Saint John Board of Trade pleased that the Provincial Government is listening to Small Business

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased with Provincial Government’s decision to postpone the next scheduled increase in the minimum wage until April 2012. The increases in the minimum wage over the past two years have negatively impacted small businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry. “We are pleased that the Government has listened to small business and is giving us the opportunity to consult on this issue and raise the concerns of our small business members who have been negatively impacted by the large increases in their operating costs over a very short period of time” stated Ms. Imelda Gilman, President of the Saint John Board of Trade. “We are encouraged that the government is also taking the next step in exploring tip differentials.”

“The 19 percent increase in the minimum wage over the past two years is well above the inflation rate and it makes it very difficult for a small business to adjust” Ms. Gilman continued.

In 2010 the Saint John Board of Trade convened a Task Force to examine the potential impact of the scheduled minimum wage increases on our members. The Task Force comprised of members in hospitality, law, small and medium sized business and an academic, examined the issue and some of the literature on minimum wage increases and their effectiveness on reducing poverty.

“The members of our Task Force agree that it is not by reducing hours and job opportunities that our economy will grow, but rather by making it easier for employers to hire and expand” Ms. Gilman mentioned. “We are concerned the increase in minimum wage is too aggressive and will actually have a negative impact on small business and the people it is designed to help through potentially reduced employment, fewer job opportunities for young, inexperienced and low-skilled workers, reduced customer service, higher prices, and lower revenues.”

The Saint John Board of Trade is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community. With more than 1,000 members, representing 600 small, medium, and large businesses and organizations and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. The elected Board of Directors is representative of the diversity of the membership and their concerns.

Saint John Board of Trade supports Irving Shipbuilding’s bid for National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy contract

The following is a news release from the Saint John Board of Trade, June 22, 2011.

SAINT JOHN, NB: The Saint John Board of Trade supports Irving Shipbuilding’s bid for one of the two National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy contracts, which would see the Canadian economy grow by an estimated $1.5 billion in peak years, and potentially create 11,500 jobs in Nova Scotia and 4,500 jobs outside the province. As one of only five shipyards across the country on the short-list of potential bidders and the only shipyard in Atlantic Canada on the short-list, the Saint John Board of Trade supports the bid that will see a long-term contract given to the Halifax Shipyard. The long-term contracts being offered by the Government of Canada will enable the successful shipyards to undertake long term strategic planning and provide certainty and stability to the companies included in their supply chains.

Irving Shipbuilding, the Halifax shipyard, and the region have a proven record of expertise in building naval ships. Irving Shipbuilding alone has built over two dozen government vessels, and numerous commercial and off-shore vessels. “Their ability to offer shipbuilding, fabrication, conversion and repair facilities, and a strong supply chain that stretches throughout the Atlantic Provinces makes them a strong contender for one of the two available large vessel contracts” commented John Warrington, Chairman of the Saint John Board of Trade.

“The Irving companies have a proven record in the Maritimes of using the local supply chain. I fully believe companies across the Atlantic Provinces will benefit from a contract awarded to the Halifax Shipyard” Mr. Warrington continued. “We’re a community on the East Coast – we want to see everyone rise together and realize that what’s good for one will be good for all. Our Chambers of Commerce work together, our Governments work together, and naturally our businesses work together.”

In 2009 and 2010, Irving Shipbuilding worked with 115 New Brunswick suppliers, more than thirty of those suppliers had contracts worth over $100,000, and eight at more than $1 million. For every $1,000 in real GDP generated from shipbuilding inside Nova Scotia by this contract, another $491 is expected be spent in other regions across Canada, $20 of which will be spent in the other Atlantic Canadian provinces. “This is a multi-billion dollar, long-term project which will strengthen many companies in our region” Mr. Warrington mentioned.

Saint John Board of Trade participating in Provincial Pre-Budget Consultation

The Saint John Board of Trade is participating in the Provincial Pre-Budget Consultation session today with Honourable Blaine Higgs, Minister of Finance. “As part of our participation in the consultation process which started in December, the Saint John Board of Trade has made a submission outlining its suggestions to the Minister” informed Michael Murphy, Chair of the Saint John Board of Trade.

Attached is a copy of the submission.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to discuss our organization’s views with the Minister” said Mr. Murphy.

Saint John Board of Trade partnering with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce to invite the public to influence conversation with Premier Alward

The Saint John Board of Trade is partnering with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce to help increase awareness of the opportunity for the public to influence the conversation with Premier Alward in the State of the Province Address. For the first time in the event’s 38-year history, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the Province Address will feature a unique interview segment using questions submitted from across the province.

“We think this is a great opportunity for the citizens and businesses of the province to have their questions asked directly to the Premier during a televised event” said Imelda Gilman, President of the Saint John Board of Trade. “We’re really excited to be working with the Fredericton Chamber and other Chambers across the province on this initiative!”

“We’re really excited about this year’s new format” said Susan Holt, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. “In partnership with our friends at the Saint John Board of Trade, the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, and the Chambre de Commerce du Grand Bathurst/Greater Bathurst Chamber of Commerce, we’re connecting with businesses across New Brunswick to bring their questions forward, making this year’s State of the Province Address a truly provincial event. Engaging residents and our business community via Twitter, Facebook, and the Chamber website, we’re inviting all New Brunswickers to influence our conversation with the Premier.”

The Fredericton Chamber has already begun collecting suggested questions for the Premier and ishighlighting these questions on its website. To see which issues are generating the most interest, and/or to submit a question, visit www.frederictonchamber.ca. Questions will be accepted until January 23rd. Information on submitting a question can also be found on the Board News Section of the Saint John Board of Trade’s website.

The Saint John Board of Trade: Developing Saint John’s Future Workforce

Next Wednesday, November 3rd employers across New Brunswick will have the opportunity to showcase their workplaces to Grade 9 students who are taking part in a strategy developed by The Learning Partnership called “Take Your Kids to Work”. This annual, national program enables the entire community - parents, teachers and employers to play an important role in the career development of our youth - our future workforce.

Members of the Business Education Forum, a Saint John Board of Trade Committee realized that this ‘one day workforce’ and their host companies or parents might be open to attending a supporting event designed to align and compliment this community wide career development initiative. The result is a November 3rd, 2010 ‘lunch and learn’ opportunity called “Our Kids, Their Future”.

This unique luncheon will feature a keynote address from Jamie Korab, a 2006 Olympic Gold medalist in Curling. Mr. Korab will relate his Olympic experience and how the same principles apply to reaching career goals and educational goals. After the luncheon, employers/parents and their one day Grade 9 workforce will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Korab who will be available for photos with his Gold Medal and student attendees can also visit booths featuring the 6 Career Destinations and labour market information.

The luncheon event will be held at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre from Noon until 1:30 pm, on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 and tickets can be purchased by calling the Board of Trade office at 634-8111 or email: Info@sjboardoftrade.com Tickets are $70 +HST (Student & Adult) or $250 +HST for table of eight!

26th Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards

The Saint John Board of Trade proudly announces the recipients for Greater Saint John’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. The awards dinner, Saint John’s Premiere annual business event, and presentations will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.

From a field of over 35 nominees, the five-member judging panel has selected Dillon Consulting as the recipient for the Business Excellence award. The recipient for the Entrepreneurial Achievement award honour is Kelson & Kelson Limited. The recipient for the Emerging Enterprise award is ClinicServer.

The recipient of this year’s Young Entrepreneur Award is Kiera Fraser, with Je Suis Prest Boutique.

Now in its 26th year, the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards event recognizes businesses and business people in the community that have aided business development, entrepreneurship and increased economic progress in Greater Saint John.

The Entrepreneurial Achievement award is designed to recognize a company or individual that has started a business, considerably improved a company, or modified an existing enterprise.

The Business Excellence award focuses on established companies that have achieved highly in management quality, sales growth, community relations, marketing and leadership.

The Emerging Enterprise award recognizes new businesses just beginning to make their mark. To be eligible for this award, companies must have been in business less than five years.

The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes young business leaders (30 years and under) just beginning to make their mark.

Previous winners of the awards, presented annually since 1985, have included: Lingley Printing Co. Ltd; Tabufile Atlantic Ltd; Pete’s Fruitique; Mother Nature’s Pita Bakery & Restaurant; Bourque Manufacturing Ltd; Eastern Technical Services Ltd; Fundy Computer Services Ltd; Moosehead Breweries Ltd; Hunter Marketing & Communications; Beattie Construction Services Ltd; Thirtysomething Enterprises Inc (The Body Shop); Gardner Electric Ltd; NBTel; Kelly Tire Services Ltd; Mitchell, McConnell, Daniels Insurance Brokers Ltd; PCL & Eastern Packaging Limited; Aquila Tours/Destination Marketing; Baxter Foods Limited; Brenan Group Ltd; DMR Consulting Group Inc; Maritime Aqua Service; New North Media; Delta Brunswick Hotel; Senior Watch Inc; Appleby’s Image Center; Discount Car & Truck Rentals; The Document Company Xerox; Impact Forensic Analysis Inc; CanSupply.com; Java Moose; Irving Oil, Refining Division; Funeral Directors’ Choice; Meridian Construction Inc; Media Planet; Eastern Collections Services Ltd; Cendant Canada Inc; Here Publishing Inc; CAA Maritimes; National Leasing, Rent-a-Chef Inc; H.E.L.P. Educational Services Ltd; Simply for Life; Cooke Aquaculture; Fundy Engineering & Consulting Ltd; ADI Limited; Brovada Technologies; Evolving Solutions; Mariner Partners; CentreBeam Inc; Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Inc; Maritime Rescue and Medical Inc; East Point Inc.; Lorneville Mechanical Contractors; Jacques Whitford Limited; Vision Coaching; The DPL Group; Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission; and Opera Bistro.

Previous recipients of the Young Entrepreneur Award were Ji Li, Greg Hemmings, Tao Tao Liu, Marc Robichaud, Leah Anderson, Jenny Scott and James Galbraith.

This year’s winners will be honoured at the awards dinner on November 24th. Tickets for the awards dinner may be obtained from the Saint John Board of Trade.

Saint John Board of Trade’s Women in Business Forum

Starting today, October 15th, the members of the Saint John Board of Trade’s Women in Business Forum will be collecting toiletry items for their ninth annual “Bare Necessities” campaign. The goal of the campaign, first launched in 2002, is to provide women’s shelters, food banks and other organizations packages containing the ‘little but necessary’ personal care items, just in time for the holiday season.

Going on vacation or a business trip? The next time you find yourself in a hotel room, don’t forget to bring home the complimentary items available to you from every hotel – shampoo, soaps, lotions, etc.

The campaign will run from October 15 to November 26.

“There are many business men and women who frequently travel,” says Imelda Gilman, President of the Saint John Board of Trade. “We are asking them to pack the complimentary toiletries and drop them off at a ‘Bare Necessities’ location.”

Drop off boxes are located at all CIBC and RBC Royal Bank branches throughout Greater Saint John, and at the Saint John Board of Trade at 40 King Street.

Even if you do not travel you can still participate. Drugstores and shopping centers sell miniature size shampoos, conditioners, soaps, toothpaste too. Think Bare Necessities!
To view the poster which has a list of items and drop off locations click here.