Saint John Board of Trade to host event with Premier David Alward and Maine Governor Paul LePage

As part of its commitment to fostering relationships between businesses and the community, the Saint John Board of Trade is hosting its first ever, cross-border business event. The inaugural N2 International Exchange Forum, being held Thursday, October 25 at Lily Lake Pavilion, will mark the first time a New Brunswick Premier and Maine Governor have sat down for a public discussion on business sector opportunities.


“New Brunswick has always shared a unique connection with the New England states,” says Saint John Board of Trade President Imelda Gilman. “Saint John was originally founded on its cross-border relationships. We believe it is time to have a 21st Century discussion about the business and energy opportunities for the Province of New Brunswick and the State of Maine as a region.”

The Saint John Board of Trade and MT&L Public Relations partnered to create N2 International Exchange Forum to leverage and celebrate New Brunswick’s strategic geographical proximity to the New England States.

“We are thrilled that our Premier and the Governor of Maine will be in Saint John to kick-off the forum as the keynote speakers at the luncheon,” adds Gilman. “The interest from our business and sector leaders already has been really encouraging. Our local Saint John community and our counterparts across the border are dialed in to this event, and to renewing this working relationship that we share.”

Participants are invited to attend the luncheon with the Premier and Governor at Lily Lake with the option to also participate in one of two forums in the afternoon - Energy: A Regional Perspective for Maine and the Maritimes or Expanding Your Markets: Innovation and Expansion.

The event concludes with a networking mixer for the 25th Anniversary of Saint John and Bangor’s Sister City relationship with Saint John Mayor Mel Norton and Bangor Mayor Cary Weston and Access Atlantica Co-Chairs Nancy Thorne and Miles Theeman.

To find out more event details and register online visit www.n2exchange.com, or contact the Saint John Board of Trade office at (506) 634-8111 or by emailing info@sjboardoftrade.com. To get involved in the conversation before the Forum, join the LinkedIn group New Brunswick New England International Exchange Forum.

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Media Contact: Imelda Gilman, President, Saint John Board of Trade, igilman@SJBoardofTrade.com, 506.634.4157

Thursday, October 25, 2012 – 12 pm Lily Lake Pavillon

Luncheon kick-off: Cross-BorderConversation

Keynote Speakers:
Premier David Alward, Province of New Brunswick
Governor Paul LePage, State of Maine

Afternoon Forum Session Details:

Energy: A Regional Perspective for Maine and the Maritimes - 2 pm Lily Lake Pavillon:
Panellists:

Gaëtan Thomas, President & CEO, NB Power; Mike Whalen, General Manager, Marketing, Business Development & Regulatory Affairs, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline; Kenneth Fletcher, Director, Governor's Energy Office; Gerry Chasse, P.Eng., President & COO, Bangor Hydro Electric Company and Maine Public Service Company; and , Christopher Huskilson, President & CEO, Emera Inc.

Moderator: John Herron, President, Atlantica Centre for Energy

Expanding Your Markets: Innovation and Expansion - 2 pm Union Club
Panellists:

John Voltz, Executive Director, Blackstone Accelerates Growth; Karina LeBlanc, Executive Director, Pond-Deshpande Centre at the University of New Brunswick; Matthew Raynes, Shareholder, Eaton Peabody and Christopher Stewart, Partner, Stewart McKelvey, Immigration: Cross-Border Hiring and Working.

Moderator: John Holden, Development Consultant, Eaton Peabody


About the Saint John Board of Trade

The Saint John Board of Trade is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community. With more than 1,000 members, representing 600 small, medium, and large businesses and organizations and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.

About MT&L Public Relations

MT&L Public Relations is a communications firm in Atlantic Canada with offices in Saint John, Halifax and St. John’s. MT&L is a partner with NATIONAL Public Relations, with offices across Canada, US and Europe. To find out more about MT&L Public Relations visit www.mtlpr.ca.

Saint John Board of Trade announces recipient of 2012 “Chair’s Award”

Larry Hachey, Chairman of the Saint John Board of Trade is pleased to announce his choice for the 2012 “Chair’s Award” to be presented at the 28th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards dinner on Wednesday, October 3rd at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.

The Chair’s Award was established in 1993 to recognize a company, or individual, who has demonstrated a particular excellence or achievement in a certain aspect of their business, having made either an immediate impact on or a substantial long-term contribution to the economic progress of our community.

“I am excited to be presenting the award this year to Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada Inc. (CCSAC)” said Mr. Hachey. “CCSAC is a non-profit organization that has been changing lives, giving back to the community and along the way, has become a great employer and standard bearer for serviced based companies. My choice was an easy one.”

Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada is a non-profit community service dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering consumers by providing guidance in solving debt problems through financial counselling, education and debt repayment programs.

Established in 1994, CCSAC began as a one-office, one-employee organization. John Eisner was hired as the first credit counsellor and his belief in the mission has never wavered. John and co-founder Bill Gale believed in the need for this service in Saint John and enlisted Roly McIntyre and Kit Payn, to name a few, to make up the first board of directors. To ensure sustainability during lean times, the early years saw the agency seek donations of postage and furniture and whatever else it took to make it to the next month.

Eventually hard work, word of mouth and consumer demand ensured the continued growth and success of the business. Under the direction of President John Eisner, the agency has grown to ten offices throughout Atlantic Canada and a staff of twenty-five. In 2011, CCSAC counselled over 5,000 clients and helped them eliminate over $10-million in debt. To date, CCSAC has worked with in excess of 100,000 consumers experiencing debt issues. CCSAC plays a very active role in financial literacy and last year alone reached over 4,000 participants during 180 presentations.

The 28th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards dinner, Saint John’s Premiere annual business event, will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 3rd at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. Tickets are available by contacting the Board of Trade office at 40 King Street, Saint John or by calling (506) 634-8111.

Past recipients of the Chair’s Award include: Mr. Philip Oland in 1993; Saint John Pro Sports Inc. in 1994; Mr. Malcolm Somerville in 1995; the Imperial Theatre Inc. in 1996; Mr. Patrick Darrah in 1997; Cruise Saint John’s “Meet & Greet” Committee and the Irving Companies in 1999; New Brunswick Community College-Saint John and the University of New Brunswick Saint John in 2000; Mr. Lino Celeste in 2001; The Greater Saint John Roundtable on Primary Healthcare in 2002; Mr. Stephen MacMackin in 2003; Dr. Mary Eileen Travis in 2004; The five regional mayors were honoured as group in 2005; The Atlantica Centre for Energy in 2006; the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI) in 2007; Bob Manning in 2008; Gerry Pond in 2009; Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick in 2010; and Enterprise Saint John in 2011.

Saint John Board of Trade to host General Rick Hillier

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased to present a luncheon with General Rick Hillier. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at noon at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre.


General Hillier was Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff – the highest ranking position in the Canadian Forces. He is presently Senior Adviser with TD Bank Group. General Hillier will speak on Leadership.

Event and ticket information can be found at www.sjboardoftrade.com and can be purchased online or by calling the Saint John Board of Trade office at (506) 634-8111 or emailing info@sjboardoftrade.com

Thank you to our Sponsor, TD Bank Group.

Saint John Board of Trade to host Jean-Rene Halde, President & CEO, Business Development Bank of Canada

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased to present its Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Series with Jean-Rene Halde, President & CEO of the Business Development Bank of Canada. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at noon at the Delta Brunswick Hotel.

Mr. Halde will speak on innovation and investing.

Event and ticket information can be found at www.sjboardoftrade.com and can be purchased online or by calling the Saint John Board of Trade office at (506) 634-8111 or emailing info@sjboardoftrade.com

Thank you to our Distinguished Speaker Series Sponsors Emera New Brunswick, Scotiabank and Stewart McKelvey.

Saint John Board of Trade announces the Finalists for the 28th Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards

SAINT JOHN, NB – The Saint John Board of Trade proudly announces the finalists for Greater Saint John’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. The awards dinner, Saint John’s Premiere annual business event, and presentations will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.


From a field of over 90 nominees, the five-member judging panel has selected Cochran’s Country Market and Innovatia as the finalists for the Business Excellence award. The finalists for the Entrepreneurial Achievement award honour are Element5 Spa and Master Promotions. The finalists for the Emerging Enterprise award are Hemmings House Pictures and Piece-O-Cake.

The recipient of this year’s Young Entrepreneur Award is Dave Wolpin, the owner of Kredls, Wolpin Enterprises and Dave’s Produce Packs.

Now in its 28th year, the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards event recognizes businesses and business people in the community that have aided business development, entrepreneurship and increased economic progress in Greater Saint John.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This year’s winners will be announced at the awards dinner on October 3rd Tickets for the awards dinner may be obtained from the Saint John Board of Trade.

BMO Grand Opening Event on September 6th

For the invitation click here.

Pascan Aviation announces Saint John Air Schedule

For the media release click here.

CANAPORT LNG’S UPGRADE PROJECT INVESTING $3 MILLION INTO SAINT JOHN ECONOMY

Saint John, New Brunswick: Canaport LNG’s $43 million upgrade project has spent over $3 million to the benefit of local Saint John businesses since the beginning of construction in April, 2012.

Over 30 local suppliers have been contracted to supply equipment and manpower for the project, with approximately 25 to 30 local workers employed on site since construction began in April.

The upgrade project remains on schedule with additional workers and suppliers expected at the Terminal until the upgrades are complete. The BOG upgrade project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. The Canaport LNG Terminal will remain online during the construction period with minimal interruption to operations as a result of the construction activities.

In February, Canaport LNG announced plans to upgrade the Terminal’s Boil-Off Gas (BOG) system. Completion of this project will reduce the amount of BOG sent to flare, resulting in the reduction of the Terminal’s emissions.

Media Contact:

Kate Shannon

Canaport LNG

506-638-1311

PASCAN Aviation Announces Saint John Airport as Part of its New Schedule

For the news release click here.

Campaign on the Clock Connects Voters to Candidates

FUSION Saint John, Saint John Board of Trade and UNBSJ’s Students’ Representative Council present speed-networking event for members and municipal candidates.
With a full slate of names on Saint John’s municipal election roster, three local organizations have partnered to host an event to help voters put faces to names and connect with mayoral and ward candidates. FUSION Saint John, the Saint John Board of Trade and UNBSJ’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC) will co-host Campaign on the Clock, a speed-networking event that gives voters a chance to meet the candidates one-on-one.
“It’s important that voters be engaged in the political process and make informed decisions when casting their ballots,” says Imelda Gilman, president of the Saint John Board of Trade. “By partnering together to host this event, we’re extending our reach beyond our own memberships, and giving participants both a chance to interact directly with candidates and learn more about their platforms. Moreover, it allows for members from three organizations that represent different demographics a chance to connect with one another and discuss the upcoming election.”
This is the second time FUSION and the Saint John Board of Trade have hosted Campaign on the Clock, which was first held in 2008. By partnering with UNBSJ’s SRC, the hope is to engage Saint John’s student population in the political process by giving them direct exposure to the candidates.
All of the mayoral and ward candidates have been invited to attend Campaign on the Clock, and the host organizations expect that candidates running in all four Wards, as well as at-large and for mayor, will be in attendance. In addition, Michael Quinn, Elections New Brunswick’s Chief Electoral Officer, will be on hand with helpful voter information. There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
What: Campaign on the Clock 2012
When: May 3, 5:30p.m.-8:00p.m.
Where: Market Square Atrium
Who: FUSION Saint John, Saint John Board of Trade, UNBSJ Student Representative Council
About FUSION Saint John
FUSION is a networking group for active, civic-minded greater Saint John residents.
We serve as a catalyst for engagement through networking, partnerships and events, and are a leader in the movement that is helping to prevent the migration of educated young people to larger cities and to encourage those who have left to return to the greater Saint John region.
We strive to breathe new life into greater Saint John, and make it the premier place to live, work and play.
About Saint John Board of Trade
The Saint John Board of Trade is a nationally accredited business organization with distinction dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community. With more than 1,000 members, representing 600 small, medium, and large businesses and organizations and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.
About UNB Saint John Students Representative Council
Established in 1967, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the University of New Brunswick in Saint John (UNBSJ) is a non-profit, apolitical organizations run by students for students. The SRC is an organization made up of approximately 2400 full-time and part-time undergraduate students. As an SRC we offer many essential services to our students such as; health and dental insurance plan, student legal aid, clubs, societies, student activities, social events, federal and provincial lobbying, student employment and more! With the help of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) and the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) we will be lobbying tuition hikes, copyright issues, student debt, student loans application process and bursaries.
For more information:
Claire Ryan
FUSION Saint John
506-672-1860 x1
cryan@mtlpr.ca
Imelda Gilman
President, Saint John Board of Trade
506-634-4157
igilman@sjboardoftrade.com
John Runcie
VP External, UNBSJ SRC
506-648-5687
Src-external@unbsj.ca

TO TRULY TACKLE POVERTY, SUPPORT THE CREATION OF JOBS

This joint opinion piece by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the Saint John Board of Trade was published in the Wednesday, January 4, 2012 Telegraph Journal on page A5 under the headline 'Higher wages would hinder job creation'.

In recent months there has been plenty of discussion about the increase of the minimum wage in New Brunswick and how this has been linked to the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. In our view the best way to tackle poverty in New Brunswick is to create prosperous employment opportunities, and recent dramatic increases in the Province’s minimum wage have limited the ability of our small businesses to create jobs. Not only does this undermine any meaningful strategy to reduce poverty but it also hinders our Province’s ability to flourish.

In the past two years our province has seen a 21% increase in the minimum wage, an amount that has risen much higher than the rate of inflation. This, coupled with the increases of doing business, has put financial strain on the small business sector at a time when the Province is still severely challenged by the global economic downturn.

The majority of employers in New Brunswick are small businesses. Indeed, 97 percent of businesses are considered to be small and medium sized. Increases in minimum wage only increase an employer’s costs, and in fact, have a ripple effect throughout the entire economy. More often than not, these increases have unintended employment consequences. To underline this point, consider that New Brunswick is still the only province in Canada to have fewer jobs than it did before the 2008 economic crisis began.

It is our opinion that wage increases should be permitted to grow at a rate that is in tune with natural economic growth in the province. In Alberta, where starting wages vary widely, the legislated minimum wage, as of September 2011 is $9.40 per hour, 10 cents below what we have in New Brunswick. The average hourly wage in Alberta is $26.16 while in New Brunswick it is $19.73. That makes the minimum wage in Alberta 35.9% of the average wage compared to 48.1% in New Brunswick. In Alberta the provincial economy is better positioned to absorb minimum wage increases than in New Brunswick.

Quebec economist Pierre Fortin has argued that if the minimum wage is greater than a certain percentage of the average hourly wage in a province, economic evidence suggests that further increases to the minimum wage can have a profoundly negative employment effect. Fortin has suggested that as long as minimum wage remains less than 45% of the average wage it will not impact employers. Above the 45% threshold, employers need to make difficult choices to reduce their costs. For a number of small businesses, that choice unfortunately is layoffs. With the next scheduled increase to $10, N.B.’s minimum wage will jump to an estimated 50% of the average hourly wage in the province. This will only lead to further hard choices for business owners in the province.

In New Brunswick, approximately 23,000 households, rely on social assistance compared to the 15,000 individuals (mostly students) who make minimum wage. The focus should be more on improving policies like tax benefits and other targeted social initiatives rather than imposing increases on employers who work in a free market economy where the laws of supply and demand rule the day.

The poorest households of New Brunswick would be better served through changes to social programs and policies such as increasing the maximum income before tax, increasing the ceiling on income assistance (especially with respect to health cards), and other initiatives to encourage greater participation in the workforce.

A good job is the most meaningful way out of poverty, and our business members would welcome an opportunity to help create more jobs in New Brunswick. We believe an aggressive minimum wage increase undermines this approach.

In closing, the Saint John Board of Trade and Fredericton Chamber of Commerce agree that poverty is too high and the New Brunswick government needs to take concrete steps to reduce the cycle of poverty. However, we do not believe this should be on the shoulders of business. Virtually all economists agree that increasing the minimum wage as a means to tackle poverty is too blunt a policy instrument, and may have unintended employment consequences. Considering that 1 in 5 young New Brunswickers is already unemployed, our province can ill-afford further experimentation with wage rates.

With more than 900 members, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce is one of Atlantic Canada’s largest chambers of commerce. A dynamic and relevant business organization, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce is actively engaged in policy development that affects the competitiveness of our members and of the Canadian business environment.

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