March 2009 - Timmins Chamber of Commerce

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inside
business
BI-MONTHLY
CAROL
SWEEZEY
(LAFRANCE)
Agente D’imm / Sales Rep
360-8123
MARCH 2009
Pager
264-5364
REALTY LTD.
Brokerage
www.crworks.com/carolsweezey
A TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PUBLICATION
Nova nominations now open
Nominations are now open for the
much anticipated 2009 Nova Awards.
Nomination packages have been mailed
to every business in Timmins and are available for download on the Timmins
Chamber of Commerce website at
www.timminschamber.on.ca.
Businesses are encouraged to get their
nomination forms in before the March
13th deadline!
Each year, the Timmins Chamber of
Commerce hosts the Nova Awards, a gala
awards ceremony designed to celebrate
business excellence in Timmins.
The awards committee begins planning
for event months in advance; returning
again this year to direct the large-scale
event as co-chairs of the organizing committee are Joel Bergeron and Gary
Marriott.
According to Mr. Marriott, “The scale of
the event is unlike anything else we’ve
seen in the city, and we’re proud that it is
an event which celebrates local business.”
Year over year, the Nova Awards grows in
success and reputation. Over 90 nominations were submitted last year, and the
‘Fire-and-Ice’-themed awards gala saw over
450 in attendance.
Once again for 2009, the ceremony will
be hosted at the McIntyre Arena, with the
theme centred on mining.
In order to accurately reflect the business
community, awards categories may change
slightly from year to year.
For the 2009 awards, recognition will be
given for the following categories:
• Business Contribution to Community
(1- 30 employees)
• Business Contribution to Community
(Over 30 employees)
• Service Excellence
• New Business (Under 2 years)
THE TIMMINS CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE PRESENTS
‘09
AWARDS
Celebrating Business Excellence
Thursday, April 16, 2009
McIntyre Arena, Timmins
• Marketing Innovation Achievement
• Young Entrepreneur (Under 30)
• Business of the Year (1-5 Employees)
• Business of the Year (6-49 Employees)
• Business of the Year (50+ Employees)
• Non-Profit Organization Award
• Apprenticeship Award
• Environmental Award
• Aboriginal Partnership Award
According to organizing committee cochair Joel Bergeron, “The nomination
forms are clear, concise and they don’t
require a large time commitment to complete.”
As well, Bergeron noted two important
items for prospective award winners:
ROSS, POPE & COMPANY
Chartered Accountants
101 Cedar St. South
Timmins ON P4N 2G7
Tel: (705) 264-9484
Fax: (705) 264-0788
E-mail: inform@rosspope.com
“Helping You Achieve Your Goals In Your Business
Is Our Goal In Our Business”
“Businesses do not have to be members of
the Timmins Chamber of Commerce to be
nominated or to win.
As well, we encourage and welcome businesses to self-nominate.
Often it is the business owner himself or
herself that best understands the business
and has easiest access to nomination information.”
Past winners have been nominated by
customers, colleagues, employees, and by
business owners themselves. Judging is
completed by an independent panel of
business experts, who select three finalists
for each award category.
Finalists attend a special “finalists’ reception” prior to the awards ceremony and
receive exposure through a special video
segment which is revealed at the gala.
Nomination deadline is March 13th,
2009 at 5:00 p.m.
Finalists in each category will be notified
by March 31st, 2009.
Award winners will be announced during the gala awards ceremony on
Thursday, April 16th.
For nomination forms, call the Chamber
office at 360-1900, or visit our website
www.timminschamber.on.ca.
Should you have any questions or
require assistance in filling out a nomination package, Nova Awards Committee
members are available to help:
Gary Marriott at 268-8600 or Joel
Bergeron at 268-9988.
Please send all completed nominations
by mail, fax, e-mail or hand delivery to:
Nova Awards Selection Committee
C/O Timmins Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 985
Timmins, ON P4N 7H6
Fax: 360-1193
info@timminschamber.on.ca
Improving fuel tax
system will help
Ontario industries
As a business advocacy organization,
the Chamber strives to improve the business climate by advocating for such things
as fair taxation of businesses.
In fulfilling this mandate, the Chamber
develops policies around issues and recommendations that are identified with
the help of our members.
On February 20, 2009, the Timmins
Chamber of Commerce submitted its policy regarding fuel tax rebates to the
Ontario Chamber of Commerce for consideration at its annual general meeting to
be held in Orangeville, Ontario from May
1-3. The Timmins Chamber policy, entitled “Improving the Competitiveness of
Ontario’s Industries Through Fuel Tax
Rebates for Off Highway Road Transport,”
recommends changes to the current way
in which fuel tax exemption is granted to
industries that use “on-road” and “offroad” routes to haul resources.
Should delegates of the Ontario
Chamber vote in favour of supporting the
policy as resolution, it will join the
Timmins Chamber in advocating for
changes to how fuel tax exemption is currently granted to businesses, industries
and institutions in Ontario.
Currently tax is collected on fuel used in
licenced vehicles at a rate of 14.7 cents per
litre on gasoline and 14.3 cents per litre on
diesel fuel.
The tax is imposed to cover the costs of
maintaining the road network built by the
Ontario government and referred to as the
Queenís highway.
Story continued on Page 3
“Your End-to-End Computer Solutions Provider”
101 Cedar St. South
Timmins ON P4N 2G7
Tel: (705) 264-9484
Fax: (705) 264-0788
E-mail: support@rosspope.com
ROSS POPE INC.
Consultants
inside business
2 - MARCH 2009
Science & Technology minister meets
with Chamber Board of Directors
Timmins — On Friday, January 9, as part
of Gary Goodyear’s visit to Timmins, the
Federal Minister of Science & Technology
made his way to the Timmins Chamber of
Commerce to meet with representatives
from the Board of Directors.
While at the Chamber, Minister
Goodyear made it a point to hear the concerns brought forward by the Board on
behalf of the 750-plus members of the
chamber of commerce, to learn more about
the issues facing businesses in the northeastern Ontario, and to understand the perspectives of northerners regarding how federal government could improve the ability
for people to do business in the north.
While the current economic state is a
concern for the Country, Minister
Goodyear expressed optimism that the
Canadian economy would get through
these times; in the mean time, the
Canadian government is looking to the
business community for their input as to
which federally-led strategies would help
the economy.
Board representatives freely shared a
number of issues with the Minister, including the need to:
• lower the cost of energy;
• align the federal government’s lien policies with those of the provinces;
• harmonize the federal and provincial
environmental assessment processes;
• make strategic investment in infrastruc-
Pictured above are Chamber Board Members with federal Science and Technology Minister Gary Goodyear. In the photo are (L-R): Board member Phil Barton, Science and Technology Minister
Gary Goodyear, Chamber President Rob Galloway, 1st Vice President Fred Gibbons and Board member Joel Bergeron. Pictured in front is Chamber Past President Marilyn Wood.
ture;
• instate a Timmins representative on
FedNor’s Ministerial Advisory Board.
Also discussed with Minister Goodyear
were the vast opportunities existing in the
north for “green” product initiatives, secondary value-added projects to make use of
locally-sourced natural resources, and the
benefits that could be leveraged by retrofitting unused commercial and industrial
buildings.
The Minister told the Chamber he would
transmit these messages to the federal government. He also stated the federal government’s pledge to reduce by 20% the government-induced administrative burden on
Canadian businesses.
Chamber President Rob Galloway, on
meeting with the Minister, said “We appreciate that Minister Goodyear took the time
to learn more about the issues facing businesses in northern Ontario.
BUSINESS
D I R E C T O RY
Federal Budget Addresses Key Economic Issues
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce is
responding positively to the federal budget
measures announced January 28.
In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Jim
Flaherty responded to a number of proposals
put forth by the Canadian Chamber of
Commerce network to mitigate the impact of
the recession and stimulate the economy,
including:
• Accelerating infrastructure spending;
• Providing greater access to credit for businesses;
• Offering tax relief for low- and modestincome Canadians;
• Providing incentives for new business
investment;
• Continuing the previously-announced corporate tax reductions;
• Strengthening labour adjustment programs and training for unemployed workers;
According to Timmins Chamber of
Commerce President Rob Galloway, the budget
is good news in the sense that it has positively
responded to many of the requests made by the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce on behalf of
its network.
“It is always a good thing when the government listens to what people and businesses are
saying. We are content with the measures the
government is putting in place will help to see
Published by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 985
Timmins, Ontario P4N 7H6
(705) 360-1900 Fax: (705) 360-1193
E-mail: krobson@timminschamber.on.ca
Website: www.timminschamber.on.ca
For
Editorial
Managing
Editor: Information
Keitha Robson
Call: Keitha Robson
(705) 360-1900
(705) 360-1900
E-mail:
krobson@timminschamber.on.ca
E-mail:
krobson@timminschamber.on.ca
Editor:
Heather
Chertow Information
For Advertising
and
Membership
Call:
Rae
(705)James
360-1900
(705) 360-1900
E-mail: hchertow@timminschamber.on.ca
E-mail: jrae@timminschamber.on.ca
“Inside Business” is an information
package provided to members of the
Timmins Chamber of Commerce and
businesses at large. The positions
expressed in by-lined columns are the
opinion of the subject editor and do not
reflect the position of the Timmins
Chamber
of
Commerce
unless
specifically
stated. The Timmins
Chamber of Commerce assumes no
responsibility for statements or claims
made by advertisers. “Inside Business” is
published 6 times per year by the
Timmins Chamber of Commerce. Issue
dates are January, March, May, July,
September and November. Closing date
is the second Friday of the previous
month. No part of this publication may
be reproduced without the publisher’s
written permission.
Canadians get through the global economic situation, but are concerned that some the strategies lack the exit strategy that will help Ontario
and Canada come out further ahead once the
recession ends and help see us through the
long-term.”
The Timmins Chamber applauds the budgetary measures to lessen some of the burden
faced by individual taxpayers, businesses and
municipalities. Infrastructure funding is muchneeded, however, the Timmins Chamber cautions that money must flow quickly and be easily accessed by municipalities in order to maximize its intended stimulus effect.
The budget contains a number of measures
that will benefit our region of Ontario.
“For businesses in northern Ontario, the federal government’s planned support of oneindustry towns and specific sectors, such as
forestry, is important and needed.”
Extensions to the flow-through shares program, one that helps companies raise capital for
mining exploration is one that will help mining companies. Galloway stated “We are also
interested in seeing how the planned economic development agency for southern Ontario
will take shape and what its implications are for
FedNor, the federal economic development
agency intended for northern Ontario.”
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the federal budget.
While many business issues are on a
national scale, many of the challenges and
obstacles faced by northern business owners differ from those of our southern counterparts.
“We are pleased that the Minister took
the time to hear about some of our concerns
as Canadians and our perspective as to how
the federal government can improve our
ability to conduct our businesses both within and beyond Canadian borders.”
“Since the meltdown in global financial markets last fall, we have called for a comprehensive
strategy to limit the impact of the recession on
Canada and to speed recovery. While there are
elements that we would have designed differently, the government has consulted extensively and has answered our request to show how it
thinks we can get our economy moving again.
In the interests of all Canadians, the plan
should be given a chance to work,” said
Chamber President and CEO Perrin Beatty.
The Canadian Chamber welcomed the
extensive budget consultations and engagement of the government, and how it took into
account the suggestions from the Chamber network across Canada. However, it noted that the
government’s projections for recovery are more
optimistic than most private-sector economic
forecasts, and it will closely monitor progress to
ensure that deficit financing does not become
permanent.
“Both the Throne Speech and the budget
announcement acknowledged that economic
conditions have deteriorated rapidly and that
the government needs to respond urgently.
While the next several months will be rough for
both families and businesses, and we will watch
carefully to ensure that Ottawa does not return
to long-term structural deficits, the fact that we
now have a clear strategy should help to restore
consumer and investor confidence over the
medium term. We believe it is an important
step forward,” said Mr. Beatty. Go to
www.chamber.ca to view the Canadian
Chamber’s budget analysis.
inside business
MARCH 2009 - 3
Chamber of Commerce presents budget
2009 recommendations to City Council
On Monday, January 19, Timmins
Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Sue
Gauthier and President Rob Galloway outlined the Chamber’s recommendations for
the city’s 2009 budget as part of the city’s
budget deputations.
Some of the items of note brought forth by
Gauthier and Galloway on behalf of the 750
businesses of the Chamber included:
• The need for a planned, concerted
approach to deal with the estimated $80100M infrastructure funding shortfall,
including the need to strategically identify
and leverage opportunities to fund longterm municipal development;
• The need to develop a prioritized infrastructure plan;
• Recommendation to the city to revisit its
2005 operational review to realize efficiencies
and other cost-saving opportunities;
• The benefits of long-term sustainability
planning to create the knowledge and
resources to best deal with the economic
highs and lows of northern Ontario;
• The need to limit services offered
through city to core services and to contract
services to the private sector where sound fiscal policy merits such action;
• Acknowledgement of the changes the
city has implemented to date, including
organizational restructuring.
Gauthier opened the presentation by
offering congratulations to council for the
city’s planned centennial celebrations. Also
noted were the economic extremes experienced by the city in 2008.
According to Gauthier, the city must plan,
manage expenditures and achieve efficiencies in all areas of operations to mitigate the
impacts on businesses and tax payers when
the economic climate changes.
Efficiently-run city operations mean lower
operational costs, which translate to a lesser
burden on tax payers.
The 2005 operational review identified a
number of strategies that council and administration could implement to realize operational cost-savings.
“We want to remind council what a valuable tool the operational review was and continues to be, and to encourage them to continue to implement its recommendations.
Lowering operational costs is a key way the
municipality can lessen the tax burden on
businesses and families in Timmins.”
The Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 budget
recommendations were developed through a
consultative process with the 750 member
businesses of the Chamber. Through surveying its membership, a common challenge
cited by member businesses was having to
deal with the economic highs and lows of the
northern economy.
According to Chamber President Rob
Galloway, “The municipality may have little
control over what takes place in the global
economic field, but what they do have control over is implementing the right strategies
that enable the municipality to respond
effectively to hard economic times — without putting an increased burden on the taxpayers and businesses.
“The Chamber’s goal is to do all it can to
make Timmins an attractive place in which
On Monday, January 19, Timmins Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Sue Gauthier and President Rob Galloway outlined the
Chamber’s recommendations for the city’s 2009 budget as part of the city’s budget deputations. Visit www.timminschamber.
on.ca/2009budget.pdf for a copy of the Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 budget presentation to City Council.
to live and do business. We are confident
that City Council shares our goal and will
give consideration to each and every one of
our recommendations.”
Visit www.timminschamber.on.ca/2009
budget.pdf for a copy of the Chamber of
Commerce’s 2009 budget presentation to
City Council.
Chamber suggests tax rebates for hauls partially completed off-road
Continued from Page 1
Equipment or vehicles operated off-road
by any business, industry or institution
entirely are not required to be licenced
under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
Vehicles meeting these criteria are exempt
from paying fuel tax by purchasing taxexempt (coloured) fuel. Vehicles are generally licenced for “mixed-road” hauls, since
they must travel both on and off-road.
However, because these vehicles are
licenced, they are not permitted to use taxexempt fuel. So when trucks haul resources,
such as ore to refineries and wood to mills
within the province, a significant portion of
fuel (estimated at 50% for forestry) is consumed while travelling on off-highway
access roads which are built and maintained
by the respective industries.
The Chamber is recommending that the
provincial government look at the available
technology, such as computerized tracking
Insurance &
Financial Services
o/b BMT Insurance Brokers Limited
devices or GPS units, to grant industries tax
rebates for the portion of the hauls that are
completed off-road.
In order to bolster the competitiveness of
our vast province, it is the Chamber’s position that more must be done to ensure our
businesses are fairly taxed.
Improving the way industrial vehicles are
granted fuel tax exemption for off-road
hauls is a very straightforward way in which
the province could achieve this.
Other
provinces, such as Alberta, employ a system
that provides a prescribed percent rebate for
fuel tax paid by industries hauling on
mixed-road hauls. In order for businesses to
avoid paying fuel tax under the current system, they would have to constantly licence
and un-licence their vehicles, and change
fuel types at every junction between the
Queen’s highway and an off-road segment
of the route, resulting in a highly inefficient
process.
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4 - MARCH 2008
inside business
Celebrating 60 years as the voice of business
The year 2009 brings with it a number of
significant celebrations taking place within
the City of Timmins.
For the Timmins Chamber of Commerce,
2009 is a landmark year: In June, the organization will celebrate its 60th anniversary
serving as The Voice of Business for Timmins.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce
originally formed in 1949, when a group of
six community-minded, local businessmen
joined together to advocate for the establishment of an airport to transport people and
goods to and from our region.
In 1950, one year after its formation, the
Chamber purchased a vacant piece of land in
the northern part of the city; just three short
years later, that same piece of land was sold to
the City of Timmins for the sum of $1.00.
By 1955, the City of Timmins used the
expanse of land to construct what is known
today as the Victor M. Power Airport.
The Chamber’s original mission statement
detailed “making a commitment to community and encouraging its growth by promoting business opportunities.”
While the statement’s words have evolved
somewhat, the original intent of the mission
statement continues to ring true today. Sixty
years later, the Chamber remains committed
to representing the interests of businesses
and business development within the community.
As the Chamber continues to grow, it also
continues to evolve as an organization:
Expanding its offerings to members and
adapting to the ever-changing needs of the
business community.
Since 1949, the Chamber has undertaken
and led many community-minded initiatives, including its well-known auxiliary
operations: The Licence Bureau (1956) and
the Tourism Information Centre (1958).
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce also
maintains a long-standing working relationship with the Corporation of the City
Timmins; in the past, the Chamber advocated for the establishment of such entities like
the Timmins Economic Development
Corporation.
Active committees remain a staple at the
Chamber. Committees comprise Chamber
members and volunteers who meet regularly
to develop, lead and guide Chamber initiatives. It is through committees that the
organization is able to accurately reflect the
needs and goals of its member businesses.
Examples of committee initiatives include
policy development, workshop and seminar
planning, member-recognition programs,
and member benefit programs.
“This is an important milestone
for the Chamber.”
— Rob Galloway
The Timmins Chamber is well-known for
its member-focused events, which take place
throughout the year. Annual events such as
the Curling Funspiel, Evening in Italy, the
Nova Business Excellence Awards and the
Chamber Golf Tournament are long-standing events that never fail to draw an abundance of member participation and community interest.
Chamber President Rob Galloway is proud
of the Chamber’s accomplishments.
“This is an important milestone for the
Chamber. To be trusted to serve the businesses of our community for sixty years is a fan-
tastic achievement and I am proud to be a
part of this wonderful organization.”
As for the key to the Chamber’s success,
Mr. Galloway states that having an engaged
membership base is paramount.
“We have a great membership and fantastic volunteers. Our members are what
empower us to be an organization that can
continually evolve, so that we may accurately represent views of our member businesses
and work accordingly to meet their needs.”
Throughout 2009, many Chamber events
will pay tribute to the organization’s illustrious history. All Chamber members and interested members of the public are encouraged
to take the time to learn more about the
Chamber and its role in the development of
our city.
For a brief historical timeline of the
Timmins Chamber of Commerce, visit
www.timminschamber.on.ca/AboutUs/Cha
mberHistory.pdf.
Each week, Chamber Inside and the website are to feature a historic article about the
Timmins Chamber of Commerce. To view
these articles online, visit www.timminschamber.on.ca/HistoricalArticles.htm.
inside business
MARCH 2009 - 5
Branding expert creatively
inspires Chamber members
On Thursday, January 29, International
Branding Coach Gerry Visca, a top motivational and creative speaker, lead members
of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce
through his Redchair Branding boot camp.
Held at the Days Inn & Conference
Centre, the morning was sponsored by The
Venture Centre and The Business
Enterprise Centre and focused on providing business owners and managers with
strategies and tools to help them to creative with their businesses.
The boot camp is tailored to current
business professionals and entrepreneurs
with a business plan and is filled with content and advice on the power of marketing,
branding and creativity.
We all have dreams, a vision and goals
for our lives. It’s one thing to merely let
them exist as thoughts, but it’s quite
another to take action and bring them into
being.
Through his boot camps and other
engagements, Gerry Visca inspires,
informs and illuminates audiences, to take
action. He motivates you to create your
desired personal and business life. His
energy, credibility, fresh content and
advice on the power of marketing, branding and creativity has sparked rave reviews
from international audiences.
Gerry is known to companies and audiences as a creative leader and innovator.
Fortune 500 CEOs and senior executives
call upon Gerry to creatively facilitate large
team initiatives in order to draw out the
best creative solutions from their teams.
An award-winning creative director,
Gerry has made several television appearances as a Branding Expert on CBC’s
Fortune Hunters.
He is known for his unique approach
that is dynamic, high-energy and highly
interactive with his audiences and for his
ability to engage audiences with practical
and inspiring content in the areas of
branding, marketing, presentation, technology and personal development.
In Gerry’s key-notes, he immerses himself and engages the audience with fresh,
Ontario’s first
diamond mine
Officially opened on July 26, 2008, the
Victor Mine represents the culmination of
two decades of exploration, development
and construction in a remote region of
northern Ontario. The people and
businesses of Timmins played a significant
role in that success.
De Beers Canada is a proud member of the
Timmins Chamber of Commerce.
www.debeerscanada.com
dynamic content and case studies.
He draws from his unique training as an
architect and creatively illustrates parallels
with branding, marketing, presentation
and personal development.
Gerry Visca, along with other world class
speakers, are hosting “The Big Think” with
the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
The two-day event takes place in Toronto
on March 27-28.
For information or to register for the
event, visit www.occ.on.ca.
Speaker and branding expert Gerry Visca (seated, left) took
the time to meet with boot camp participants after his
January 29 Branding Boot Camp for Your Business. Gerry
also signed copies of his new book “Get (Creative)”, which
guides readers through the creative process.
Achieving your
business goals
Many of us have contemplated the possibility of starting our own business.
Whether offering services or products,
growing into a large operation or maintaining a boutique, there are many opportunities to harness your entrepreneurial spirit.
There are numerous pay-offs associated
with “being your own boss.”
Starting and successfully running your
own business also requires perseverance,
dedication and plain hard work. When
done correctly, the financial, professional
and personal rewards can be limitless.
A common concern we hear from our
entrepreneurial Chamber members is the
difficulty they face accessing financing for
their businesses.
The Federal Government’s recently
announced financial measures, such as $5
billion to a new Business Credit Availability
Program and increasing the loan limit for
small businesses under the Canada Small
Business Financing Program, may help a
new crop of entrepreneurs get into or stay in
business.
However, there are a number of controllable measures that current and wannabe
entrepreneurs can leverage in order to grow
a business dream into a reality.
• Start early — make sure you are always
thinking and planning ahead. Since loan
applications take time to be processed, it
may mean that you should begin planning
for growth sooner than you think.
• Check out your credit report — this will
let you know where you stand in the world
of credit and allow you to identify any
weaknesses in your credit history. Be prepared to be honest in explaining any questionable areas and demonstrating how circumstances have changed in order to prevent history from repeating itself.
• Develop a sound business plan — put it
down on paper. If you do not have a business plan that clearly communicates your
business, including cash-flow projections,
there are a number of resources to help. The
Business Enterprise Centre at the Timmins
Economic Development Corporation can
provide assistance to individuals wishing to
develop and improve upon their business
plans. Alternatively, there are online tools,
including the (free) Interactive Business
Planner from Industry Canada, which will
take you step-by-step through the process.
• Investigate all legitimate lending
sources — big or small, lending institutions
all have a variety of criteria and investment
areas of specialty. Checking out your available options can help you determine which
financial institution can best meet the
needs of your business.
• Invest your own money — showing
that you are serious enough about growing
your business to invest your own money in
its success is key. Generally a minimum of
25% will show lenders you are serious and
invested in the business.
• Know what you need the financing for
— the more specific you can be, the better.
From equipment, suppliers and prices, the
more information you can provide shows
not only your preparation but allows
lenders to clearly know what you will be
spending on. Lenders generally prefer that
you invest in assets that will work to make
your business money, so choosing to do
things like renting a facility (instead of buying) can work to your advantage.
• Show your banker you know your business — explaining your industry-specific
knowledge not only educates your potential lender about your field, but also
demonstrates your know-how and expertise.
• Persevere — you have an idea that you
know is great. Simply put, don’t give up at
the first sign of rejection. Trust in your ideas
and ability to create a fantastic business.
The 750 members of the Timmins
Chamber of Commerce are living their
business dream. Why not you?
inside business
6 - MARCH 2009
TICKET ORDER FORM
THE TIMMINS CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE PRESENTS
‘09
AWARDS
www.timminschamber.on.ca
Inside
Their
Business
You are cordially invited to the 2009 Nova Awards proudly presented by
the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.
These awards recognize Timmins & area businesses that have achieved
a level of business excellence that merits special recognition.
Please join us as our business stars come out to shine!
Date:
Venue:
Attire:
Thursday, April 16th and 2009
McIntyre Arena, Schumacher
Business
7:00PM
8:00PM
9:30PM
Reception – hosted by
Awards Presentation
Post Awards Celebration – hosted by
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Time: Registration at 11:30 am
Lunch buffet at 11:45 am
Keynote address at 12:20 pm
Location: Porcupine Dante Club, 162 Cedar Street South, Timmins
Cost: $25 member (including GST)
Yes! I will attend the 2009 Nova Awards
Please reserve
Paul Martin, CA
Chief Financial Officer
ticket(s) at $60 + $3.00 GST (member rate)
ticket(s) at $70 + $3.50 GST (future member rate)
Tables for the Awards Presentation seat 10. This event is reserved seating, please indicate which
other groups you would like to be seated with if your group is less than 10 (if any):
Contact Name:
Business Name:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Method of Payment: __Visa
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Payable to Timmins
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Cardholder’s Name:
Mr. Martin is a mining finance executive
withovertwentyyearsexperience,thelast
seventeen years directly focused on
Canadianandinternationalpreciousmetals
mining and exploration. He most recently
served as the CFO and VP of Finance for
NewGoldInc.,whichisduallylistedonthe
TSX and AMEX exchanges, as well as held
various senior corporate finance positions
with Gabriel Resources (TSX), European
Goldfields (TSXͲV), TVX Gold (TSX and
NYSE), LAC Minerals (TSX and NYSE) and
WestminerCanadaasubsidiaryofWestern
MiningCorporationinAustralia.Mr.Martin
is also a member of the Board of Directors
ofContinentalNickelLimited.Mr.Martinis
aCharteredAccountant(CA)andreceiveda
B. A. from the University of Western
Ontarioin1984.
This event brought to you by:
Cardholder’s Signature:
$40 future member (including GST)
Join us at the Timmins Chamber of Commerce Inside Their Business
series as we learn about Detour Gold’s plans to advance one of
Canada’s largest undeveloped gold resources towards development.
Detour Lake is part of the, relatively under-explored, Abitibi
Greenstone Belt in northeastern Ontario. Detour Lake is located
roughly 240km from Timmins, Ontario and 150km from Cochrane. It is
targeting gold production by 2012. Find out how this project will
affect business in Timmins.
Registration:
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Company:............................................................Email: ..............................................
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requestsinthespacebelow.
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Phone (705) 360-1900 for more information.
Please fax registration form to (705) 360-1193 or email us at info@timminschamber.on.ca
Full refunds are only provided for cancellations prior to April 9, 2009. Substitutions are permitted.
Timmins Chamber of Commerce
La Chambre de commerce de Timmins
Open House
Timmins Chamber of Commerce
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24
inside business
The winner of the coveted Silver Broom went to Team Emily Millson, whose members are pictured above. Members of the
team were (left to right): Marty Paul, Emily Millson, Erin Rathbone and Rene Morin.
MARCH 2009 - 7
Pictured above is Team RBC, one of many teams that participated in the Chamber’s annual Curling Funspiel. Next year’s
event will take place on January 23.
Chamber curling funspiel a sweeping success
Kung Hei Fat Choy, or, Happy Chinese
New Year!
That was the theme of this year’s
Timmins Chamber of Commerce Annual
Curling Funspiel, held at the McIntyre
Curling Club on Saturday, January 24.
Over 85 chamber members participated
in a fun-filled evening of curling and prizes,
while feasting on a Chinese food buffet in
between games.
Other big winners of the evening were
Michaela Schieri of DeBeers, who won the
Door Prize and Team Emily Millson, who
won the curling portion of the Funspiel.
Most participants dressed in red to celebrate the Chinese New Year theme, and the
team that won “Best Dressed” prize was
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ltd., whose members were dressed in red from head to toe.
Other Winners included: Carol Sweezey
of ClaimPost Realty had the best guess in
the “Jar of Rice” game; Jillian Wood, with
team DeBeers Canada Victor Diamond
Mine, won a prize for correctly answering
Useful Tax Tips
Melanie Hansman, Chartered Accountant with Ross, Pope and Company, hosted a Lunch N’ Learn for Timmins Chamber of
Commerce members on Wednesday, January 14. The session was well attended and treated members to an informative
presentation. “How to get cash out of your small business” featured useful tax tips, including the ins and outs of tax
deductions for home-based businesses, the pros and cons to incorporating your business, retirement and succession
planning for your business.
the Chinese Trivia questionnaire; Aysenur
Urso of team Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ltd.
won the Hog Pot draw.
A special thanks to all the participating
teams: Millson Forestry Service, Ontario
Power Generation, Spruce Hill Lodge, Trade
Northern Ontario, Xstrata Copper,
Goldcorp — Porcupine Gold Mines, ProTackle Company, Ministry of Natural
Resources, the City of Timmins, Galloway
and galloway Executive Services, Western
Auto Sales, BDC and RBC Royal Bank.
The Chamber’s organizing committee
consisted of Lori Murphy, Sue Millson and
Rob Galloway along with event assistance
from Fred Barabas, Past President.
The organizing committee extends its
thanks to the member sponsors: Xstrata
Copper, DeBeers Canada Victor Diamond
Mine and RBC Royal Bank for helping to
make this year’s Funspiel a successful
event.
Mark your calendar for next year’s event:
January 23, 2010.
For The Health Of It
Executive Director of the Timmins Family Health Team, Joy Galloway, addressed Timmins Chamber members during a
Lunch N’ Learn on Monday, January 19. Chamber members were treated to an informative presentation about the services
the Timmins Family Health Team provides. The Timmins Family Health Team works to ensure that all Timmins residents
have access to primary medical care by striving to improve the health and quality of life for area residents, lowering
patient waiting times and maintaining one wait list for primary care.
8 - MARCH 2009
inside business
JANUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Spruce Hill Lodge takes honours for January
Spruce Hill Lodge has been named the
Timmins Chamber of Commerce Member of
the Month for January.
Nestled on a hill top with a serene surrounding of trees and fields, Spruce Hill
Lodge is the ideal location for providing
independent living to seniors. Before opening its doors as a senior’s residence in June
1998, the building originally functioned as a
hospital. When the hospital’s services were
transferred to the newly built Timmins and
District Hospital, the building was slated to
be destroyed. However, the visionary leadership of a few key volunteers recognized the
building’s value, and rallied to stop the demolition in order to save the facility and begin
the only non-profit residential facility for
seniors in Northeastern Ontario.
Since the original building came fully
equipped with the necessary amenities for
residents, it provided an ideal housing facility
to meet the needs of seniors. The organization has realized phenomenal growth since
its inception. In its first two years of operation, Spruce Hill Lodge was run strictly on a
volunteer-basis and had just three residents.
Today, Spruce Hill Lodge has grown to accommodate fifty-three residents and a paid, fulltime staff of nineteen to provide residents
with meals, housekeeping and laundry services. In addition to offering meals and laundry services, residents also enjoy such things
Timmins Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Communications Committee Chair Art Pultz and President Rob Galloway presented Spruce Hill Lodge with the Member of the Month Award for January. Accepting the award on behalf of Spruce Hill
Lodge are Administrator Devon Prevost and Board Member Fred Barabas.
as full access to a games room, a church /
chapel room, a lounge and a weekly bus service to the Porcupine Mall, to name a few.
Devon Prevost has been one of the
Administrators of Spruce Hill Lodge since
2006. When speaking of Spruce Hill Lodge
staff and volunteers, Prevost stated, “As an
organization that began through the work of
volunteers, we continue to rely on our dedi-
cated volunteer base and highly skilled staff.
It is because of this steady commitment that
we are able to meet so many milestones and
accomplishments.”
In addition to its growth in staff and capacity, Devon is pleased with the cosmetic progression the building has made in the past
couple of years as well. “With a building as
historic as this one, there are going to be sur-
face issues we have to deal with. Some things
have been in need of upgrading for quite a
while, so just within the past six months, we
have re-painted, added retro-fit lighting and
completed room renovations.î
Some of the bigger challenges facing
Spruce Hill Lodge are not only related to physical infrastructure, but also in its ability to
meet capital demands. According to Prevost,
“We try to meet these demands through volunteer and fundraising activities. We have
also just recently completed constructed two
new rooms, that have since been filled, so if
ever we want to expand, we face the challenge
of finding or creating a larger facility.”
As for future plans, Prevost is proud of the
organization’s continuous growth and success realized to date, and foresees that it will
continue to thrive. “As a non-profit senior’s
residence, we are an asset to any community,
and we proudly serve ours to the best of our
ability,” he stated. “We will be celebrating our
10th anniversary this coming June, and we
look forward to continuing to offer our residents a safe, secure and nurturing environment.” With every room occupied, it seems
as though residents of the Spruce Hill Lodge
couldn’t agree more.
You can reach Spruce Hill Lodge by telephone (705)235-8200; by fax (705)235-7500
or visit them online at www.sprucehilllodge.org.
FEBRUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Praztek named February’s member of the month
Congratulations to Praztek Construction
on being named the Timmins Chamber of
Commerce Member of the Month for
February.
Most people dream of the day when they
finally have their own, comfortable place to
call home. Whether your dream home is
large or small, or an older house in need of
upgrading, Praztek Construction can make
your real estate dreams a reality. As custom
home designers, builders, renovators and
general contractors, Praztek Construction
guarantees great craftsmanship and service
with a smile.
Praztek Construction has been in the business of commercial and residential development for the past four-and-a-half years. Pete
Beaucage, owner of Praztek Construction,
said it was an easy decision to get involved in
the construction industry because it runs in
the family.
“My grandfather and father were both in
the contracting profession. I’ve grown up
around it and I am a third-generation home
builder.”
Along with its four years of meeting the
needs of current and prospective homeowners in Timmins and area, Praztek
Construction is also Tarion-certified. Tarion
Warranty Corporation is the regulating body
of all new-home builders in Ontario. Tarion
Warranty Corporation has been given the
rights by the Ontario government to ensure
that all new-home builders adhere to set
Timmins Chamber of Commerce President Rob Galloway (left) and Marketing and Communications Committee Chair Art Pultz
(right) congratulate Pete Beaucage (centre) of Praztek Construction for being named February's Member of the Month.
provincial standards and that new home
owners receive the warranty coverage to
which they are legally entitled. The Tarion
Warranty covers newly built homes for seven
years and only Tarion-certified companies
are allowed to build new homes in the
province.
Along with many of its successes, Praztek
has recently undergone an expansion, result-
ing in broadened services, now providing
both concrete forming and pouring.
With the expansion, three full-time
employees were added to the Praztek roster,
bringing the full-time (all-season) staff complement to eight.
When asked about staffing needs,
Beaucage said, “We are much busier in the
summer months, so I usually have about ten
employees working with me.
“However, during the off-months, work
slows down somewhat, and generally I cut
the staff back to the same five employees that
have been with me for the past three and-ahalf years.”
Naturally, the northern Ontario winter
has a tendency to impact the construction
industry. Praztek is no exception, and
Beaucage pinpoints that as one of his toughest challenges.
“The winter months are brutal. Everything
takes about two or three times longer to complete, resulting in slower building times and
higher production costs.”
However, long, cold winter months do not
stop Praztek from providing quality service
all year long, and Beaucage remains optimistic about the future.
“We do hope to expand into more home
production. The market might be slow now,
but we are always prepared for that and must
keep looking forward.”
Although Beaucage is proud of how far the
company has come, he insists that his biggest
accomplishments are found in what he gives
back to his clients.
“What keeps us motivated is the satisfaction we can provide for our customers. I
enjoy making the dreams of homeowners a
possibility.”
You can reach Praztek Construction by telephone (705)264-7729, by fax (705)268-8165 or
visit them online at www.praztek.com.
inside business
MARCH 2009 - 9
New member profiles
Senshine Glow Products
and Fireworks
AMUSEMENT
Senshine Glow Products and Fireworks is
your headquarters for Glow products/L.E.D
products and fireworks. We strive to deliver
quality products and above all, excellent customer service. We carry a wide range of products, from 6-inch glow sticks to battery operated rainbow necklaces. And don’t forget about
our BANGING effects (fireworks). Choose from
any of our quality family fireworks shells, from
5 Ball Roman Candles to 100 shot cake types
like Phantom Wars & Monster Mash. You will
be hooked on PYRO and your crowd will be,
too!
Senshine Fireworks carries the best selection
of Fireworks in Canada, so log on to our website
today at www.senshineglowproducts.com.
Dan’s Recovery and
Towing Service
TOWING SERVICES
Dan Bouffard has been in business since
1993, but has been servicing Timmins and its
surrounding area since 1984. Our primary
joy is servicing all our previous, present and
future customers. All drivers at Dan’s
Recovery and Towing Service are
Wreckmaster Certified, and are members of
all major autoclubs, such as CAA, PDG,
SYKES, Home & Auto, etc. Additionally, our
services include boosts, lockouts, tows, tire
changes, winching, accidents, etc. We are
able to perform mechanical inspections and
provide service to all major dealerships in
Timmins. To get in touch with us, please call
Murielle at (705) 268-7713 or 1-888-5128697.
Cheap Skates Etc. /
Enterprises Christine
Deslauriers
SPORTING GOODS STORES
We are a Canadian Skatewear Store, and
Your Local Figure Skating Shop, Worldwide.
We proudly offer quality figure skating products manufactured in North America such as:
Mondor, Jerry's, Rebel Skatewear, Sharene,
Imperial Sportswear, Quad Club Skatewear,
Podium,
Stanford
Style,
Twizzles
International Design, and Duck Crossing. If
you would like to know more about us and
see how we have served over 4,100 happy
customers in over 53 countries, visit our
online stores on Ebay at http://stores.ebay.ca/
Cheap-Skates-Etc. We have a showroom in
Porcupine where figure skaters can see and
try our products, so call us toll free at 1-888LUV-2SK8 or 1-888-588-2758.
liest service. We strive to offer our clients a
unique experience, stress-free sales and service. All jobs completed at our facility are overseen by the owner and every job completed is
satisfaction guaranteed.
Filter Flush offers cleaning and reconditioning of bag and cartridge filters. We utilize
the latest industry technology to make your
filters as good as new. Save yourself the cost of
new filters by getting them restored — at a
fraction of the cost. Further, protect your
equipment with fresh filters at your disposal.
We carry all the top brands, which makes us
the source for all your filtration and exhaust
needs. Please feel free to contact us at (705)
268-4567 or visit our website at www.filterflush.com
Solentrics
RETAIL
We specialise in Solar Energy Electric
Systems and our services include solar equipment sales, service and installations. Cottage,
home, off-grid or grid tie systems, we can do
it all.
We are also distributors for AEE Solar, SunLink solar tracker, windmill generators, solar
water heaters and custom generator starters.
We can design a system for any application
with professional, ESA approved installation. We offer 24 hour on call service for
homes off grid, please contact Richard at
(705) 465-0874 or visit us online at
www.solentrics.ca.
www.timminschamber.on.ca
Filter Flush Cleaning
Services
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIERS
Filter Flush takes a personal interest in the
satisfaction of every one of our clients. Our
goal at Filter Flush is to bring you the best
prices, the proper guidance and the friend-
M.O.E. COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTING
Professional Bookkeeping • Personal & Business Tax Returns
M.O.E. = Profits
204-670 Airport Road, Timmins
Phone: 268-4474 • Fax: 264-0011
Maurice E. Proulx email: taxman@onlink.net
National Car Rental
A lot of
choices...
National Car Rental congratulates the
Chamber of Commerce for providing
excellent service to the business community.
p
p
Timmins
470 Algonquin blvd E.
268-3456
• Competitive daily, weekly and monthly rates
• Special weekend packages • Minibuses
• Insurance replacement vehicle program
• Customer pick-up and return in service area
Airport
264-2237
For reservations 1-800-CAR-RENT (1-800-227-7368)
www.national car.com
320 Second Avenue
Timmins, ON
P4N 1A8
(705) 360-2623
extension 8537
10 - MARCH 2009
inside business
Chamber’s advocacy efforts
To join the
ensure paper policy fair for all Timmins Chamber of Commerce,
The Province of Ontario has amended its
paper purchasing policy to provide a fairer
policy for forestry companies.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce
advocated for these changes and the Ontario
government has addressed our concerns.
The amended procurement policy requires
100% of all virgin bulk paper purchased by
Ontario government ministries and select
agencies be sourced from companies certified
by any one of three internationally recognized certification standards: Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable
Forestry Initiative (SFI) or the Canadian
Standards Association (CSA), with at least
30% of all virgin bulk paper acquired being
FSC certified.
In its original form, the paper purchasing
policy gave exclusive preference to FSC-certified companies.
In 2004, David Ramsay, then Minister of
Natural Resources (MNR), announced that
by the end of 2007, all Ontario forest companies operating under sustainable forest
licenses would require third-party certification, verifying that the company uses sustainable forest management processes.
Under these new rules, certification could
be completed by any one of any of three
internationally recognized certification
processes: FSC, SFI or CSA.
In 2007, nearing the time by which companies were required to have completed certification, the Ministry of Government
Services (the ministry responsible for purchasing goods used by the Ontario government) announced a paper procurement policy that would give preference to one certification standard (FSC) over the other two.
The policy stated that 30% of all paper purchased by the Ontario government must
come from FSC-certified companies only,
increasing to 50% by 2012.
Not only was this policy a direct contradiction to the policy of the Ministry of Natural
Resources, it also insinuated that the SFI or
CSA certification processes were somehow
inferior, or did not result in sustainable
forestry practices.
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce,
supported by the Ontario Chamber of
Commerce, called on the Ontario government to amend the contradictory procurement policy, recommending instead that the
government adopt a policy requiring paper
be supplied from forests certified by any one
of the three standards previously endorsed
by the MNR.
To view the original policy, visit www.timminschamber.on.ca/policies.htm.
please call 360-1900
SUPER CITY CLEANING SYSTEMS
Automotive high pressure
hot extraction cleaning
and detailing services
AUTO DETAILING SPECIALIST
Immediate First Aid can make the difference between
complete recovery and permanent disability.
More than 90% of all injuries are predictable,
understandable, and preventable.
The Canadian Red Cross is WS&IB recognized
and offers public and workplace training.
Canadian Red Cross
Croix-Rouge canadienne
For more information contact:
The Canadian Red Cross, 60 Wilson Ave., Ste. 201 • Timmins
Phone 267-4900
•
Fax 268-6388
OFFICE SOLUTIONS, WELL-EMPLOYED
PUT OUR PRODUCTS & SERVICES TO WORK FOR YOU!
For a full list of office solutions check out
425 Algonquin Blvd. East 268-3000
inside business
MARCH 2009 - 11
March known as
Fraud Prevention Month
March is known as “Fraud Prevention
Month” for businesses and individuals.
Technology has given businesses and individuals the benefit of increased convenience;
however that convenience does come with a
certain amount of risk.
From a business sense, technology has
made trading and business procedures faster
and in some ways, more secure.
Goods and services can reach a limitless
market through the internet. Credit and
debit card machines have given a new meaning to the word “handy” and have enabled a
large segment of the population to become
“cash-less.”
Personal digital assistants, such as the
Blackberry, have become the modern day
briefcase. But with all the ways that technology has advanced our business lives, we also
must be aware that there are fraudsters who
can adapt themselves just as quickly and find
new ways of stealing our sense of security.
•••
Preventing Business Fraud
As a business owner, then, what can you do
to prevent your company from becoming a
victim of fraud?
According to an online resource guide for
entrepreneurs, Gaebler.com, the first step is
to know who you are hiring.
Obtaining and verifying background
information, education information, criminal information and employment history is
relatively easy to do and can tell you a lot
about a person.
Also, insisting on references and following
up with them should be a major part of the
selection process.
Another fraud prevention tip from TD
Banknorth is to password protect everything
— from desktop computers to laptops to
voicemail messages. Further, never write
your passwords in a place where they can be
openly read.
Being diligent in keeping up-to-date with
the latest in anti-spyware, anti-virus programs and putting up firewalls can prevent
hackers from obtaining pertinent business
information.
Educating your staff on fraud prevention
strategies can be vital.
Maintaining current virus updates, running regular computer scans and updating
software helps secure your business infrastructure.
Educating staff to recognize and not open
emails, attachments and links from
unknown or suspicious sources further protects your private business information.
With respect to you businessí finances, try
to be mindful of the delegation of duties.
For example, instead of allowing one
employee to authorize, record and process all
financial transactions, split up the responsibilities to avoid unknown embezzlement.
You can take this one step further and limit
the control and access each employee has to
sensitive information.
A tip that both TD Banknorth and
Gaebler.com stress is the completion of regular audits. Ensure external audits are performed once per year, but also conduct
scheduled and unscheduled internal audits,
to ensure that the books and the actual numbers coincide.
Keeping a consecutive numbering system
on all paperwork, including checks and
invoices, can eliminate lost or missing pieces
of information, as well.
If you are a small-business owner that does
not have the manpower to disperse accounting responsibilities, consider taking the time
to personally review your incoming and outgoing account balances.
TD Banknorth advises small-business
owners to personally sign payroll cheques,
(do not rely on a rubber stamp with your signature on it) and never sign blank cheques. If
possible, requiring the signature of two people for cheques that are over a certain
amount is a responsible practice as well.
In addition to business fraud, identity
fraud has become an unfortunate reality.
With customers routinely using debit and
credit over cash, it is easy to see how identity
fraud manifests itself through dishonest customers.
In 2007, over 1.7 million Canadians were
victims of identity fraud involving unauthorized debit and credit card purchases.
There are millions of dollars lost by businesses each year to fraudulent behaviour.
The bottom line is that with each new technology and all the good it brings, the stark
reality is that fraudsters may find a way to
misuse it.
Like identity fraud, business fraud has terrible consequences. Check your credit history regularly to ensure that you are the only
one accessing your information.
Implementing appropriate measures to
prevent business fraud are important to protect your business and secure its future in a
rapidly changing, technology driven world.
A CIBC Visa credit card, digitally altered so as not to reveal the cardholder’s name or credit card number, shows a computer chip under the CIBC logo that makes purchases more secure.
Chip card technology gradually
making its way to Canada
The next evolution in fraud security is
here: The smart card, or chip card, is a credit or debit card that contains an embedded
computer chip.
It is designed to make sales and purchases
more secure. Microchips imprinted into
debit and credit cards have the ability to
store more information than the traditional
magnetic strip. Since information is stored
in the card-imbedded chip, (instead of in the
magnetic strip), copying or changing information is more difficult, providing extra
security against lost or stolen cards. Smart
cards and chip-ready technology is gradually being introduced to Canadian consumers
and merchants by banks and credit
providers.
Minimal changes for merchants
Businesses will require chip-ready point
of sale (POS) terminals that accept both
magnetic-strip cards and smart cards for the
transitional period. Chip-ready POS terminals do not result in a noticeable difference
in the purchaser’s experience. The payment
terminal, or chip reader, will prompt the
customer through the transaction. The
debit or credit card remains in the chip reader for the duration of the sale, instead of the
former “swiping” step required by magnetic
strip-cards. All chip-containing cards
require a PIN number for authorization,
including credit cards. When the transaction is complete, the POS terminal will indicate to the salesperson whether the customer’s signature is required. This can cut
down on fraudulent purchases and card
misuse.
Streamlining debit and credit card pur-
chases will make for a simpler, faster and
more enjoyable experience for both customer and merchant.
Transitional period
Chip-ready POS terminals are still
equipped with the magnetized swiping
option, in order to serve customers who
have yet to make the switch to chip cards.
Likewise, smart cards will continue to contain the familiar magnetized strip for those
merchants who have not yet upgraded their
POS terminals. Chip technology has been
implemented in the United Kingdom and
the United States. Most Canadian banks
and credit card providers currently offer
their clients the smart card option and it
will be completely implemented by 2010 or
2011.
Merchants are encouraged to check with
their POS terminal providers, as some may
be paying extra for not having the updated,
chip ready terminal.
Upgrading is recommended because
most terminal providers will upgrade the
machine at no extra cost to the merchant (it
is important to first check with your service
provider as to whether there are any fees
associated with the upgrade).
Members of the Timmins Chamber of
Commerce currently taking advantage of
the TD First Data Merchant Services Plan
can upgrade their POS terminals free of
charge. TD First Data is in the process of
contacting merchants to make them aware
of this opportunity.
There is still time for merchants and consumers to make the switch to chip technology and enjoy a little extra security.
Come See Us! • Venez nous voir!! - Business Counselling & Financing • Conseils aux entreprises et financement
The Venture Centre
Le Centre de développement
A Community Future Development Corporation
Une Societè d’aide au développement des collectivités
134-38 Pine St. N. Suite 134-38 rue Pine N. bureau 134 • Timmins ON P4N 6K6 • Tel/Tél: 705-360-5800 • Téléc 705-360-5656 www.venturecentre.on.ca