Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals invited to Talk Taxes
Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals are welcome to join us for a FREE lunch on April 2 to talk about taxes and meet connections to build your business!
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce elects new officers
March 15, 2019
News release
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce elects new officers
TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated 129 years serving the business community at its Annual General Meeting held March 13 in Truro. A new slate of officers and directors was elected by the membership which will see Ron Smith, Manager of Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited, step into the president’s seat.
More than 80 people attended the meeting where Smith spoke about the positive growth across many sectors taking place in this region
“Our community shows continuous improvements and growth in commercial, industrial, residential and social infrastructure,” said Smith. “The last number of years have shown large-scale investment in both public and private construction projects from our rural areas to our revitalized downtown cores. Each project offering more and more opportunity to retain and attract people to live and work in Colchester County.”
Smith has served on the Chamber board for four years and was elected to serve a one-year term as President. He said during the next year the Chamber will continue to focus on membership growth and supporting the needs of business.
“Serving with the Chamber has presented the privilege to meet one-on-one, in groups and en masse many of our local business people, community proponents and interested citizens, all willing to work together and strive for a more inclusive and prosperous Truro Colchester,” said the newly elected President. “It is amazing to see behind the scenes what many of our local business people have contributed in time, resources and pure financial gifts to help this area prosper, often below the radar and without acknowledgement.”
Outgoing president Joanne McRae, CPA, CA, Senior Manager with MNP, said there were many Chamber accomplishments to celebrate during the past year and looks forward to continuing her work with the board in the role of Past President.
“During the past year, we have continued to collaborate with government of all levels, local businesses and organizations, the Truro and Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and other Chambers in the region to ensure the voices of our members and businesses from the area are heard and their interests are protected as our region continues to grow and flourish,” said McRae.
At the end of 2018 there were 431 members in the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce making it the largest Chamber in Nova Scotia outside metro.
Other newly elected executive and directors are: Vice-President Mathew Mossman, Sales Manager at Cat Country and Big Dog Radio; Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner of Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; and directors Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie, Elegant Steps; Karen Gillespie, Nova Scotia Community College; Bob Brown Lynds Industrial Services; Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Peter Thiesen Pulse Property Services; Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; David Ritcey, Community Credit Union; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design; and Phil Smith, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., Eastern Dealer Support Center.
The Chamber’s Annual Awards and Dinner Gala will be held on April 25 at the Holiday Inn.
The Chamber has issued a call for nominations for BDC Business Person of the Year and the Community Credit Union Business Excellence awards.
To reserve a seat at the gala or for more information about award nominations, call 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is April 1, 2019.
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Newly elected executive and directors are, front row, from left, Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner of Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; Past President Joanne McRae, CPA, CA, Senior Manager with MNP; Ron Smith, Manager of Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited; Vice-President Mathew Mossman, Sales Manager at Cat Country and Big Dog Radio, and Executive Director Sherry Martell. Second row, Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals; Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Phil Smith, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., Eastern Dealer Support Center; Peter Thiesen, Pulse Property Services; Karen Gillespie, Truro Campus, Nova Scotia Community College; and David Ritcey, Community Credit Union.
Other elected directors are: Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie, Elegant Steps; Bob Brown Lynds Industrial Services; and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design. PHOTO BY BRENNAN GILLIS
2019 Chamber AGM Package
Download material for the 2019 Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce AGM
TCCC-AGM 2019 SupportingDocuments
Chamber hosting Spring Ice Breaker at Raging Crow
Join us at our new Spring Ice Breaker social event!
March 26th, 4-6pm. Raging Crow Distillery, North River
To encourage shopping local, we are welcoming members currently offering a Member-to-Member (M2M) discount to bring information or promotional materials about their offers to showcase at this special social event. This will give members a chance to “break the ice” with one-on-one conversations and learn about current offers while having the opportunity to take a break from winter weather and network.
It is also an opportunity for members considering participation in the program to find out more details.
Raging Crow Distillery will be providing samples of their products and light snacks will be provided.
This is a free event open to Members (including all employees) and their friends.
Come break the ice with us to learn more about other businesses in the network that can help you save money and strengthen your local business connections.
RSVP to [email protected] by March 20. M2M participants should let us know in advance if they require table space.
Share Your Bright Idea!
Young entrepreneurs (under age 25) are invited to apply to the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce to showcase their products and services at the WTH Youth Expo, April 27, 2019
Selected applicants will join us at the Chamber's expo booth.
How to apply: Send us a 200-word essay detailing your business. It may be submitted here, emailed to [email protected], dropped off or mailed to 605 Prince St., Truro, NS, B2N 1G2
Deadline: April 5, 2019
Those selected will be contacted by a member of the Chamber's Youth Engagement, Investment and Retention Committee by April 12 to confirm participation.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION
Chamber AGM March 13
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce will host its AGM on March 13. The official meeting will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon at noon.
We are very pleased to have Bill Hay, Chairman of Trucorp Investments Limited as our luncheon guest speaker.
To register for the AGM (no cost) and/or lunch*, $25+hst ** for members, call (902) 895-6328 or email [email protected].
*Please advise of any dietary restrictions, **Cost of luncheon for non-members, $30+hst
EBAY / E Commerce skills development program / FREE program
Applications are now open for Retail Revival – a new e-commerce training program by that empowers businesses in Halifax and Nova Scotia to grow. Retail Revival is eBay’s comprehensive training and support program that empowers “main street” retailers to thrive locally by taking full advantage of the digital marketplace and accessing new customers around the world.
Learn more at www.ebayinc.com/halifax and apply by February 22, 2019.
Ideal Retail Revival Sellers: I have attached a description for the ideal companies. A few key points:
- A businesses desire to grow their e-commerce business is paramount
- A commitment to spending time (apx 10 hrs/week) on their e-commerce business is what will make a difference for any business (ie: listing new items, taking photos, packing, shipping, responding to inquiries)
- eBay doesn’t sell food items in Canada
eBays’ Retail Revival Program should be of interest to any SME looking at enhancing or developing their eCommerce platform. The free program is designed to help Nova Scotia retailers, resellers and/or manufacturers. It’s a 12-month commitment - providing one-on-one support, training, eBay Concierge services, free storefront, etc. Details attached.
The application deadline is this Friday, Feb 22. The application is quick and easy. If Truro | Colchester businesses need assistance, they can connect directly with Emily Neil at the Halifax Partnership. Her line is 902-223-6821 and email is [email protected]
A taxing issue for Canada
Remember the days where important working files were saved on a floppy disc, not the cloud? Or bills were paid via mail, not just instantly with the touch of a button on your smartphone? Lots has changed in the last few decades, but unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Canadian taxation. The last time Canada undertook a comprehensive review of its tax system, humankind had yet to set foot on the moon.
It has been five decades of the same old and, sure, it is no a secret that nobody likes the tax man, but that does not mean he should be ignored. Canada has a choice, either keep pace with the rapid rate of change or be left behind.
Now more than ever, it is crucial we recognize a modernized tax system can be a key driver of Canada’s business innovation and economic growth. So, what else needs to change? How does it need to change? And most importantly, why is our federal tax system 41st in the world when it comes to the time it takes Canadians to prepare and pay taxes? All of these questions and more are addressed in our latest report, 50 Years of Cutting and Pasting: Modernizing Canada’s Tax System.
You can also read this month’s 5MinsForBusinessTaxRoyalCommission190212 to find out about the benefits of a Royal Commission on taxation. Instead of dreading tax time, it is time we understand why we need to push it directly into the spotlight.
Annual Chamber newsletter details advocacy efforts
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce publishes an annual newsletter detailing it's advocacy efforts for the past year, as well as sharing important information about programs and events.
To download CLICK HERE
Business Minister visits Truro & Colchester members
Nova Scotia's Business Minister Geoff MacLellan joined the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon on Jan. 31. The Minister provided an overview of many issues impacting business in the province.