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Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli delivered remarks following the April 11 release of the 2019 Ontario Budget to the membership on April 24, 2019

Thank you to Tony Hicks - The Camera Guy for taping the event. 

Budget 2019 Strikes Right Balance for Business Community

Brockville/ April 12, 2019 – Today, the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, Pamela Robertson Executive Director and Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in response to the 2019 Ontario Budget, “Protecting What Matters Most.”

“Our message to the government in advance of Budget 2019 had been clear: bring down the deficit, focus on competitive taxation, and choose strategic investments that contribute to Ontario’s long-term economic growth. We are encouraged by the robust plan for returning the Province to a balanced budget, including meaningful action to improve government accountability. This Budget is focused on spending smarter rather than resorting to austerity measures,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber of Commerce are pleased to see that the Government of Ontario heard the message of the Ontario Chamber Network and is taking reasonable steps to build a stronger Ontario. Their balance of fiscal sustainability and critical investments in skills and infrastructure will promote long-term economic growth. The proposed investments in broadband infrastructure and skills development, especially, will create real value for Ontarians.

“Some key measures in Budget 2019 supported by the Ontario business community include:

• Skills and workforce development: With 75 percent of OCC members stating the ability to recruit and retain talent is a critical factor to their competitiveness, Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and OCC have long called on the government to address the province’s skills mismatch. Modernizing Ontario’s apprenticeship system, reforming skills and employment training programs, and improving the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program are all critical steps to create the workforce of the future.
• Infrastructure: The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and the OCC are pleased by the government’s $315 million investment in critical broadband and cellular infrastructure over the next five years. Access to high-speed internet is a basic requirement of the 21^st century economy, much like roads, bridges, and electricity. Regarding the government’s planned investments of $14.7 billion in the province’s infrastructure over the next ten years, the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and OCC hope to see more details on the plan. The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and OCC will continue to press the government to address the province’s infrastructure deficit.
• Competitive taxation: Building a more competitive tax environment is critical to fueling investment, innovation, and economic growth across Ontario, particularly in times of fiscal limitation. The Ontario Job Creation Investment Incentive will provide much-needed tax relief for industry while promoting investment and job growth. The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and OCC also continue to encourage the government to help small businesses scale-up by creating a variable small business tax rate.

 “With the government already moving swiftly with a number of measures aimed at reducing red tape and growing the economy such as the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018, the Access to Natural Gas Act, 2018, and the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2019, today’s Budget will help to ensure Ontario businesses have as many opportunities as possible to compete on the global stage,” added Pamela Robertson Executive Director of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to see our rapid policy update.

Full 2019 Ontario Budget 

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Eastern Ontario YMCA Unification Advance Notice Release: April 1, 2019 
 
TO: Stakeholders YMCA of Brockville and Area & YMCA of Kingston 
 
FROM: Rob Adams, CEO 

SUBJECT: Unification Update 

DATE: April 1, 2019 

Across Eastern Ontario, YMCA associations have a long-standing history of building communities, transforming lives, and providing personal growth in spirit, mind and body. We are all committed to serving our members and communities in the best possible way, and this includes responsibly looking at the future and identify ways to increase our impact on individual and community health. 
 
I wish to share we successfully obtained from the Ministry the articles of amalgamation for the YMCA of Eastern Ontario that became effective today April 1, 2019. Both boards gave full support to unify into one YMCA and today the YMCA of Brockville and the YMCA of Kingston has officially become one corporation under the name YMCA of Eastern Ontario. A new board of directors consisting of members of both discontinued boards will be in charge of managing its affairs and activities. 
 
Under our new moniker, we look forward to continuing to build a bright and healthy future for Eastern Ontario, together.  
 
Respectfully,  
 
Rob Adams CEO YMCA of Eastern Ontario 
 
For more information, or to set up a meeting please contact: Anna Hudson  anna.hudson@brockville.ymca.ca 613.342.7961 x 30 or cell: 613.349.5717

New Members to the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce  from January to March 2019

1000 Islands Wellness and Treatment Centre 

The Kitchen 

Didemus Consulting 

Nurse Next Door 

Saltastic - A Salt Therapy Lounge 

Turn of the Century Consulting Inc 

Peak Performance Training & Nutrition 

Sutton Essential Realty 

Rev Publishing Multimedia Group 

Green Door Bed and Breakfast 

Announcement of New City Manager

Mayor and Council of the Corporation of the City of Brockville are pleased to announce the hiring of Janette Loveys as the City Manager following an in-depth hiring process.

Ms. Loveys has extensive public sector experience at the senior leadership level, having most recently worked as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Sunshine Coast Regional District in British Columbia.  Prior to this she worked in senior positions in Ontario at the City of Guelph, the City of Welland and the Township of Minden Hills as well as the Capital Regional District in Victoria, B.C.

Ms. Loveys holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Arts – Sociology from the University of Toronto and she has received various leadership and public administration training and professional development throughout her career. 

During her career Ms. Loveys has led financial process improvements through introducing enhanced budgeting processes and has project management experience having led a P3 project for a multi-sport facility.  She prides herself on her ethical and collaborative leadership style and is a practitioner in meaningful community consultation and engagement which she looks forward to utilizing in the City Manager role at the City of Brockville.

Ms. Loveys is looking forward to her return to Ontario and making Brockville her home while working with Council and staff to make a difference in the community she serves.

Mayor Baker states “City Council first reviewed what we were looking for in an ideal candidate and further approached both community stakeholders and staff to confirm our criteria was shared by our key partners. It was clear to Council we were looking for dynamic change and a collaborative leader with the ability to lead both our staff and guide our council. Although the selection committee was impressed with multiple candidates Janette clearly checked all the boxes. We are thrilled to have found what we believe is the ideal person to lead the next chapter in our beautiful City’s development”.

Ms. Loveys will start with the City of Brockville between mid to late May.

If you couldn't make the Update from MP Michael Barrett,  please feel free to watch the video from Tony Hicks - The Camera Guy. 

If you couldn't make the Annual Update from Mayor Jason Baker  please feel free to watch the video from Tony Hicks - The Camera Guy. 

Click on link to download poster 

MPP Steve Clark delivered his annual update from Queen's Park on Jan 18, 2019 to the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce membership. Thank you to Tony Hicks - The Camera Guy for videoing the update.