February 13, 2008

Chamber News

First Notice of New Members:

The Clay Hut – Pottery Painting Fun, Gerrish St, Windsor
http://users.eastlink.ca/~theclayhut/home.htm

Ciuin Massage Therapy, Barrington St, Halifax ciuin@ns.sympatico.ca


2008 CCC Business Agenda

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) recently released their 2008 Canadian Business Agenda: competitiveness, prosperity, quality of life - Securing Canada’s Future, available online. This document sets out the priority areas for Canada’s business community and includes five policy resolutions proposed by members of the Atlantic Provinces’ Chamber of Commerce in 2007, as follows:

1. Public-Private Partnerships - submitted by the St. John's Board of Trade

2. Development of a National East-West Power Grid - submitted by the St.John's Board of Trade

3. Canada's Gateways - submitted by Halifax Chamber of Commerce

4. Waiver of Transit Visa Requirements for the EU - submitted by The Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce

5. CBSA Cost Recovery Program - Limiting smaller airports - submitted by the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce.

All five were unanimously supported by the Atlantic Caucus at the AGM and subsequently approved at the policy session. All CCC members from Atlantic Canada are encouraged to participate in policy development, on their own or collaborating with other Chambers. In addition, the APCC is looking at how they can provide policy research services to the membership.


West Hants and Area News

Correction:
Last issue we ran a story about Hantsport’s Green Rider Ltd and incorrectly cited a $77 dollar rate from Windsor. The rate is in fact $69 tax included, and E-News apologizes to Randy Mosher at Green Rider for the error. Mr. Mosher updated E-News by saying his company is now “fine” with the Province’s Utility and Review Board. His next step is to appeal to West Hants MLA Chuck Porter to see that his business can be eligible for the Federal Transportation Tax Credit as well as some Provincial reductions in user-fees on vehicle plates. Good luck Randy!

Kings-Hants likes their Greens

Despite the increasing chances of a federal election this spring, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently announced that the party’s national convention will be held in Atlantic Canada for the first time ever. May said approximately 300-400 national partisans will gather in Pictou this September. According to the party’s latest newsletter, the Kings-Hants riding contains the party’s second highest membership in the Maritimes after Halifax, followed by Cape-Breton/Canso in third, Fredericton fourth place and in fifth spot, May’s riding of Central Nova.

The Business of Caring

Carrie Dauphinee says when it comes to making seniors feel cared for in long-term care facilities, the biggest part is making them feel they are really at home. Motivated by a successful career in elderly residential care in Halifax, Dauphinee owns R.E.A.L. Residence Inc, a new residential private-care facility that is now open for business and seeking residents. R.E.A.L., which stands for Rest Easy Assisted Living, is currently offering eight long-term care spaces at Windsor’s former Hopper House on Victoria Street. Dauphinee loves her new to her historical downtown Windsor digs, and believes her home’s residents will enjoy the proximity to shops and facilities like the town’s Community Centre as well. “It’s a family atmosphere we’re offering here,” Dauphinee insists. “By offering a less-clinical setting than public-funded facilities, we can support the residents to have more of a REAL life,” she says. This could include a trip to the movies or even something as simple as home-cooked meals, which Dauphinee says will be offered each day. “If I can put a smile on someone’s face, then that just makes my day,” she says. “To them, it can make the rest of their life. It might be the last thing to bring them joy.”

Dauphinee has several years experience as personal care worker to fall back on as she begins her new venture and says what she fears the most is making the leap into running her own business. Dauphinee also got advice from some unlikely people: some of elderly residents she cares for in Halifax. Those with business backgrounds have been very supportive and full of free advice based on their experiences in business, she says. “Many said they wish they could come with me. Of course, I will miss them and the rapport we have. You can learn so much by talking with – and listening to - the elderly, I love spending time with them.” Dauphinee is also looking into having a dedicated doctor who is able to make house calls and welcomes any recommendations from the business community. “We want to ensure our residents have the best care possible.” The residential care facility will offer assistance in meal preparation, mobility issues, bathing, dressing, toileting or administration of medication as well as routine health and wellness monitoring with 24/7 support. Real Residence Inc. (H) 902-472-2320 (C) 902-497-5058 or email at cdauphinee28@hotmail.com

Did you know?

There are currently 1,155 people in the province waiting for one of 5,811 nursing
home beds. Premier Rodney MacDonald recently announced 832 new long-term care beds
will be provided in 32 communities by 2010 at a cost of $74 million.
 

2007 Labour Market Summary

While Nova Scotia’s 8% unemployment rate is still two percent above the national average and third highest in the country after Newfoundland and PEI, employment in the Annapolis Valley rebounded to reach a record high in 2007 following two years on the slide. On a year-over-year basis, there were 3,500 more employed with most of the job gains occurring in the Manufacturing sector accounted for the largest share of the increase. Employment levels went up slightly in most industry groups except in Public Administration; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Other Services. Overall employment in Nova Scotia increased by 5,800, or 1.3 percent.

The increase in employment in the province was primarily for females (3,900), compared to an increase of 1,900 for males. The employment increase was almost entirely concentrated in workers aged 55+ (4,700 or 81 percent of total employment growth). [Source: Service Canada]


Regional and National Headlines


$1 Million Investment in Medical Transcription

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced $1 million in funding for Prudential Consulting Inc. to establish an operating division in Atlantic Canada, a move which will help develop a medical transcription industry across the region. “Our Government is getting things done for the people of Atlantic Canada,” said Minister MacKay. “Through this $1 million ACOA investment, we are supporting a project that will diversify and strengthen the region's economy and create up to 200 jobs across Atlantic Canada.” Prudential Consulting Inc. will train medical transcriptionists and provide transcription services to the medical community across the country. Medical transcriptionists ensure reports from healthcare professionals, doctors and specialists are typed correctly so they can be accurately documented in a patient’s file. [Source: ACOA]


News served el dente

While Nova Scotian media readers digest the news of the Daily News’ demise, the Canadian Community Newspaper Association reports that the paper’s parent company, Transcontinental, recently acquired two Quebec weekly newspapers, including Montreal's Italian-language weekly newspaper Corriere Italiano and L’Autre Voix, which serves the Côte-de-Beaupré region in Quebec. Founded in 1952 by Alfredo Gagliardi, Corriere Italiano is Transcontinental's first publication to publish in a language other than English or French. Both newspapers reach 13,500 homes in their respective regions. "Transcontinental is proud to add the Italian-language Corriere Italiano to our strong and growing roster of community newspapers," said Marc-Noël Ouellette, senior vice president, newspaper group, at Transcontinental Media. "Corriere Italiano has a solid history, spanning over 55 years, of serving the Italian community in Montreal and we plan to continue that tradition." The company is also preparing to launch the Halifax edition of Metro, a daily free paper popular across established in other city centers in North America, Europe and Asia. Metro was first launched in London, England in 1999 for morning tube commuters. Halifax Metro is positioning itself against the free hip weekly, The Coast, with staff hires similar to the demographic the paper hopes to attract, namely the 18-49 year olds, ALLNovaScotia.com reports. Former Daily News senior editor Jane Davenport will be at its helm. Davenport is married to Jack Romanelli, the Daily News’ last editor. Other displaced staff are being shifted into positions at other Transcontinental titles across Nova Scotia. Halifax Metro will also be looking for a new base, as the lease on Ralph Medjuck’s “Green Toad” on the Halifax waterfront expires at the end of May. Transcontinental Media owns a total of 171 community publications across Canada, including the Hants Journal.

Outages might prune BlackBerry back

Research In Motion's BlackBerry could lose its iconic status in the eyes of corporate and retail subscribers alike if it doesn't manage to stem service problems such the ones that led to two major outages in less than a year, analysts say. A three-hour service problem left subscribers across North America with spotty or nonexistent access to wireless e-mail again this week. (Reuters)

Make it Real
 

Better businesses for better communities is the theme for Yellow Pages’ Make It Real program. The program recognizes and rewards local businesses that are committed to improving their community. Any established business (with no more than 50 employees) that demonstrates outstanding community contribution is eligible for a cash prize for themselves and their charity of choice. These efforts may include, but are not limited to: fundraising for charitable or non-profit organizations, paid and unpaid person hours devoted to a cause, gifts-in-kind supplied to a charitable or non-profit organization, environmentally friendly business practices, employment and personnel practices. A local judging panel made-up of select community leaders will choose Platinum and Gold winners in each community. The prizes are to be shared with the winning business and the pre-selected beneficiary organization of their choice. Prizing for the Make It Real program is as follows:

• Platinum: $5,000 ($4,000 for the winning business and $1,000 to the selected beneficiary organization)

• Gold: $2,500 ($2,000 for the winning business and $500 to the selected beneficiary organization).

• Yellow Pages Group will publicize the winners’ names in the Community Guide of the local Yellow Pages™ directory.

The deadline for nominations is April 21, 2008. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2008. The winners will be announced on June 9, 2008. More info available online.

Consumer’s Choice

A woman from Vancouver has started a website for Canadians to tell Canada Post they want to opt out of receiving junk mail. Beth Ringdahl, the owner of the site, www.reddotcampaign.ca, says that many Canadians don’t know the nation’s mail carrier will endeavour to cease delivering flyers and ads delivered to mailboxes by marking a homeowner’s internal file with a red dot – hence the name of Ringdahl’s campaign. Canada Post’s calls these householder counts, available on www.canadapost.ca, “Consumer’s Choice”, and only deliver mail from MP’s and election pamphlets to every mail box. “People are really happy to learn about a way they can reduce waste in their lives,” said Ringdahl. Now, if we could just combat junk email as effectively!


Taking a bite from chocolate manufacturers

A Canadian law firm is inviting all chocolate consumers to join a class-action lawsuit based on allegations chocolate producers - namely, Hershey, Mars, Nestle, and Cadbury - kept Canadian chocolate prices artificially high. The "Chocolate Makers Class Action" comes in the wake of an alleged conspiracy currently being investigated by authorities. Six months ago, an anonymous company approached the Canadian Competition Bureau and sought immunity from prosecution in exchange for information on an alleged scandal involving consumer pricing of chocolate in the country. The business provided testimony from one of its top executives and other employees, as well as correspondence in connection with a high-level price-fixing scandal within the industry. The suit alleges that companies are colluding to keep the price of chocolate bars around a dollar and preventing competition from being a factor in pricing, thus keeping margins high. The Merchant Law group based in Saskatchewan says even paying as much as 20 cents more for a chocolate bar is unfair, and that the courts have broad powers to not only correct these injustices, but can pronounce broad and creative ways of paying consumers back. The firm just settled a case with Winners Home Sense where the court ruled the company must hold a certain number of sales per year under certain conditions. The bureau began the ongoing investigation in the offices of Hershey's, Mars, Nestle - as well as food distributor ITWAL - in November. (Source: CBC Radio, Star Pheonix) More info online.


Business sweet on Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is big business in Canada and is an opportunity for retailers to increase sales following the quiet post-Christmas period with consumers spending an estimated:

• $20 million on flowers (red roses are still #1)

• $34 million on health and beauty/spa products

• $56 million on jewellery

• $144 million on confectionaries like chocolates.

(Source: Retailers Association of Canada)


Business Events List:

Wednesday, February 20th – Innovation Workshop
Hosted by the Centre for Women in Business 1:00 – 4:30 pm Hilltop Haven B&B
265 Lockhart Road, Coldbrook $35 + HST CWB member rate, $45 + HST non member rate
For more info, phone: 902-457-6449, Toll Free: 1-888-776-9022
EMAIL: cwb@msvu.ca  URL: http://www.centreforwomeninbusiness.ca

Thursday, February 21st – West Hants Plan Review Public Meeting
Changes have been made to the proposed West Hants Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law since drafts were presented at community meetings in June 2007. West Hants Planning Advisory Committee is holding a public meeting to report on the changes and hear your comments. 7:00 p.m. West Hants Council Chambers 76 Morison Drive Windsor-West Hants Industrial Park. More info online.
 

Friday, February 22nd – 8 Mistakes of a Growing Business
Dale Carnegie Business Group clinic, Future Inn Halifax 8:00am –11:30am
$149 +GST and includes a hot breakfast. To register, please contact Angela McNabb: amcnabb@dalecarnegie.ca or call direct: 506-432-6500 / 1-800-561-2220.

February 23rd – Kings Co Anti-Idling Day

The Eco-Kings Action Tea is a collaborative of the Municipality of the County of Kings, the Towns of Berwick, Kentville and Wolfville, the Kings Community Economic Development Agency, Valley Waste Resource Management, Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce and the Eastern Habitat Joint Ventures. The group has been working on joint environmental initiatives and will be conducting a county-wide Anti-Idling Day on February 23, 2008 throughout Kings County. Reducing vehicle idling, harmful emissions and save money at the same time. Corporate sponsors include Best Toyota and The Co-operators. Info online.
 

February 26th , 2008 Anthony Robbins
Self-proclaimed Global leadership guru appears with a slate of business authors at a day-long show the Halifax Metro Centre to deliver “Experience the Power Within” 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Advance Rate $169 plus GST, General Seating Rate $329 1-866-994-2555. www.powerwithin.com

On-going event: The Strategic Management in Small Business Certificate Program
Hosted by: Acadia University Continuing and Distance Education and the Acadia Centre for Social Business and Entrepreneurship (ACSBE) This nine-module program will provide the foundations necessary to establish an entrepreneurial approach to decision making, improve your innovative edge and increase productivity and performance. The program will provide strategies for retention and growth and participants will leave with a well articulated strategy ready for implementation.
Course information,  online registration, or call 902-585-1434


Chuckles:

Q: What did the paper clip say to the magnet?

A: "I find you very attractive."


E-News info:

E-News February Deadline - Our next issue of WHCC E-News will be out on Tuesday, February 27th. You are invited to submit your business news, open-house announcement or greeting by February 23rd.

Every two weeks, E-News is distributed to - and read by - over 200 local business contacts throughout the Windsor-West Hants area. If your business has news or events you would like to share with our readers but can’t find the words, please call our Newsletter Editor, Heather Desveaux on 790-4009 or email info@whcc.ca