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latest issues we hear about in Chamber committee meetings.
CURRENT HOT TOPICS
Performing Arts Centre (Survey Results) Federal Election 2008 (separate page)
JBMH EXPANSION
The proposed expansion of the Joseph Brant memorial Hospital will cost a total of $312 million. In October, JBMH officially asked the City of Burlington to support the expansion with a $60 million city contribution. This is in addition to $60 million of fundraising that will be done for a total 'local share' of $120 million.
At the December 8, the Chamber and Burlington Economic Development Corporation presented a joint delegation to the City of Burlington Budget and Strategic Planning meeting (the complete delegation can be found on the Chamber website). The thrust of the delegation was to express support for the city investing in the proposed Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital expansion. The delegation went further in making a series of recommendations that the city should follow regarding its investment in the project. Some of these recommendations include: - identifying the type and range of services to be offered at the hospital - exploring a range of funding options in an effort to minimize the tax impact - establishing performance measures and benchmarks for hospital care - making the hospital a centre for innovation and research with respect to teaching and technology commercialization
The B&SP committee voted unanimously to support the $60 million 'ask' from the hospital. On Monday, December 14, City Council also unanimously approved the motion. The details of how the $60 million will be raised are still to be determined.
In simple terms, if the $60 million is raised through a tax levy that is spread over 10 years, the tax impact each year per $100,000 current value assessment will be:
Both the Chamber and BEDC have offered to work closely with the city and JBMH to ensure Burlington receives the type of facility and level of health care it needs.
BURLINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Building
Costs
Burlington property taxes make
up about 38 percent of the residential total
property tax bill.
Burlington property taxes make up about 23
percent of the commercial total property tax
bill.
Burlington property taxes make up about 25
percent of the industrial total property
tax bill.
Proposed Funding
Benefits
Chamber Survey on the Performing Arts Centre In March 2008 the Chamber surveyed its members to determine their views about the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The results of this survey were used by the Chamber to develop a policy recomendation.
Total Reponses:
273
Survey conducted March 4 to
March 7, 2008
Please state how much you agree with the
following:
Click here to see the survey open comments
Click here to see the Chamber's policy recommendation on the Performing Arts Centre
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
No one knows when the next pandemic will hit but most experts agree we are probably overdue. Impacts on people and business will be high.
Pandemic flu appears every ten to 40 years. In the last century we experienced three pandemics. The Spanish flu of 1918 killed more than 20 million people worldwide. Smaller pandemics occurred in 1957 and 1968.
It is predicted that up to 35% of the population could be affected. Many people will be ill in bed for many days or caring for family ill with the flu. Health care services will be severely burdened. Emergency workers including police, fire, ambulance, and health care workers will be in high demand and many may also be ill themselves. Of great concern to the Chamber is the fact that many businesses will be impacted. While smaller businesses might feel that "It won't happen to me" the risk of business continuation could be great among this group. If you lose 35% of your staff for two months, can your business survive a loss in its revenue stream?
The Chamber hosted its fifth Pandemic Planning Workshop on November 26, 2009. Click here for all the details.
Here are some links to give you more information to help plan for an influenza pandemic.
Pandemic Planning Toolkit (provided by Halton Region) Ontario Chamber Pandemic Planning Toolkit Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan Ontario Influenza Pandemic Plan Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones (Centre for Disease Control) Avian Influenza (World Health Organization) Workplace Flu Shot Clinic (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
ENERGY COSTS
A recent survey of Chamber members indicated that a top concern is energy costs. In order to help businesses better manage their energy consumption, the Chamber is providing members with information on energy consumption, energy options and energy conservation. As the Political Action Committee continues to work on this issue on behalf of members, this webpage will be updated with new information and new links.
National Resources Canada - Office of Energy Efficiency - Commercial Canadian Solar Energy Association - Federal Government Incentives Natural Resources Canada - Federal Energy Incentive Programs Canada Green Building Council - LEED Construction and Renovation Independent Electricity System Operator Burlington Hydro - Your Local Electricity Distribution Company Union Gas - Your Local Gas Distribution Company
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HIGHWAY TRAFFIC INFORMATION
Need to know the traffic conditions on the highways in and around Burlington?
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