ECONOMIC
FORECAST VERY INFORMATIVE
The
Chamber's annual Economic Forecast Panel 2007 was held on March 7.
What separates the Chamber Economic Forecast from all others is the unique
makeup of our panel. Our 2007 panel consisted of an economist (Derek
Holt, Assistant Chief Economist with RBC) and a pollster (Doug Newson,
Director Central Region with Statistics Canada). Both of this year's
panelists proved to be very informative and very entertaining. Much
of the information presented by the panelists supported the views expressed
by chamber members in our Economy
in 2007 survey. This event was proudly sponsored by RBC Royal
Bank. Highlights from our speakers' presentations
include:
-
we
will soon have more seniors than children in Canada
-
20%
of Burlingtonians were born outside the country Burlington has a higher
than average education level
-
Canada's
GDP will continue to fall in early 2007 and will turn around in late
2007
-
no
interest rate increase in the short term
-
the
trade balance should turnaround in 2007
-
auto
production will continue to increase in Ontario
-
local
employment growth is expected to be low
-
83
to 84 cents dollar by year end
AUDITOR
GENERAL AT CHAMBER LUNCHEON
On
February 21, Federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser addressed a sold out
crowd of Burlington business leaders. Attendees came from as far
as Toronto and Guelph to hear Ms. Fraser and several students were in
attendance. In her presentation, Ms. Fraser outlined the role and
the responsibilities of the Office of the Auditor General and she
cleared up some common misconceptions about her role. She also
outlined the results of some of her most recent reports to
parliament. A highlight of the event was when Ms. Fraser answered
questions from the floor. This event was proudly sponsored by CMA, Certified
Management Accountants and Horne LLP.
BY-ELECTION
CANDIDATES MEETING
With
a Burlington by-election called for February 8, the Chamber hosted a
candidates meeting on February 1. Candidates from the three major
parties clearly spelled out their views on a wide variety of issues.
Read more details on our Advocacy
page.
CURLING
BONSPIEL 2007
The Chamber's
newly resurrected Curling Bonspiel, held at
the Burlington Golf & Country Club, was an unqualified success.
The
event catered to both curlers and non-curlers alike and was sold out
several weeks in advance. Go to our Curling
Bonspiel web page to read more.
SMALL
BUSINESS CHRISTMAS PARTY
The
2006 Small Business Christmas Party was the largest in the Chamber's
history. A new style of event with new entertainment turned out to
be very popular. Visit our Christmas
Party page for photos and details.
CHAMBER
DEDICATES BENCH TO MAYOR MACISAAC
On
November 29, 2006, the Boards of the Chamber of Commerce and The
Carpenter Hospice, along with staff and guests gathered at The Carpenter
Hospice to take part in a special ceremony. In recognition of
Mayor MacIsaac's long service to the City, the Chamber of Commerce
dedicated a bench in his name. The bench was placed near the pond at The
Carpenter Hospice, one of the Mayor's favourite community organizations.
In
dedicating the bench, Board Chair John Doyle thanked Mayor MacIsaac for
the work he has done with the Chamber over the years. He also
thanked him for the work he has done to make the City of Burlington a
better place to live and work. John said the bench was placed at
the hospice because it will have permanence, is in a facility that the
mayor helped to create and is in a spot "much like Rob; it's quiet
and unassuming and is very much appreciated." Michael
Schwenger, Chair of the Board of The Carpenter Hospice thanked the Mayor
for his commitment and dedication in creating The Carpenter Hospice.
Mayor
MacIsaac thanked the Chamber for the "very thoughtful
dedication" and was especially pleased that the Chamber had chosen
The Carpenter Hospice as the location. He pointed out that he was
particularly proud of helping to make the hospice a reality and it is an
excellent example of what a mayor can to do make a difference in a
community.
For
more in formation on The Carpenter Hospice please visit
their website.
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MAYORAL
CANDIDATES MEETING
On
October 18, the Chamber hosted a Mayoral Candidates meeting to give
chamber members and business leaders the opportunity to aks the
candidates questions about business and community issues. Go to
our Advocacy page for
details.
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MAYOR
MACISAAC
BIDS FAREWELL
Mayor
Rob MacIsaac's final State of the City Address was an exciting and
emotional event. The list of people and organizations the Mayor
thanked for helping him through nine successful years as Mayor was
long. That so much of his speech (nearly one-third) was taken up
by thanking those around him is a tribute to both his leadership style
and his personality.
MacIsaac
went on to outline some of his proudest accomplishments. Helping to
establish Carpenter Hospice, the Burlington Community Foundation and
Team Burlington highlighted the community development list. A long
list of city-building projects (with over $100 million spent on infrastructure)
demonstrated council's commitment to creating a vibrant livable
city.
Looking
forward, Mayor MacIsaac outlined the positive, respectful relationship
that exists between staff and council and how that relationship is vital
to Burlington's continued success. He encouraged all to actively
participate in the upcoming election.
The
Mayor was thanked by community and business representatives for his
success at making the city a better community and Anne MacIsaac was
thanked for her long support of the Mayor's hard work.
A
final thank you was offered by John Doyle, Chamber Board Chair. In
his thanks, he announced that the Chamber has donated a bench with a
plaque honouring the Mayor's long service to the community which will be
placed at Carpenter Hospice, one of the Mayor's favourite community
organizations. You can view photos of the event on our Photo
Gallery.
The
Breakfast will be televised on TVCogeco 23 on Thursday, October 12 at
8:00 pm and Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 pm.
Click
here to read the full text of the Mayor's address (courtesy of the
City of Burlington).
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