Local 6500 executive member Alex Patterson, Northeastern Ontario Area
Coordinator Dan O'Reilly and Researcher Charles Campbell were in Brazil from
Sept. 10-14. They met with Brazilian unions that represent CVRD workers
throughout Brazil.
Meetings organized by the Central Unica Dos Trabalhadores (CUT), a major
Brazilian labour federation, were held over two days, followed by a mining
region tour and meetings with social and community activists.
The meetings produced an agreement to form a network of Brazilian CVRD
unions and plans to continue contacts between the network and the Steelworkers
in Canada.
In addition to the fact-finding project, the USW is reviewing CVRD
operations and future plans. The plan includes arranging for Brazilian union
members to visit Sudbury.
"Our goal is to do the best possible job for our members and this trip
was part of that commitment," said Dan O'Reilly. "We learned a lot from the
Brazilian unions that will help us in the event that CVRD wins Inco."
"We work in a global mining world," said Alex Patterson. "So the union
needs to go global too. We learned a lot about CVRD's history and its approach
to labour relations."
Media in Brazil are interested in the Canadian connection and conducted
interviews with the Steelworkers, which appeared in several newspapers.
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New Study Raises Serious Concerns About Canada-Korea Free Trade
OTTAWA - An economic study of the federal government's proposed Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement raises major concerns over the impact of the deal, including the loss of more than 33,000 Canadian manufacturing jobs.
CAW president Buzz Hargrove released the study today in Ottawa after
meeting with International Trade Minister David Emerson to highlight the
negative impact of Canada-Korea Free Trade.
"It makes no sense at all for the Canadian government to be pushing for a
free trade agreement with Korea at a time when many manufacturers in Canada,
including the Big Three automakers, are struggling to maintain and build
markets."
The study, titled Employment Implications of Trade Liberalization With
East Asia, was prepared by CAW economist Jim Stanford and Daniel Poon, from
Carleton University's School of Public Administration.
It looks at the employment impacts of Canada's existing bilateral trade
relationships with East Asia, including Japan, China and Korea and the likely
employment effects of the proposed Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
"In total, our current trade with East Asia results in the net loss of
over 180,000 Canadian jobs," the study indicates. "Most of this job loss is
due to our trade with China, but significant jobs losses also result from our
current trade with Korea and Japan."
"Strategic, high-technology sectors such as computers, machinery, and
transportation equipment (especially motor vehicles) have experienced the
worst of the job losses - contrary to the traditional assumption that only
'low-technology' sectors such as clothing and footwear will lose out under
trade liberalization."
To read the complete text of the study, go to:
www.caw.ca/campaigns&issues/ongoingcampaigns/korea/index.asp
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CAMBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND BELL CANADA
CELEBRATE ENTREPRENEUR WEEK WITH 2 DAY CONFERENCE
Cambridge, ON – The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Bell Canada present “Winners Want the Ball”, a 2 day conference for Entrepreneurs in the Cambridge area. The conference was designed to Motivate, Educate and Inspire all Entrepreneurs.
“We are committed to offering our members the tools that allows small businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and job creators to succeed and prosper. We understand the enormous contributions small businesses make to our communities and our families.” said Cambridge Chamber of Commerce General Manager, Greg Durocher.
The conference will take place on October 3 and 4th during Entrepreneur Week at the Holiday Inn Cambridge, 200 Holiday Inn Dr.
Day 1 - Tuesday, October 3, 2006
7:30 - 9:00 am - "Winners Want the Ball" with Dr. Bob Tracz
Discover The Winning Secrets Used By Only The Most Successful Business People, Entrepreneurs And Athletes!
These Secrets Are Guaranteed To Stimulate Your Mind, Capture Your Heart And Produce Results – No Matter What You Do.
In sports and business you succeed or fail based on your results. Winners consistently produce winning results and so can you. Imagine developing and maintaining a life of passion for what you do, tackling any task and succeeding every time. Sound too good to be true? Not to the over 5000 high achievers and successful business people interviewed before developing this program.
In fact this program is a product of the secrets these successful entrepreneurs shared. In business there are results or reasons. Reasons don’t matter… Results do!
Winners want the ball… Winners want results. After this program you will be focused 100% on results... winning results. Bring your team because you’ll want to share this information.
9:15 - 11:45 am - The Service Mission - Achieving Excellence in Customer Service Through Leadership & Mission with Dr. Chris Bart
More than ever, customers demand that they receive the best service and quality for their money. They can and will take their money to where the best value exists. The challenge for organizations committed to the highest level of customer service is to create, maintain and increase such service levels on a daily basis throughout their entire organization.
While many organizations “talk” great service, most fail in the consistency of delivery and never win the long term loyalty of their customers. The Service Mission shows that the true worth of service values comes from the extent to which they are woven into daily practice rather than merely professed. To make service excellence a reality requires both leadership and a sense of mission.
In this presentation, Dr Chris Bart shows how high quality service involves changing the attitudes and behaviours of employees at all levels, especially senior managers. He demonstrates how all employees need to help translate the service mission into action so it becomes part of the fabric of your organization’s day-to-day operations.
12:00 - 1:30 pm - State of the City Address Lunch with Mayor Doug Craig
Mayor Doug Craig is a positive influence on prosperity for our community, and he will communicate his message to the community through your Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Craig will focus on the milestone of the past year, and take us out to the next year beyond with his Council’s vision and objectives for this great city to do business in.
1:45 - 4:15 pm - Taking Control of Your Time Toni Veiledal of McDonald Green
Learn techniques to enhance efficient and effective time management. Self Monitoring and Analyzing, Learning to Prioritize, A Simple Plan, Managing a Project, The Power of Proper Delegation, Controlling Distractions, Learning to Say No, Keys to Organization, Avoiding Procrastination, Committing to Success.
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Salute to Small Business with James (Jim) L. Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO Research In Motion (RIM) Inspirational Speech.
He is responsible for directing RIM's strategy, business development and finance. In 2002, Jim founded The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), a world-class global research institute focused on the restructuring of international governance, with particular emphasis on financial and economic institutions.
Jim is a Graduate of the University of Toronto and the Harvard School of Business. He is a Chartered Accountant and elected as a Fellow of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants. Jim also holds a Doctorate Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Day 2 - Wednesday, October 4, 2006
9:15 - 11:45 am - 3 Easy Steps to Double your Business in the Next 12 Months - Part 1
1:45 pm - 4:15 pm - 3 Easy Steps to Double your Business in the Next 12 Months- Part 2
If you work from home, own a small business or home-based business, need to advertise or use marketing communication then stop wasting your time and money with systems that don’t work.
This program is guaranteed to work whether your business is start up, in decline or doing fine but you are the type of person that wants to do better and make more money.
Do your advertisements, brochures, websites, etc. do that? Do you want them to?
12 noon - 1:30 pm - Entrepreneur Lunch with John Keating, CEO COM DEV. Inspirational Speech.
Mr. Keating was born and educated in England where he studied mechanical and production engineering at Leicester Polytechnic under the sponsorship of Marconi Radar Systems. During the 20 years that ensued, Mr. Keating filled a wide range of operational and management positions in high technology companies in Britain, Holland and Canada.
He joined COM DEV in 1992, progressing from the management of major programs, business units and operations to being appointed the President of COM DEV Wireless (later called COM DEV Broadband) in 1998, President of COM DEV Space in 1999 and Chief Operating Officer in 2001.
As COO, he played a pivotal role in the Company's restructuring success in 1999 and 2000 when COM DEV achieved record sales and backlogs. Following the collapse of wireless markets in 2001 and 2002, he was appointed CEO with a mandate to again restructure by returning the company to its roots as a focused Space hardware company. Mr. Keating succeeded Keith Ainsworth as Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2002.
Registration is available on-line at www.cambridgechamber.com (under events). For additional information on the events please call Lisa at 519.622.2221. ext 2229.
Discounted Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Member rates available.
In partnership with Communitech, visit www.entrepreneurweek.ca for more information on events during Entrepreneur Week September 29 – October 6.
For further information on the program, contact:
Greg Durocher
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
General Manager
750 Hespeler Road
Cambridge, Ontario N3H 5L8
Tel: 519.622.2221 Ext 2223
Fax: 519.622.0177
Mail to: greg@cambridgechamber.com
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Another signing won't hide lack of lumber deal say Steelworkers
TORONTO - The Canadian and US governments are signing the softwood lumber deal for the third time but there really is still no deal, say the United Steelworkers (USW).
USW National Director Ken Neumann said Tuesday's 'official signing'
follows signings on April 26 and July 1.
"But many companies still have not withdrawn their legal challenges to US
protectionist measures," he said. "Nor have they agreed to turn $1-billion
over to George W. Bush and US companies. And Parliament has not passed
legislation to allow collection of a 15-per-cent border tax on Canadian lumber
exports to the US. This deal is a long way from concluded."
Instead, Neumann said Steelworkers believe that this third signing is an
attempt by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government to convince
Canadians that, in spite of mounting opposition and growing skepticism about
the merits of the deal, it will actually go through.
"Canadians are learning just how bad this deal is," said Neumann. "Our
exports will be capped at 34 per cent and subject to a 15-per-cent border tax,
a rate even higher than the current US combined duty of 10.8 per cent.
"They also realize that we are throwing away our impressive series of
legal victories, most recently the US Court of International Trade's ruling
that the duties are illegal and its order that at least part of the money
illegally collected must be returned.
"Canadians also see that US lumber producers will be further protected by
the so-called 'surge mechanism', a tax on efficiency that punishes Canada's
most productive lumber producers. The US will still have a significant degree
of control over Canadian provinces' forest policies.
"Meanwhile, this deal depended on the creation of a $450-million
political slush fund for George Bush and another $500-million for the
Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, the group of US firms that started the
softwood fight. Yet it mandates not one cent in forest-sector investment in
Canadian jobs, manufacturing plants or communities."
Neumann said that Steelworkers will step up their campaign against the
deal with a lobby in Ottawa the week after Parliament reconvenes on
September 18. Union locals across Canada are already meeting MPs, sending
thousands of post cards asking MPs to defeat the deal, running ads in local
media and informing USW members of the agreement's flaws.
"This will be a fundamental political issue. MPs who support the deal
will feel the pain in the next election," Neumann warned.
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Communitech Weekly eBlast-September 13, 2006
1. Upcoming Communitech Events
INNOVATION IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS
Entrepreneur Week is Coming! Mark your calendar: Sept 29th-Oct 6th, 2006
Entrepreneur Week creates a unique opportunity in Waterloo Region for entrepreneurs of tomorrow to form rich connections with mentors, professional service firms, investors, government and business organizations. More than twelve community and business organizations will come together to deliver a full week of events, speakers, and forums for you to connect and accelerate your ideas. Visit www.entrepreneurweek.ca for a full listing of all Entrepreneur Week events information and for event registration.
For sponsorship offerings and information please call Sherryl at 519-888-9944 x25
Entrepreneur Week Gala Opening and Inaugural Inductions to the 'Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame' with Heather Reisman, President and CEO, Indigo Books, and Gerald Schwartz, Chairman and CEO, Onex Corporation
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association, Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region
Location: The Embassy Room, Bingemans
Time: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: $141.00 per person ($1132.00 per eight-person table)
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
Don't Cry in Your Beer - How Failure Breeds Success
Panel Session with Jim Estill, CEO, SYNNEX Canada, Ron Neumann, former CEO of Slipstream Data, Dave Caputo, CEO, Sandvine, Yvan Couture, CEO, InDimensions Systems, and Jim Brickman, Founder, Brick Brewery
Presented by: The Accelerator Centre
Location: 295 Hagey Boulevard, Waterloo, The Accelerator Centre, University of Waterloo Research + Tech Park
Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
Cost: FREE
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
Communitech "Nooner" Luncheon with Andy Canham, President, Sun Microsystems of Canada, Dr. Adam Chowaniec, Chair, Ontario Research and Innovation Council, and Doug Cooper, Chair, Information Technology Association of Canada
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association
Location: The Embassy Room, Bingemans
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Cost: Members $41.00 Plus GST; Non-Members $48.00 Plus GST
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
Leading Edge Youth Conference with Keynote from Mike Wyman, 91.5 The Beat
Presented by: The Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region, Junior Achievement, SHAD International and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
Location: The Delta Hotel, Kitchener
Time: 8:30am-2:30pm
Cost: Free for students
“Public Venture Capital: Are you ready?” Entrepreneurial Boot Camp
Presented by: TSX Venture Exchange
Location: Berkeley Room, Bingemans
Time: 8:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $65
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
Chapter 4: "Your Business Life Cycle – Time to Grow" Featuring Angela "Hit the Ground Leading" Mondou and Jack "Outrageous Optimism" Roseman and 40 Expert Entrepreneur Workshop Roundtables
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association
Location: The Ballroom, Bingemans
Time: 3:00-7:00pm
Cost: Free
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
“Art of the Start” with Guy Kawasaki, CEO, Garage.com at the Entrepreneur Week Exit Event
Presented by: Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association
Location: Fed Hall, University of Waterloo Campus
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Cost: Members $41.00 Plus GST; Non-Members $48.00 Plus GST
For more information and registration please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
For more information on Communitech Events, please contact Lisa Thompson lisa@communitech.ca
* * *
2. News You Can Use
Communitech receives $1M from Ontario Government to support commercialization
Visit http://www.communitech.ca/media_centre/communitech_news.aspx
Accelerator welcomes Communitech as new tenant
Visit http://www.communitech.ca/media_centre/communitech_news.aspx
Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region announces launch of Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame during Entrepreneur Week
Visit http://www.communitech.ca/media_centre/communitech_news.aspx
* * *
3. Communitech Welcomes New Members
September's New Members
Sunagency
Michelin Development
Gemba Consulting
Global Operation Integrity
Mettetech Industries
Miovision
* * *
4. Entrepreneur Start-up Lab
Creative thinkers, job-generators, risk-takers, mavericks. Whether launching a business is a way to build wealth, fulfill a technological dream, or give back, Communitech is here to support you throughout the lifecycle of entrepreneurial venture support resources.
For more information, visit http://www.communitech.ca/membership/entrepreneur_startup_lab.shtml or contact Gary Swill gary@communitech.ca
* * *
5. WANTED: www.waterlootechjobs.com
Need tech talent? Searching for the perfect employee? Get involved with Communitech recruitment initiatives. Recruitment events, job fairs, job site, media campaigns and more. Gain profile, participate in events, and learn from your tech HR peers. Communitech's recruiting strategy is in high gear and we can help you get in front of highly qualified candidates.
COMING SOON:
September 30, 2006 - WLU Golden Hawks vs UW Warriors Football @ UW Homecoming – “Get a Life in Waterloo Region” Tech Recruiting Tent
US East Coast Boomerang Recruiting Events - Boston, Washington DC, Raleigh
US West Coast Boomerang Recruiting Events - Seattle, Silicon Valley, Dallas
November 22nd TechVibe Recruiting Event, Playdium, Mississauga
For more information, please contact Thom 519-888-9944x46 thom@communitech.ca
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Waterloo Region tech firms offer great jobs, hot technology, top
companies at career fair
WATERLOO REGION - Tomorrow, tech firms in Waterloo Region are banding together to recruit on campus at the University of Waterloo. Armed with free t-shirts, giveaways and looking to fill tech jobs, firms participating in the career fair will be recruiting on site at the Davis Centre, from 11:00am-7:00pm.
"The 'Go High Tech, Stay Local' career fair puts us in front of students
and raises awareness of tech opportunities right here in Waterloo
Region," says Janice Retterath, Chair, HRnet. " 'Go High Tech' has been
happening for years, in part because it's such an effective way for tech
firms to get in front of students."
The career fair will feature Christie Digital, Desire2Learn,
IntelliResponse/Comtext, Kaleidescape, Open Text, The Peer Group, RIM
Research in Motion, Sandvine, Sybase/iAnywhere, and Tech Capital
Partners, representing the hottest early stage technology companies
including Covarity, DiskStream Inc., Handshake VR, LiveHive Systems,
Sirific, Software Innovation and more. The career fair will also feature
Communitech's local tech jobs portal, waterlootechjobs.com.
Desire2Learn, a Waterloo Region eLearning software firm, is just one of
many local tech firms vying for technically skilled people. "Our rapid
growth means we need an ever increasing number of highly educated and
skilled people," says John Baker, President and CEO, Desire2Learn. "Our
success depends on finding the most innovative talent and ideas, and
this event is a great opportunity to meet one-on-one with individuals
that we hope will be future leaders within our organization."
Throughout the day, thousands of students will pass through the Davis
Centre, and hundreds more will come just to meet with tech recruiters
onsite.
"Our colleges and universities are our community's best assets in talent
creation," says Iain Klugman, president, Communitech. "Many students
never venture off campus, so they don't understand some of the best
propositions for employment are right here in Waterloo Region. We need
to do more to keep them here."
While the career fair is targeted at the student population, it is also
a great opportunity for job seekers to meet face to face with tech
recruiters.
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Steelworkers work with Stelco salaried employees to secure their future
HAMILTON and NANTICOKE, ON - Salaried employees working at Stelco's operations in Hamilton and Nanticoke are engaged in a campaign to join the United Steelworkers (USW).
There are more than 700 office, administrative and technical staff
working for Stelco in Hamilton and Nanticoke.
"Support is strong and growing for this campaign, and we are committed to
helping these employees," said USW Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser.
"Together we'll help them build their own new local union and develop a
collective agreement that meets their unique needs.
"These are hard-working people who have given years to Stelco. They
deserve to have a real voice in the decisions that affect them at work," said
Fraser. "They have watched our locals at Lake Erie and Hilton Works win good
new collective agreements, which protect their terms of employment and secure
strong increases and improvements, even during bankruptcy protection
proceedings.
"Meanwhile, salaried employees have had cuts and rollbacks imposed on
them. Stelco's restructuring took a big whack at these folks and that is just
not right. They deserve a fair deal, and as Steelworkers they'll have the
ability to get it."
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9-11 Anniversary: Union security officers meet to review airport security
OTTAWA - Five years after 9-11, members of the United Steelworkers' (USW) Security Council Airport Screeners are meeting for two days to review the concerns they still have, including the direction of work, licensing, training, regulations and working conditions.
The USW represents more security officers in Canada than any other union.
In the five years since 9-11, the union has worked to make the job of airport
security more permanent and stable through collective bargaining and the
political process.
The meeting will review such issues as responsibility and remuneration.
"Our members are still faced with confusion about whether their work is
directed by security company employers, who provide the service on contract,
or by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)," said USW
National Director Ken Neumann.
Neumann said confusion remains at security check-in points over who is in
charge of employees' day-to-day ability to remain employed.
"Is it the company that issues the paycheques, or CATSA, which controls
licensing? We want our employees to understand one set of instructions on the
job, one authority and one job. Since the establishment of CATSA, that line of
authority remains unclear."
Other concerns include reductions in security staffing, despite growing
and ever-changing demands on the list of prohibited carry-on items.
Within its total Canadian membership of 280,000 working men and women,
the USW represents about 26,000 security officers working for private
companies such as, Group 4, Wackenhut, Securitas, Kolossal, Garda, the Corps
of Commissionaires, Aerogard and more.
About 1,000 Steelworker members provide passenger and baggage screening
services at several airports: Montreal Dorval, Quebec City, Mont-Joli,
Sept-Iles, Baie Comeau, Ottawa, Regina, Halifax, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie,
Timmins, Windsor, Sarnia, Moncton, Charlottetown, Sydney NS, Bathurst NB, St.
John's, Gander, Deer Lake, Stephenville, Goose Bay, and Wabush, Labrador.
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Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region Announces Launch of Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame during Entrepreneur Week
WATERLOO REGION, Ontario -- The first ever Gala Opening of Entrepreneur Week, September 29th 2006, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm, in the Embassy Room at Bingemans, will commemorate Canada's entrepreneurial spirit and will feature keynote speakers Heather Reisman, President and CEO, Indigo Books and Gerald Schwartz, CEO, ONEX.
The Gala Dinner will also feature the inaugural inductions of the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, presented by the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region, including the recipients of the Visionary Award (Ms. Reisman and Mr. Schwartz), and the recipient of the Legacy Award posthumously to, Carl A. Pollock (1903-1978), a prominent local business leader that led Electrohome Limited for many years. He also helped found the University of Waterloo in 1957 and was a leader in the communications industry in Canada.
The third annual Entrepreneur Week, September 29th - October 6th, 2006, brings entrepreneurs of tomorrow together with mentors, professional service firms, investors, government, and business organizations. Canada's biggest entrepreneurial conference, includes more than 16 community partners hosting 15 events during Entrepreneur Week, creating the largest celebration of entrepreneurship in Canada. Acknowledging a rich entrepreneurial history, a strong and diverse economic sector, the week celebrates the entrenched spirit of entrepreneurial spirit in Waterloo Region.
For more information and registration to the Gala Dinner please visit: http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx
The Prosperity Council is a partnership of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Communitech: Waterloo Region Technology Association and Canada's Technology Triangle Inc. This Council is a federation formed for the purposes of collectively promoting prosperity in Waterloo Region, and represents over 3400 businesses. |
Conference to Feature Technology Leader Dr. Savvas Chamberlain
Guelph – Dr. Savvas Chamberlain, former professor at the University of Waterloo and founder of the innovative Dalsa Corporation will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Moving Business Forward Conference scheduled for September 13, 2006 at the River Run Centre in Guelph. Dr. Chamberlain will be speaking to the fast-paced technology world and how he has managed to make Dalsa Corporation not only survive but thrive in the volatile industry.
Dr. Savvas Chamberlain M.Sc., Ph.D., FIEEE is CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors of Dalsa Corporation based in Waterloo. Dr. Chamberlain founded the company in 1980 which presently has more than 1,000 employees and sales of more than $200 million. Dalsa Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets digital imaging products and solutions. Dalsa Corporation is the only company in the world to have operating CCD Image Sensor Chips on MARS which gives us images of MARS terrain.
“This is going to be an exciting event for the business community in the Guelph and Surrounding area” said Dr. Chamberlain. “An event like this is long overdue, and I’m excited to take part.”
All speakers at the upcoming Moving Business Forward are directing their honorariums to the charities of their choice, including Change Now, Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Autism Ontario and Cambridge Shelter Corporation.
Dr. Chamberlain has directed his honorarium for speaking at the event to the Kitchener Waterloo Food Bank.
Moving Business Forward is a not-for-profit venture with additional proceeds to be donated to the Guelph Chamber of Commerce’s Millennium Scholarship Fund, supporting skilled trades development.
For more information on Moving Business Forward and the scheduled list of presenters, or to purchase tickets for the event, visit the Moving Business Forward Web site at movingbusinessforward.ca or contact the River Run Centre in Guelph at 519-763-3000 or 1-877-520-2408. Tickets are $169 and include a catered lunch by Appetizingly Yours Catering.
The speakers at the conference are;
Robert Milton, Chairman, President and CEO of Ace Aviation Holdings Inc.
Kathy Bardswick, President & CEO of The Co-operators Group Ltd.
Savvas Chamberlain, Chairman & CEO of Dalsa Corporation
Jan Chaplin, President & CEO of Canadian General-Tower Ltd.
Harry Rosen, Executive Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc.
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Greater Chamber of Commerce - Inside this Issue . . . . .September 2006
1. RSVP Now for the Annual General Meeting ‘Celebrating Success” - September 28, 2006
2. Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Dinner - September 29, 2006
3. University President Shares 20 goals for 2010 - September 21, 2006
4. Back by popular demand! - Speed Networking - September 14, 2006
5. The New & Improved Chamber Corporate Challenge - September 16, 2006
6. The areaīs largest business networking event - September 19, 2006
7. The Power Within Leadership Series Presents Live In London
8. Chamber Young Professionals - "I Wish I Knew Then, What I Know Now"
9. LEAD Professional Development Day - October 18, 2006
10. Join the MT Space Board of Directors
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1. RSVP Now for the Annual General Meeting "Celebrating Success” - September 28, 2006 |
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The 2006 Annual General Meeting has been called for Thursday, September 28th, 2006 at which time the new Directors will be installed. Annual Meeting business will start at 4:00p.m., and will include guest speaker, Gordon Pitts, Reporter, Report on Business, The Globe & Mail. A reception will follow until 6:30 p.m. All members are welcome.
To RSVP your attendance, please visit our website at www.greaterkwchamber.com or call Megan Harris at 519-749-6045.
| Date / Time: |
Thursday, September 28, 2006
4:00p.m.-6:30p.m |
| Location: |
Waterloo Regional Childrenīs Museum, 10 King St W, Kitchener. Click here for directions and parking information. | |
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2. Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Dinner - September 29, 2006 |
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The Prosperity Council invites you to the first ever Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Dinner, which will take place on September 29th, 2006 from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm in the Embassy Room at Bingemans. The event will commemorate Canada’s and Waterloo Region’s entrepreneurial spirit and will feature keynote speakers Heather Reisman, President and CEO, Indigo Books and Gerald Schwartz, CEO, ONEX.
The Dinner will also feature the inaugural inductions of recipients of the Visionary Award (Ms. Reisman and Mr. Schwartz) and the Legacy Award into the newly established Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. The recipient of the Legacy Award posthumously is Carl A. Pollock (1903-1978).
For more information, and to purchase tickets, please click here. |
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3. University President Shares 20 goals for 2010 - September 21, 2006 |
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Join David Johnston, President, University of Waterloo at the Baker Investment Group Inc. Networking Breakfast Series - Waterloo Region: Smart City as he shares 20 goals for 2010, making Waterloo Region the knowledge capital of Canada.
Be sure not to miss the full series! Purchase a Flex Pass today. Your flex pass provides you with 8 passes to the Networking Breakfast Series for the cost of only 7 passes! Use them all at once or one pass at a time!
To see the full season of speakers visit www.greaterkwchamber.com .
To register visit our website at www.greaterkwchamber.com or call Megan Harris at 519-749-6045.
| Date / Time: |
Thursday, September 21, 2006
7:30a.m. - 9:00a.m. |
| Location: |
Delta Kitchener Waterloo (Ballroom) |
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Members:
Future Members:
Member Flex Pass:
Future Member Flex Pass: |
$25.00
$50.00
$175.00
$350.00 | |
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4. Networking Breakfast Committee - Speed Networking - September 14, 2006 |
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Back by popular demand! Limited Space Available!
This special event is designed to maximize your networking opportunities!
With SPEED NETWORKING you can make more new business contacts in 2 hours than most people make in 6 months!
Start the morning off witha networking skills touch up with Paul tribe, owner of Uniglobe Discover Travel.
Network with other professionals, one on one, just a few minutes at a time and unleash hidden opportunities and new business connections!
| Date / Time: |
Thursday, September 14, 2006
7:30a.m.- 9:30a.m. |
| Location: |
Delta Kitchener Waterloo Hotel |
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Chamber Members:
Future Chamber Members: |
$25.00
$40.00 | |
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5. The Chamber Corporate Challenge - September 16, 2006 |
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For more than 20 years, the Chamber Corporate Challenge has brought local businesses, organizations and employees together in the spirit of friendly competition for a fun-filled day that encourages teambuilding, camaraderie, and fantastic networking. The event also raises funds for local children’s charities. The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce challenges you to register a team and become this year’s top performing and most successful fundraising team ever. More than 30 teams have already registered!
Congratulations to Royal Bank of Canada, Sun Life Financial, Conestoga College, Economical Insurance, Robert Half Management Resources, 96.7 CHYM FM / 570 News and 107.5 DAVE FM for registering prior to August 15 and receiving 15 seconds off their final time.
Volunteers needed! If you are interested getting involved with the 23rd Annual Chamber Corporate Challenge for Childrenīs Charities, there are a wide variety of opportunities available to suit you! To find out how you can add to the success of this event through volunteering, team registration or sponsorship, please contact Jason Kipfer at 519-749-6044 or by email at jkipfer@greaterkwchamber.com
| Date / Time: |
Saturday, September 16, 2006
10:30a.m.- 5:30p.m. |
| New Location: |
Budd Park (at Homer Watson Blvd.) Kitchener |
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Member Team (8 people):
Future Team (8 people): |
$300.00 (plus GST)
$325.00 (plus GST) | |
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6. Chamber After 5 - regional business tradeshow - September 19, 2006 |
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Be part of the largest networking opportunity in the area!
Exhibitor space is now full for the Chamber After 5 regional business tradeshow at Bingemans on September 19, 2006.
This annual event showcases member companies from the Cambridge, Guelph and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chambers and attracts over 1200 visitors! Over 200 member companies will have their products and services on display and delicious food from 11 different restaurants will be available for all attendees.
Admission is free to Chamber members, Future Chamber members and the general public. Be sure to mark your calendars for the largest business networking event in the tri-city area!
Click here to learn more! For more information, please contact Tania Russell at 519-749-6032.
| Date / Time: |
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
4:00p.m.- 8:00p.m. |
| Location: |
Bingemans Ballroom and Marshall Hall; Kitchener | |
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7. The Power Within Leadership Series Presents Live In London |
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For a limited time, Chamber members and their guests can register for The Power Within Leadership session for a special discounted price of $169, a $160 savings!
Experience a full day of dynamic and insp | | | |
