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Vendors Blindsided, Bureaucracy Short Sighted, Canadians Short Changed, as Feds Turn Their Back on months of Public Sector/Private Sector Consultations
OTTAWA - CATAAlliance, Canada's largest high tech association, has issued a legislative alert to vendors and MP's across Canada regarding serious missteps being taken by a federal department on procurement reform.
After eighteen months of Public Sector/Private sector consultations on
workable procurement guidelines and frameworks, PWGSC (Public Works and
Government Works Canada) has tabled arbitrary decisions running counter to
their consensus commitments. Federal CIO's and Industry Canada were also
apparently left out of the loop of consultations.
Vendors and association executives were caught off guard last week at a
consultation meeting that presented new procurement approaches, including:
A third party study on Strategic Sourcing outlining roles,
responsibilities, tasks, timelines, feasibility and the business case
supporting proposed procurement changes - a study not made publicly available
and conducted outside the Public Sector/Private sector consultation framework.
An introduction of new processes such as: reverse e-auctions to determine
vendor of record; changes to NMSO practices; savings levers; new methods of
supply; competitive supplier selection approach; RFSO; Negotiation; Award
Decision Methodology; Implementation; and OSME issues, without supporting
empirical data.
"We were totally blind sided by the scope, timing and secrecy of these
announcements and dismayed by the inability of PWGSC to provide any rationale
for its proposed changes," said CATA President, John Reid.
Reid added, "We engaged in what we thought was genuine collaboration,
involving some of our most senior people who offered guidance through PWGSC
created Commodity Councils and other forums. They have lost trust and faith in
the transparency of the process."
Implications
PWGSC has changed their "Way Forward" into a "Way Backward" policy
directly against the grain of measures being taken by Canada's global
competitors to enhance their innovative sectors.
Preliminary assessments by vendors and industry experts point to the
negative impact of the proposed changes to procurement methodologies, such as:
Failure to embrace Supply Chain principles
Fundamental structural changes to the IT marketplace, with potential long
term negative impact on the viability of a number of sectors
Without information on processes and direction, vendors will not be in
the position to respond to opportunities in a timely way
Services vital to both large and small size requirement, such as pre
sales design and support, deployment management, staging and storage will
diminish or no longer be provided
Reduction and limitation of choice available to clients
Elimination of Canadian content and associated jobs and critical
knowledge base
Shutting out of many SMEs from fair and competitive bidding
Skewing of the market place in favour of offshore suppliers
Disregard for the value added of intermediaries
Focus on price only with no regard for value added services
A Better Way Forward
As part of advancing thoughtful Public Sector/Private Sector dialogue on
best practice approaches to procurement, CATAAlliance recently presented a
comprehensive discussion paper to PWGSC and Industry Canada on "Prosperity,
Global Supply Chains and the Role of Government Procurement." Its objective -
to stimulate the entry of Canadian companies into strategic "Global Supply
Chains", demonstrating that Public Sector Procurement can supercharge our
economy by plugging our companies into the world economy - without an increase
in government spending.
Reid, concluded, "The fundamental issue remains the lack of an overall
industrial/economic strategy and business model for Canada; other countries
have and are using government procurement as an economic lever, why not
Canada? There does not appear to be a single substantive vision for how the
government should conduct procurement with the context of an industrial
strategy."
The ICT sector alone contributes annually to the Canadian economy 550,000
jobs (with a three time multiplier for each job loss), $130 billion in
revenue, $5.2 billion in R&D investment, $18.7 billion in exports and
$10.8 billion in capital expenditure.
++ ACTION ITEM:
CATA has opened its Vendor Survey to provide a vehicle for executives to
express their concerns and interests in Procurement Changes. Please take five
minutes to provide your input at: http://www.e-penso.com/survey/s?s(equal
sign)VendorACTcam
++ ACTION ITEM:
CATA Members can request copies of PWGSC Presentation materials and a
copy of the CATA Discussion paper on "Prosperity, Global Supply Chains and the
Role of Government Procurement" can be obtained from Cathi Malette at
cmalette(at)cata.ca
VendorACT Campaign:
Since 2005, CATAAlliance, the largest high tech association in the
country, has been directing a VendorACT Campaign on behalf of the ICT vendor
community to present its issues and concerns on the government-wide review of
procurement and shared services initiative. The Campaign has included survey
and research work, meetings with vendors, briefings of government and
political representatives, media relations and development of communications
materials.
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2006 Guelph Awards of Excellence Winners Announced
June 15, 2006 - The Guelph Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2006 Guelph Awards of Excellence at yesterday’s Guelph Awards of Excellence gala event.
The Mayor’s Awards
The tradition of awarding individuals in Guelph who have demonstrated dedication and leadership in community service was started in 1997 with former Guelph Mayor Joe Young. The Mayor’s Awards celebrate people in our community who inspire us – those who generously give their time and energy to help others and to improve the quality of life in our community.
The winners of the 2006 Mayor’s Awards are:
Mary DuQuesnay
Ron Asselstine
Gil Stetler
The late Terry Doyle
Downtown Volunteer of the Year Award
The Downtown Volunteer of the Year Award is in memory of Sherry Hall who passed away in March 2003 and who exemplified the spirit of volunteerism. The award is given to a volunteer offering exemplary service in the Downtown core or volunteering on behalf of an association located Downtown.
The winner of the 2006 Downtown Volunteer of the Year Award in memory of Sherry Hall is:
· Riki Westrik, active volunteer with the Guelph Community Health Centre.
The Guelph Partnership For Innovation Award
Guelph Partnership for Innovation (GPI) is a community-based organization with the vision of making Guelph one of the top centres in North America for life science and agri-food research, development and commercialization. The GPI Award recognizes an individual in Guelph who has exhibited outstanding leadership and commitment in life science and agri-food sectors in Guelph and has made a significant impact in advancing the Guelph life science cluster.
The Winner of the Guelph Partnership for Innovation Award is:
· Peter Hannam BSA, P.Ag Dist., FAIC
The United Way Guelph & Wellington Campaign Awards
United Way Guelph & Wellington Campaign of the Year Award is presented to the workplace running the best overall campaign, according to the amount of growth, participation rates, corporate giving, and involvement in all aspects of the campaign. This may include presentations to employees, personal canvassing, loaned representatives, gifts in kind and sponsorship
The Winner of the United Way Guelph & Wellington Campaign of the Year Award Is:
· The Co-operators
United Way Guelph & Wellington President’s Campaign Award is presented to any organization or group of people that have been involved with the United Way campaign for 5 years or more and whom have demonstrated consistent support and commitment. The employees of this organization have shown exemplary involvement in the campaign by their enthusiasm, commitment and volunteerism.
The Winner of the United Way Guelph & Wellington President’s Campaign Award is:
· Wellington Catholic District School Board
Guelph Chamber of Commerce President’s Plaque for Exemplary Service
This award was developed to recognize an individual member who has truly gone above and beyond in their commitment and support of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
The winner of the 2006 Guelph Chamber of Commerce President’s Plaque for Exemplary service award is:
Kevin Kelly, Programme Director and Co-host on Magic 106.1
The University of Guelph College of Management and Economics Workplace Education Award
Sponsored by the College of Management and Economics at the University of Guelph, the Workplace Education Award recognizes an organization in Guelph that exhibits excellence in supporting post secondary education by: (1) providing tuition reimbursement for employees who take post-secondary courses or who undertake degree, diploma or certificate programs, and/or (2) providing co-op placement opportunities for students studying in the City of Guelph.
The winner of the University of Guelph College of Management & Economics Workplace Education Award is:
The Guelph General Hospital
The Guelph Quality Awards
Quality systems of applicants in each of the individual areas were numerically graded and adjudicated by the local chapter of the American Society for Quality. Guelph Quality Award Certificates are only granted when applicants reach a designated benchmark grade. Trophies are given for applicants who have successfully completed all 6 applications.
Planning Certificate Award:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
Platypi Designs
Leadership Certificate Award:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
People Focus Certificate Award:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
Guelph Community Health Centre
Platypi Designs
Business Results Certificate Award:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
Customer Focus Certificate Award:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
Process Management Certificate Award:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
2006 Guelph Quality Award Trophy for Business Excellence:
DENSO Manufacturing Canada
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Rotary Club of Guelph-Wellington
The Rotary Club of Guelph-Wellington on June 12, 2006 presented the Frank Clements Memorial
Scholarship to Nick Danzell. The amount of the scholarship is $1,500.00 and is given to deserving
residents of Wyndham House that have decided to further their education in a post secondary school.
Nick has been accepted into the 3 year Aviation Programme at Sault Collage in September 2006. The
staff at Wyndham House stated his respectful attitude was an inspiration to the other residents. He was
constantly challenging the other residents to work hard in both Wyndham house and life. |
Canada - Korea Free Trade Agreement Bad News for Canada, CAW Tells International Trade Committee Wednesday
OTTAWA - The Canadian Auto Workers union will strongly oppose the proposed free trade agreement between Canada and South Korea in a presentation this afternoon to the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade.
"A free trade deal with Korea offers no tangible benefits to Canada, yet puts some of our most important high-tech industries at risk," says Jim Stanford, CAW Economist, who will make the presentation on behalf of the union.
"Our government is putting ideology ahead of the concrete economic interests of Canadians, by forcing this deal through over the objection of the auto industry and other key sectors of our economy," Stanford said.
The Canadian auto industry has been unanimous - including North American assemblers, Toyota, Honda, parts suppliers, the CAW, and other stakeholders - in condemning the proposed deal, which would allow rapidly-growing Korean exporters (like Hyundai and Kia) to further expand their sales in Canada, but with no guarantees of equivalent Canadian sales into Korea.
Stanford will be joined by Chris Buckley, president of CAW Local 222 in Oshawa, representing 15,000 members in the auto and auto parts industries. "Our plants in Oshawa have just been recognized, again, as the highest- quality, highest-productivity assembly facilities on the whole continent," said Buckley. "Yet our jobs are still in danger, largely because of a one-way flow of automotive imports from Asia. Free trade with Korea will make things even worse."
The GM Oshawa car assembly plant, whose employees are represented by Buckley, recently received a gold medal from J.D. Power and Associates as the highest-quality assembly facility in the Western Hemisphere. The same plant was also ranked second by Harbour Consulting in its recent ranking of all North American assembly plants on average productivity. General Motors has announced it plans to close the plant after the current model expires in 2008, as the company grapples with excess capacity resulting from lost market share and surging imports.
Canada presently has approximately a $3 billion trade deficit with South Korea, which the CAW argues is equivalent to the loss of about 15,000 manufacturing jobs. Based on the experience of other bilateral trade deals which Canada has negotiated (with countries like Mexico, Chile, Israel, and Costa Rica), this deficit will get far worse under a free trade agreement. In automotive products, Canada imports $150 worth of Korean-made automotive products for every dollar we export to Korea. A complex set of measures (including exchange rate, taxation, and non-tariff barrier policies) has restrained imports to Korea, even as Korean exports to Canada and other markets expand strongly.
The Committee hearing will take place from 3:30 through 5:30 in Room 308 of the West Block, Parliament Hill. The CAW will make its presentation at 4:30 p.m.
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CAW To Hold Demonstration to Protest Nursing Home Layoffs
KITCHENER, ON, - CAW Local 302 will hold a demonstration Thursday, June 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. outside the Forest Heights Long Term Care facility in Kitchener to protest the pending layoff of full-time health care aides and personal support workers.
The facility is located at 60 West Heights Drive in Kitchener, where the CAW represents 180 full time and part time workers.
"The members of CAW Local 302 at Forest Heights feel first and foremost, that residents care will be directly affected by these cuts," said CAW Local 302 president Nancy McMurphy. "We can't possibly deliver the care these residents deserve and need with eight front line jobs eliminated."
Part of the duties of the four day time positions being cut are to ensure that residents have a second bath each week. The cut of four evening positions will reduce the number of health care aides from five to four in each area.
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NAV CANADA announces ratification of collective agreement with CAW local 1016
OTTAWA - NAV CANADA June 12 announced that members of Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), Local 1016, have ratified the tentative collective agreement reached on May 17, which runs from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2009.
The 355 members of the CAW, Local 1016 provide flight planning services;
simulation support for air traffic control training; aeronautical information
services and design; and flight data analysis for billing and publications
support.
NAV CANADA has now settled with seven of its eight unions, representing
nearly 99 per cent of its 4,780 unionized workforce.
NAV CANADA, the country's civil air navigation services provider, is a
private sector, non-share capital corporation financed through publicly-traded
debt. With operations coast to coast, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control,
flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services,
airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation.
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ArvinMeritor and CAW Reach Tentative Agreement in Tilbury, Ontario
TROY, Mich -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. announced June 12 that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) 1941 union bargaining committee at ArvinMeritor's Tilbury, Ont., Canada Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) foundation brake facility. Operations at the Tilbury facility will resume today, effective immediately.
"We welcome our employees back and are pleased to reach this tentative agreement," said Pedro Ferro, vice president and general manager of Braking Systems for ArvinMeritor's CVS business group. "Meeting our customers' requirements remains our top priority throughout this process."
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier $8.8 billion global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 29,000 people at more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 25 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.arvinmeritor.com .
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MaRS Centre Wins Intelligent Building of the Year
Global think tank recognizes use of broadband and information technology
for economic development
TORONTO - The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced MaRS Centre as the winner of its Intelligent Building of the Year at the annual Intelligent Community of the Year Awards in New York City on Friday, June 9th. MaRS Centre was selected among three finalists that included the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Ballantyne Village, Charlotte, North Carolina, which represented a North American sweep of the category. ICF cited MaRS as a development that would feed innovation and economic progress for the community.
The Intelligent Community Forum (www.intelligentcommunity.org) is a
global think tank, formed by World Teleport Association in 2000, that focuses
on the uses of broadband and information technology for economic development
by communities large and small. Its annual awards give a significant profile
to communities leading the way in the Digital Age.
Nearly 200 delegates from around the world, representing governments and
leading technology company executives, were in attendance at the annual
conference and awards presentations to discuss and recognize ways that
broadband communications is making a practical but profound impact on the
infrastructure, economy, businesses, governments and social growth.
MaRS Discovery District aims to improve commercial outcomes from Canada's
foundation of science and technology innovation to position Ontario and Canada
as powerful and competitive players in the global knowledge economy. MaRS is
leading the new field of convergence innovation by connecting and fostering
collaboration between the communities of science, business and capital through
co-location in the MaRS Centre, catalytic programs and structured networks
that extend virtually through its web portal.
MaRS Centre is located in Toronto's Discovery District, in the heart of
Toronto's downtown research cluster. Phase One, 700,000 sq. ft., comprising
office and lab space for researchers, start-ups, mid-sized and multinational
high-technology companies, venture capital firms and services such as
technology transfer groups, accountants, lawyers, networking organizations and
funding agencies, officially opened in September, 2005. Phase Two, another
1,000,000 sq. ft., will commence this fall with expected completion in 2008.
Partnering with industry leaders such as APC, Apple, Bell Canada,
Christie Digital, Harman Pro Group, Nortel, Sun Microsystems, Samsung and
Tandberg, MaRS Centre is the first building of its kind to leverage emerging
IP based technologies to offer a fully connected community for tenants located
physically in the building and to a broader stakeholder community connected
virtually over broadband networks. The MaRS Collaboration Centre conference
facility located within MaRS Centre is the first venue of its kind to adopt a
fully converged audiovisual infrastructure that allows anywhere/anytime access
and control using a local or wide area IP network. Additionally, MaRS will
anchor the rollout of a Discovery District wide wireless network.
"We are very honoured to be the recipient of the Intelligent Building of
the Year Award. MaRS is growing technology-based companies and fostering the
ecosystem in which such companies flourish. By integrating emerging
technologies into the foundation of the MaRS Centre, we are pushing the
boundaries of convergence and the use of technology as a true collaboration
platform in a way that is unique in the world. We thank the ICF for
recognizing MaRS as a leader in this arena," said Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of
MaRS Discovery District.
"Congratulations to the MaRS Discovery District on winning the
Intelligent Building of the Year Award," said Ontario Premier and Minister of
Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty. "Research and innovation are critical
to building a high-wage, high-quality-of-life economy for Ontario families.
That's why we're so proud to work with this world-class centre to ensure
Ontario stands above the crowd in the knowledge-based, global economy."
The Province of Ontario and the Canadian Consul General of New York
hosted a reception honoring the Top Seven Intelligent Communities and the
finalists of the three other awards on the evening of June 8th at the Bank of
New York.
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eNews |
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Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce June 9,
2006 |
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Inside this Issue . . . . .
1.
10-digit Local Calling Starting June 17th
2. GST
Reduction - Is Your Business Ready?
3. Business After
5 - Glen Ridge Golf Course- June 13,
2006
4. Ontario´s Campaign For Fairness with John
Milloy, MPP - June 16, 2006
5. New Member
Welcome - June 20, 2006
6. Speed Mentoring
- June 21, 2006
6. New Member Welcome -
June 20, 2006
7. Provincial Issues
Forum - June 23, 2006
8. Regional Issues Forum -
June 29, 2006
9. Chamber Corporate Challenge -
September 16, 2006
10. Chamber After 5 - regional
business tradeshow - September 19, 2006
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1. 10-digit Local Calling Starting
June 17th |
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On June 17th,
2006, 10-digit local calling - the area code
followed by the telephone number - will be
introduced in regions served by area codes 519 and
613 in Ontario. As of this date, callers
will be required to dial the area code followed by
the 7-digit telephone number for all local
communications. To meet growing demand, in October
2006, a new area code, 226, will be added to
the region served by the 519 area code in
Southwestern Ontario and will coexist with the
current codes within the same geographic
area.
Consumers, as well as business
need to prepare for 10-digit dialing. Some
communications equipment and telephone functions
must be reprogrammed to include the area code in
order to accommodate 10 digit dialing and
ensure that all local calls are connected.
For more information specific to your region, and
to answer frequently asked questions, please
contact info@dial10.ca
or visit the website at www.dial10.ca.
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2. GST Reduction - Is Your
Business Ready? |
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The federal government announced in
Budget 2006 that they would be decreasing the GST
from 7% to 6% effective July 1, 2006. As a
result of this change, businesses where GST
transactions occur will need to take some steps to
ensure that their incoming and outgoing accounting
practices are up to speed by the implementation
date.
There are several instances where the
GST change will impact business
transactions. The firm Deloitte and Touche
LLP has provided some information on these
impacts. Please click here to review.
Please note that this information is not an
exhaustive list of items that businesses may need
to address. For more information, please
consult the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website for more
information.
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3. Business After 5 - Glen
Ridge Golf Course - June 13, 2006 |
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Get into the Swing of Things and
celebrate Chamber Golf Month in June!
Meet potential new customers
at the June Business After 5 hosted at
Glen Ridge Golf Course (located at
Bingemans). Enjoy a delicious outdoor BBQ,
practice your swing at the driving range and
your putting on the greens while networking with
over 150 potential business
contacts.
Please note that this event
is taking place right on the golf
course. Flat footwear is
recommended.
To book a
booth or to learn more about this event,
please contact Tania
Russell at 519-749-6032 or
visit the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of
Commerce website at www.greaterkwchamber.com.
NO PRE-REGISTRATION
REQUIRED for BA5, just pay at the
door.
| Date /
Time: |
Tuesday, June 13,
2006
5:00p.m. -
7:00p.m.
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| Location: |
425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener
**Rain location is Funworx (at
Bingemans)** |
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Chamber Members:
Future
Members:
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$5.00
$25.00
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4. Ontario´s Campaign For Fairness
with John Milloy, MPP - June 16, 2006 |
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On April 11, the Council of the
Federation (COF) released a report on the fiscal
imbalance in Canada. The McGuinty government is
pleased the report supports Ontario s fight for
fairness for all Canadians. However, the province
feels that the report merely addresses the
fiscal arrangements as they are currently
constructed and does not address the need to
involve our cities, given their growing role in
keeping Canada prosperous and
competitive.
The government of Ontario finds some
hope in the fact the federal budget mentioned the
fiscal imbalance, but is disappointed the federal
government chose to focus on Equalization as the
primary means for addressing
it.
Join Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy,
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs, as he discusses
Ontario s reaction, and how the McGuinty
government is looking forward to working with
their federal, provincial, and territorial
partners to build a national consensus on measures
to address the fiscal imbalance in a way that is
fair to everyone; in a way that allows all
provinces to invest in our hospitals, schools,
infrastructure, and municipalities; in a way that
will help ensure that all regions and all
Canadians prosper in the future.
SPACE IS LIMITED - To register or to
learn more, click
here or call Megan Harris at
519-749-6045.
| Date /
Time: |
Friday, June 16,
2006
7:30a.m. -
9:00a.m.
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| Location: |
Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber
of Commerce; 80 Queen St. N.,
Kitchener |
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Chamber Members:
Future
Members:
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$15.00
$25.00
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5. New Member Welcome -
June 20, 2006 |
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All Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber
of Commerce members are invited to attend the
June New Member Welcome reception! This is a
great opportunity to meet new members, mingle with
business people in the area and network.
Please RSVP to Jenn Zehr by June 14,
2006 by email at jzehr@greaterkwchamber.com or
call 519-749-6031.
| Date /
Time: |
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
5:00p.m.-
7:00p.m.
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| Location: |
Holiday Inn Kitchener
Waterloo
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6. Speed
Mentoring - June 21, 2006 |
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Your Future is Here& Here is Your
Future
Are you a junior or senior level
professional interested in expanding your network?
If so, join us for an evening of speed mentoring
where young professionals and mentors collaborate
to foster relationship building.
Space
is limited to 20 junior and 20 senior
professionals.
What it is...
§ð An opportunity
for junior professionals (mentees) to connect with
senior professionals to act
as mentors
§ð An opportunity for
mentees/mentors to expand their business
network
§ð An opportunity for mentors to
offer guidance and support to help young
professionals achieve their professional
goals
§ð An opportunity for mentors to meet
first hand, the next generation of young
professionals within the greater
Kitchener-Waterloo area
§ð An opportunity
for mentees and mentors to develop professional
relationships extending beyond this
seminar
What it is not...
§ð A job
interview
§ð Mentors doing all the work in
helping a mentee expand their business
network
§ð A guarantee that you will meet
another like-minded
mentee/mentor
For more information and to register, click here or contact Jason
Kipfer at 519-749-6044 or jkipfer@greaterkwchamber.com.
| Date /
Time: |
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
5:00p.m.-
7:00p.m.
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| Location: |
EV Marketing & Special Events
(previously Emmanual Village);
Kitchener |
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Member:
Future
Member:
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$15.00
$25.00
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7.
Provincial Issues Forum - June 23, 2006 |
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Sponsored by Research in Motion
Join
MPPs Ted Arnott, John Milloy and Elizabeth Witmer
for our Provincial Issues Forum. Have your say!
Book your calendar and join us in a discussion
with our local MPPs.
This year the discussion will focus on
initiatives that generate prosperity and create a
more fiscally competitive environment.
For more information contact Megan Harris at
519-749-6045 or mharris@greaterkwchamber.com
| Date /
Time: |
Friday, June 23, 2006
11:30a.m.-
1:00p.m.
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| Location: |
The Stone Crock Restaurant, Grand
Ballroom; St. Jacobs |
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Member:
Future
Member:
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$35.00 (lunch provided)
$50.00
(lunch
provided)
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8. Regional Issues Forum - June
29, 2006 |
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Sponsored by Bell Canada
Join Regional Chair Ken Seiling, Kitchener
Mayor Carl Zehr, Woolwich Township Mayor Bill
Strauss and Jan d´Ailly, Waterloo City Councillor
for an informative evening forum on regional and
municipal affairs.
Discussion on issues of importance to the
greater Kitchener-Waterloo business community and
our future economic prosperity will
include:
§ð Regional Growth Management
Strategy
§ð Transportation
Infrastructure
§ð East Side Employment Land
Development
§ð Water Distribution
Services
§ð Engineering and Planning
Initiatives
For more information contact Megan Harris at
519-749-6045 or mharris@greaterkwchamber.com
| Date /
Time: |
Thursday, June 29, 2006
4:00p.m.-
6:00p.m.
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| Location: |
Peter Benninger Realty Theatre;
Kitchener |
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Member:
Future
Member:
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$15.00
$25.00
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9. Chamber Corporate Challenge -
September 16, 2006 |
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For more than 20 years, the Chamber
Corporate Challenge has brought local businesses,
organizations and employees together in the spirit
of friendly competition for a fun-filled day that
encourages, promotes and delivers teambuilding,
camaraderie, networking while raising significant
funds for local children s charities. The Greater
Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce challenges
you to register a team and become this year s top
performing and most successful fundraising team
ever!
SPECIAL OFFER - By registering your
company before JUNE 15th, your company name will
be listed in the July Chamber Advocate
AND your team will receive 45 seconds
off your teams final
time!!
For team registration and/or
sponsorship inquiries, please contact Jason Kipfer
at 519-749-6044 or by email at jkipfer@greaterkwchamber.com
| Date /
Time: |
Saturday, September 16,
2006
10:30a.m.-
5:30p.m.
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| Location: |
Budd Park (at Homer Watson
Blvd.) Kitchener |
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Member Team (8 people)
Future Team
(8 people)
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$300.00 (plus GST)
$325.00 (plus
GST)
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10. Chamber After 5 - regional
business tradeshow - September 19, 2006 |
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Don t be left out!
Space is
quickly filling up for the Chamber After
5 regional business tradeshow at Bingemans on
September 19, 2006. Don´t miss your opportunity to
participate in one of the area´s largest business
networking events!
This annual event
showcases member companies from the Cambridge,
Guelph and Greater Kitchener Waterloo
Chambers and attracts over 1200 visitors! Over
200 member companies will have their products
and services on display and delicious food from 11
different restaurants will be available!
Click
here to register and to learn
more! For more information, please contact
Tania
Russell at
519-749-6032.
| Date /
Time: |
Tuesday, September 19,
2006
4:00p.m.-
8:00p.m.
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| Location: |
Bingemans Ballroom and Marshall
Hall; Kitchener |
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Member:
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$300.00 (plus
GST)
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More bureaucracy equals more barriers
TORONTO - The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006 introduced on June 8 will do little if anything to improve access for international medical graduates (IMGs) in Ontario. "In fact, the legislation does nothing to address the root cause of the physician shortage in this province, and adds a new layer of bureaucracy that may in fact cause delays to College processes," said Dr. Rocco Gerace, Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
The proposed legislation introduces new reporting requirements, costly
audit processes, and reduces the flexibility of the current registration
process to consider the competence of individual applicants rather than
whether or not they have specific credentials.
The College is committed to a fair, objective, transparent and
accountable registration process. "Our goal," said Dr. Gerace, "is to ensure
that our process is accessible, with appropriate rigor and fair to applicants
while best protecting the public interest." The recent Thompson Report
recommended a number of registration "best practices," the majority of which
the College is already practicing.
In addition, as a result of numerous College initiatives which began in
1999 and programs supported by the Ministry of Health, the College has
licensed more international medical graduates than Ontario graduates in each
of the last two years. For more information about the College's registration
statistics, go to
http://www.cpso.on.ca/ Info_physicians/NewsReleaseRegStats.pdf.
The legislation will not increase opportunities for IMGs to fully
participate in Ontario's health care system. Instead, the following is needed:
<<
- Assess every IMG and if necessary, provide with training;
- Market Ontario as a great place to work for health professionals and
encourage Ontario physicians to return;
- Create a health human resource planning body; and
- Develop and incorporate collaborative care models into our health
care system.
>>
"We believe that this legislation will have a number of unintended
consequences," said Dr. Gerace. "At a time when we desperately need qualified
physicians, we should not be adding new layers of bureaucracy, duplication and
expense to the process, but looking for changes that will have a positive
impact on access to licensure in Ontario and access to quality care for
patients."
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CA Institute welcomes government action on internationally trained professionals
New legislation would provide better access while keeping standards high
TORONTO - The Provincial Government's response to the Thomson Report's recommendations on providing access to the professions for the internationally trained strikes the right balance between fairness to immigrants and keeping professional standards high, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.
The steps outlined in Ontario's Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, are based on recommendations found in Review of Appeals Processes from Registration Decisions in Ontario's Regulated Professions, a report by National Judicial Institute Executive Director George Thomson that was unveiled in November 2005. They include:
- Establishing a code to regulate fair registration processes, with a
Fair Registration Practices Commissioner appointed to oversee the
implementation and adherence to the code.
- A Minister's Roundtable on Fair Access to Regulated Professions.
- An Access Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals.
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"We support helping internationally trained professionals use their
skills in Ontario. Our province depends on developing a workforce that
reflects the world in which we do business," said Institute President and CEO
Brian Hunt, FCA. "We are especially pleased at the careful balance the
government has struck between helping newcomers while maintaining the high
level of professional standards required to protect Ontarians."
Hunt notes that, in the case of the CA profession, the access process for
internationally trained professionals is already at best practice levels. In
January 2005, a 'report card' issued by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and
Universities ranked the Institute second among 10 professional bodies
evaluated, in terms of their response to barriers identified by
internationally trained professionals.
The Institute's approach is to provide a fair and transparent career path
that provides detailed, step-by-step information on the assessment process,
the experience and examination requirements, the costs involved, and a summary
of labour market conditions for Chartered Accountants.
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Other highlights of the Institute's record include:
- Participation in the International Qualifications Appraisal Board,
which assesses the qualification standards of accounting bodies in
other countries against Canadian CA standards to provide access to
qualified applicants
- A transparent registration and appeals processes that includes full
participation by public representatives (persons who are not
accountants) as voting members
- Working with accounting bodies in other countries - including many in
Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim - to help them
achieve standards equal to those in Canada.
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"We all want new Canadians to succeed and we can't afford to waste
talent," Hunt concluded. "Let's build on our progress with a realistic system
of best practices that identifies achievable goals, while maintaining the
level of high, internationally recognized professional standards that have
traditionally served Ontario so well."
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Greater Kitchener Waterloo and Area Inside this Issue . . . . . June 2
1. Greater Kitchener Waterloo Enhanced Member Advantage Program
2. Southwestern Ontario Industrial Show - June 7-8, 2006
3. Ontario´s Campaign For Fairness with John Milloy, MPP - June 16, 2006
4. Business After 5 - Glen Ridge Golf Course- June 13, 2006
5. Speed Mentoring - June 21, 2006
6. New Member Welcome - June 20, 2006
7. Provincial Issues Forum - June 23, 2006
8. Regional Issues Forum - June 29, 2006
9. Chamber Corporate Challenge - September 16, 2006
10. Chamber After 5 - regional business tradeshow - September 19, 2006
1. Enhance Your Membership!
Introduce your products and services to more than 1,800 members of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce through Member-to-Member Offers and the Chamber web site.
Click here to review the attached fact sheet and submit your offer today! Offers are updated daily on the Member Advantage webpage
Join the newest Member- to- Member Offers today!
VIA Rail - Receive 25% off Comfort Class adult fares and 5% off VIA 1 fares. Learn more!
AMJ Van Lines - Receive 10% off local moves and 65% off long distance moves. Learn more!
DML Design Consultants - Receive 10% off interior design consulting services. Learn more!
Submit your offer today! For more information contact Jenn Zehr at 749-6031.
2. Southwestern Ontario Industrial Show - June 7-8, 2006
SOIS is the leading forum for manufacturing and industrial professionals from throughout Southwestern Ontario to find industrial solutions to their design, machinery, maintenance, and supply chain challenges. Be part of the largest and most diversified showcase of manufacturing solutions in Southwestern Ontario.
The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Southwestern Ontario Industrial Show Present:
1) SOIS Kick-off Breakfast: “The Waterloo Way: The Evolution of Manufacturing”
June 7th at 7:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.
John Tennant, CEO, Canada´s Technology Triangle Inc. will provide an overview of the strength of manufacturing in Waterloo Region. Participants will learn how the region´s economy has adapted to change in the global environment.
2) Town Hall Luncheon: "Processes, Partners and Predictions" - SOLD OUT
June 7th at 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m.
A panel discussion including: Terry Reidel, President, Kuntz Electroplating Inc., Ted Witzel, President, Onward Manufacturing Company Ltd., Paul Knafelc, President, Community Benchmarks and moderated by Fred Kuntz, Group Publisher, Grand River Valley Newspapers. Get insights from inside the minds of two leading manufacturers and a regional economist as they provide their perspective on the challenges and opportunities of manufacturing today. Our panelists will highlight process improvements and partnerships they have developed and predictions for the future of manufacturing in Southwestern Ontario.
3) Keynote Breakfast: "Lean On Me: Supplying Canada´s Leading Automotive Producers"
June 8th, at 7:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.
Learn the success story behind a company´s journey to become a leading provider of Canada´s foremost automotive producers. Avoid production fluctuations by harnessing the best practices shared by Robert Temple, Plant Controller, Trim Masters Inc.
For more information, visit contact www.sois.ca or contact Jason Kipfer at 519-749-6044.
Be sure to visit the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce at Booth #519.
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 8, 2006
9:00a.m.-8:00p.m. and 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m.
Location: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
Registration:
No Charge
3. Ontario´s Campaign For Fairness with John Milloy, MPP - June 16, 2006
On April 11, the Council of the Federation (COF) released a report on the fiscal imbalance in Canada. The McGuinty government is pleased the report supports Ontario’s fight for fairness for all Canadians. However, the province feels that the report merely addresses the fiscal arrangements as they are currently constructed and does not address the need to involve our cities, given their growing role in keeping Canada prosperous and competitive.
The government of Ontario finds some hope in the fact the federal budget mentioned the fiscal imbalance, but is disappointed the federal government chose to focus on Equalization as the primary means for addressing it.
Join Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, as he discusses Ontario’s reaction, and how the McGuinty government is looking forward to working with their federal, provincial, and territorial partners to build a national consensus on measures to address the fiscal imbalance in a way that is fair to everyone; in a way that allows all provinces to invest in our hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and municipalities; in a way that will help ensure that all regions and all Canadians prosper in the future.
SPACE IS LIMITED - To register or to learn more, click here or call Megan Harris at 749-6045.
Date / Time: Friday, June 16, 2006
7:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.
Location: Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce; 80 Queen St. N., Kitchener
Chamber Members:
Future Members:
$15.00
$25.00
4. Business After 5 - Glen Ridge Golf Course- June 13, 2006
Get into the Swing of Things and celebrate Chamber Golf Month in June!
Meet potential new customers at the June Business After 5 hosted at Glen Ridge Golf Course (located at Bingemans). As always, enjoy complementary hors d´oeuvres and refreshments, and enter for your chance to win one of the many door prizes.
To book a booth or to learn more about this event, please contact Tania Russell at 749-6032 or visit the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce website at www.greaterkwchamber.com.
Don´t forget to mark your calendars for these upcoming BA5 events:
July: VIA Rail
August: EV Marketing & Event Services
September: Chamber After 5 regional business tradeshow; Bingemans
NO PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED for BA5, just pay at the door.
Date / Time: Tuesday, June 13, 2006
5:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Location: 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener **Rain location is Funworx (at Bingemans)
Chamber Members:
Future Members:
$5.00
$25.00
5. New Member Welcome - June 20, 2006
All Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce members are invited to attend the June New Member Welcome reception! This is a great opportunity to meet new members, mingle with business people in the area and network.
Please RSVP to Jenn Zehr by June 14, 2006 by email at jzehr@greaterkwchamber.com or call 749-6031.
Date / Time: Tuesday, June 20, 2006
5:00p.m.- 7:00p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Kitchener Waterloo
6. Speed Mentoring - June 21, 2006
Your Future is Here… Here is Your Future
Are you a junior or senior level professional interested in expanding your network? If so, join us for an evening of “speed mentoring” where young professionals and mentors collaborate to foster relationship building.
Space is limited to 20 junior and 20 senior professionals.
What it is...
An opportunity for junior professionals (mentees) to connect with senior professionals to act as mentors
An opportunity for mentees/mentors to expand their business network
An opportunity for mentors to offer guidance and support to help young professionals achieve their professional goals
An opportunity for mentors to meet first hand, the next generation of young professionals within the greater Kitchener-Waterloo area
An opportunity for mentees and mentors to develop professional relationships extending beyond this seminar
What it is not...
A job interview
Mentors doing all the work in helping a mentee expand their business network
A guarantee that you will meet another like-minded mentee/mentor
For more information and to register, click here or contact Jason Kipfer at 519-749-6044 or jkipfer@greaterkwchamber.com.
Date / Time: Wednesday, June 21, 2006
5:00p.m.- 7:00p.m.
Location: EV Marketing & Special Events; Kitchener
Member:
Future Member:
$15.00
$25.00
7. Provincial Issues Forum - June 23, 2006
Sponsored by Research in Motion
Join MPPs Ted Arnott, John Milloy and Elizabeth Witmer for our Provincial Issues Forum. Have your say! Book your calendar and join us in a discussion with our local MPPs.
This year the discussion will focus on initiatives that generate prosperity and create a more fiscally competitive environment.
For more information contact Megan Harris at 519-749-6045 or mharris@greaterkwchamber.com
Date / Time: Friday, June 23, 2006
11:30a.m.- 1:00p.m.
Location: The Stone Crock Restaurant, Grand Ballroom; St. Jacobs
Member:
Future Member:
$35.00 (lunch provided)
$50.00 (lunch provided)
8. Regional Issues Forum - June 29, 2006
Sponsored by Bell Canada
Join Regional Chair Ken Seiling, Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr, Woolwich Township Mayor Bill Strauss and a representative from Waterloo City Council for an informative evening forum on regional and municipal affairs.
Discussion on issues of importance to the greater Kitchener-Waterloo business community and our future economic prosperity will include:
Regional Growth Management Strategy
Transportation Infrastructure
East Side Employment Land Development
Water Distribution Services
Engineering and Planning Initiatives
For more information contact Megan Harris at 519-749-6045 or mharris@greaterkwchamber.com
Date / Time: Thursday, June 29, 2006
4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m.
Location: Peter Benninger Realty Theatre; Kitchener
Member:
Future Member:
$15.00
$25.00
9. Chamber Corporate Challenge - September 16, 2006
For more than 20 years, the Chamber Corporate Challenge has brought local businesses, organizations and employees together in the spirit of friendly competition for a fun-filled day that encourages, promotes and delivers teambuilding, camaraderie, networking while raising significant funds for local children’s charities. The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce challenges you to register a team and become this year’s top performing and most successful fundraising team ever!
SPECIAL OFFER - By registering your company before JUNE 15th, your company name will listed in the July Chamber Advocate AND your team will receive 45 seconds off your teams final time!!
For team registration and/or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Jason Kipfer at (519) 749-6044 or by email at jkipfer@greaterkwchamber.com
Date / Time: Saturday, September 16, 2006
10:30a.m.- 5:30p.m.
Location: Budd Park (at Homer Watson Blvd.) Kitchener
Member Team (8 people)
Future Team (8 people)
$300.00 (plus GST)
$325.00 (plus GST)
10. Chamber After 5 - regional business tradeshow - September 19, 2006
Don’t be left out!
Space is quickly filling up for the Chamber After 5 regional business tradeshow at Bingemans on September 19, 2006. Don´t miss your opportunity to participate in one of the area´s largest business networking events!
This annual event showcases member companies from the Cambridge, Guelph and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chambers and attracts over 1200 visitors! Over 200 member companies will have their products and services on display and delicious food from 11 different restaurants will be available!
Click here to register and to learn more! For more information, please contact Tania Russell at 519-749-6032.
Date / Time: Tuesday, September 19, 2006
4:00p.m.- 8:00p.m.
Location: Bingemans Ballroom and Marshall Hall; Kitchener
Member:
$300.00 (plus GST)
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CAW Urges Action on Manufacturing Crisis
TORONTO - The federal government and the Bank of Canada must take immediate steps to deal with the crisis gripping the Canadian manufacturing sector, the Canadian Auto Workers say. Peter Kennedy, assistant to the CAW national secretary-treasurer, outlined the impact of the manufacturing crisis and made four key recommendations in a presentation to the Parliamentary committee on Industry, Science and Technology today in Ottawa. The four recommendations are:
- encourage the Bank of Canada to relax interest rate policies in order to reduce upward pressure on the Canadian dollar;
- continue the recent federal practice of offering support for strategic major investments in the auto industry;
- work with Ontario MPPs and U.S. counterparts to quickly enhance the physical infrastructure at the Canada-U.S. border in Windsor, including the construction of a new crossing;
- withdraw from free trade talks with Korea and work instead to develop a fair trade agreement that ensures North American exports to Korea rise proportionately with growing Korean exports to North America.
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Poll finds Canadians want municipal services public, not private
Water tops services Canadians want kept in public domain
OTTAWA - Nine out of 10 Canadians want their water and sewage services kept public, according to a new poll released on the eve of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) annual conference in Montreal.
"Canadians want local public services kept in public hands, controlled by
democratically elected governments, not run by private companies," said Paul
Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
"This should encourage all politicians at the FCM meeting to keep water public
and tell water profiteers to back off."
The poll found that 93 per cent of Canadians want water services to
remain public. The poll also found that Canadians want the following services
kept in public hands: street and bridge maintenance (87 per cent), libraries
operation (85 per cent), public transit operation (84 per cent), park and rink
maintenance (83 per cent), and garbage collection (82 per cent).
Also, about 63 per cent of Canadians want municipalities to get the full
share of the federal gas tax now, not three years from now, as currently
scheduled, according to the poll.
Eighty-five per cent said it was important that cities use the money to
provide public services directly rather than handing it over to private,
for-profit companies and contractors.
The poll was conducted by Vector Research and commissioned by public and
private sector unions. Its margin of error is plus or minus 2.9 per cent,
19 times out of 20.
The FCM meets in Montreal June 2-5. Paul Moist and CUPE
Secretary-Treasurer Claude Généreux will be attending and available for
comment.
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Steelworkers ratify agreement with Inco Ltd.
SUDBURY - Members of the United Steelworkers' Locals 6500 (Sudbury) and 6200 (Port Colborne) have ratified a new, three-year agreement with Inco Ltd. averting a strike that would have started at midnight Wednesday if the deal had been rejected.
Reached Monday with details released in membership meetings on Tuesday,
the agreement includes wage and pension increases and a guarantee of no
layoffs, whether Inco buys another company or is bought by another company.
"This has been a tough round of bargaining given the backdrop of possible
merger or takeover," said Steelworkers' Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne
Fraser. "Our members have now had the final word on this contract."
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Mexican union leader seeking support not asylum - Steelworkers
OTTAWA - United Steelworkers' National Director Ken Neumann said Wednesday that rumours circulating in Mexico that union leader Napoleon Gomez Urrutia is seeking political asylum in Canada are false and diverting attention away from the issue of seeking justice and reinstatement for Gomez as the democratically-elected leader of the National Union of Mine and Metallurgical Workers of the Mexican Republic (known as Los Mineros).
"Mr. Gomez is a guest of the United Steelworkers in Canada," said
Neumann. "He is meeting with representatives of the opposition parties in
Ottawa to update Canadian politicians about the war of persecution being waged
by the Mexican government and to seek support for his reinstatement."
Neumann added that Canadian Steelworkers have already sent messages to
representatives of the Mexican Government in Canada that Canadians are
appalled by the actions the government has taken against Gomez, who is still
supported by his membership.
"The Mexican government is responsible for his removal from office and
must ensure that he is re-instated, not forced to seek asylum in some other
country."
Neumann said the only 'crime' committed by Gomez is that he spoke out to
protect his membership and to demand an investigation into the mine disaster
at the Pasta de Conchos coal mine, which killed 65 workers and left their
families devastated.
"Our union in Canada worked for more than a decade to bring about
legislation that holds corporations, their directors and executives criminally
accountable for putting workers lives at risk," he said. "The basis for that
lengthy lobbying effort was the Westray mine explosion that took 26 lives in
1992. No one in our union was ever threatened with removal from office for
speaking out. Mexican workers and their representatives deserve no less for
defending their rights.
"We believe the government of Mexico must prove that it believes in
democracy and not state-sponsored intimidation and bullying."
Opposition parties are being asked to support the following actions:
1. That the Mexican government restore Napoleon Gomez to his
democratically-elected position of General Secretary of Los Mineros;
2. That the Mexican government uphold its own labour laws that give
unions broad authority to regulate their internal affairs in
accordance with their constitution;
3. That the Mexican government uphold Article 3 of the International
Labour Organization's Convention 87 governing worker and employer
organizations and their relationship to national governments, a
convention which is incorporated into Mexican labour law at a level
below that of the Constitution but above federal labour law;
4. That the Mexican government honour the 65 miners killed at work by
undertaking a complete investigation into the explosion at the Pasta
de Conchos mine.
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The right time, the right deal say Steelworkers
SUDBURY - With membership information meetings wrapping
up Tuesday, and a vote scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday May 31), United
Steelworkers' Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser revealed some of the
details outlined in a tentative three-year agreement with Inco Ltd. at its
operations in Sudbury and Port Colborne, ON.
Besides hourly wage increases of more than $2.50 over three years, the
minimum monthly pension for a worker retiring with 30 years of service goes to
$3,300.
If accepted, the agreement guarantees no layoffs, whether Inco buys
another company or is bought by another company.
Fraser said the agreement "reflects Inco's extremely strong financial
position and recognizes our members contribution to that success, as well as
protecting Inco employees through any merger or takeover process."
Other monetary gains include: the continuation of earnings based
compensation (expected to pay $15,000 for each employee over the next three
years) and the nickel price bonus; life insurance increased from $35,000 to
$45,000; health care benefits guaranteed; payment to pre-1972 widows doubled
from $500 to $1,000.
As well, the agreement provides a signing bonus of $4,000 for all full-
time employees, including Co-op students.
The agreement also carries of number of contract language changes to
improve workers' rights in Inco's Ontario Division. "Our members will decide
on Wednesday whether this agreement achieves the union's goals," said Fraser.
"The union's bargaining committee is unanimously recommending acceptance."
The agreement was reached Monday, 24 hours after both sides agreed to
return to the bargaining table with the help of a provincial mediator
following a breakdown of talks early Sunday morning.
Members of USW Locals 6500 (Sudbury) and 6200 (Port Colborne) earlier
voted about 98 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary.
The United Steelworkers represents 288,000 men and women working in every
sector of Canada's economy.
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CAW Supports Smoke Free Workplaces
TORONTO - CAW president Buzz Hargrove says the Canadian Auto Workers Union fully supports plans to create smoke free workplaces in Ontario.
"For many years I have told our members and whoever else would listen that you have the right to smoke, but not at the expense of the health of others," Hargrove said. The Ontario government's smoke free workplace legislation becomes law on May 31.
The CAW has supported no-smoking municipal by-laws across the country. In CAW organized workplaces the union has been active in supporting no-smoking requirements and has actively participated in wellness campaigns to help members stop smoking.
"As part of our CAW Prevent Cancer Campaign, we have worked hard to rid our workplaces of hazardous cancer-causing substances, including cigarette smoke," Hargrove said. "I support the start of a smoke-free Ontario, especially for workplaces and for public places. No one should be forced to be exposed to second-hand smoke."
All CAW-owned facilities in Ontario are smoke-free and Hargrove said the union is pleased to see other workplaces in the province must now implement this protection from second-hand smoke.
"With the implementation of this new protection, we encourage the provincial government to ensure Ontario workplaces are required to eliminate other carcinogens such as asbestos," Hargrove said.
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Striking school board workers buoyed by donations and support from CUPE convention
LONDON - Striking Thames Valley District School Board workers received over $120,000 in donations and pledges when they attended the CUPE Ontario convention in Ottawa over the weekend.
"The donations and pledges we received from CUPE locals, CUPE National
and CUPE Ontario, are a reminder that we do not stand alone," said Helena
McConkie, spokesperson for CUPE 4222, Unit C. "This is in addition to the
ongoing support we receive from our national union for strike pay and other
assistance - it really helps us knowing we can sustain our strike with
dignity, until we achieve our goals on behalf of the students we serve."
"Delegates from other school board locals attending convention told us
they face the same issue in their schools, and it's time for school boards to
stop fighting frontline workers and demand the Ministry of Education provide
the necessary funding to support our services," said McConkie. "Otherwise
school board workers from our sister locals will soon be joining us on the
picket lines, demanding adequate time to work with students."
The EAs and IAs have been on strike since May 11th, fighting for
additional time to complete their work with special needs students. "We are
still on the picket line, while the school board lets unqualified scabs
attempt to do our work and students are suffering," said McConkie. "It's time
for the school board to stop dithering and make a serious move to end this
strike."
"The school board has squandered budget surpluses without investing in
frontline services for students," said Jennifer Kaufman, CUPE national
representative. "The trustees and the board knew about this issue three years
ago but chose not to address the real needs of students - it's time for the
board to listen to the workers and parents, and end this strike."
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Steelworkers reach tentative agreement with Inco: Members vote Wednesday
SUDBURY - United Steelworkers' Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser announced Monday that after 24 hours of mediated talks and a strike deadline of midnight Wednesday, a tentative agreement has been reached with Inco Ltd.
"No details will be released until members have had a chance to review
them," Fraser said. Meetings will take place all day tomorrow (Tuesday) and a
vote will take place on Wednesday. Results of the vote will likely be known by
about 9:30 p.m.
Monday's agreement comes 24 hours after both sides agreed to return to
the bargaining table with the help of a provincial mediator following a
breakdown of talks early Sunday morning.
Members of USW Locals 6500 (Sudbury) and 6200 (Port Colborne) earlier
voted about 98 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary.
The United Steelworkers represents 288,000 men and women working in every
sector of Canada's economy.
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Inco talks resume with mediator - Steelworkers
SUDBURY - United Steelworkers' Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said Monday that talks with Inco Ltd. have resumed with the assistance of a mediator.
"There is no deal yet," said Fraser. "Talks are continuing."
Talks had broken off early Sunday morning. The current contract expires
midnight Wednesay (May 31). Members of USW Local 6500 (Sudbury) and 6200 (Port
Colborne) earlier voted about 98 per cent in favour of strike action if
necessary.
The United Steelworkers represents 288,000 men and women working in every
sector of Canada's economy.
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INCO Talks Break Off: The right time, the wrong deal, say Steelworkers
SUDBURY - United Steelworker's Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said Sunday that the failure of negotiations with INCO LTD. For a new collective agreement will likely mean a strike in Sudbury and Port Colborne starting midnight Wednesday. Voting on the company's final offer will take place in Sudbury on Tuesday (May 30) and in Port Colborne on Wednesday (May 31).
"We have been negotiating since April 11 to address priorities identified
by the membership, including significant wage increases, retirement income and
benefits, and improvements in contract language and job security," said
Fraser. "Unfortunately, our expectations that the company would recognize its
employees' contribution towards its great success have not been met.
We cannot, in all good conscience, recommend acceptance of the company's
last offer, tabled early Sunday morning, more than 24 hours past the deadline
originally set to conclude this collective agreement."
In 2003, the price of nickel stood at $4.37 per pound, while in 2006 the
price has soared to $10.23 per pound. Copper was 81 cents per pound in 2003,
and jumped to $3.70 in 2006. These high prices are expected to continue into
the future.
Fraser noted that INCO is a major player on the global mining stage, the
second-largest nickel producer in the world. It is both the subject and object
of high-stakes takeover bids.
"It did not get to that position on the basis of its management prowess,"
he said. "It got there because our members risked their lives to scoop the ore
from the ground and process it for sale on global markets."
Members of the Steelworkers' Locals 6500 and 6200 earlier voted
98 per cent in favour of striking if necessary.
"We are disappointed and angry that INCO has once again forced us into a
position of having to withdraw our labour," Fraser said.
He said the bargaining committee remains committed to obtaining the best
agreement possible, and is open to getting back to the table.
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