Another year has almost come to an end and for the Lloydminster Chamber it has been a busy and productive year.

Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce

Political Action Committee Year in Review

2012 saw an extraordinary number of achievements for the Political Action Committee. PAC meets monthly with 8 – 10 members around the table each meeting. The Chamber ED and one board member are also involved with the Alberta Chamber political action committee that meets six times per year, primarily by conference call.

We began the year in January with a visit to the Deputy Minister’s in Edmonton. This was a similar meeting to the one that was held the previous September with the Deputy Ministers in Saskatchewan. It was an extremely cold day, however 12 Community leaders   met for lunch and discussion with the DM’s on a number of topics concerning our community. Mayor Jeff Mulligan indicated at the Chamber AGM that these meetings opened some doors for our municipal leaders as they strive to provide necessary linkages between the two provinces.

Our Chamber was involved in the widespread consultations held by the Saskatchewan Chamber in the areas of employment and labour legislation that helped shape the provinces new act. A policy resolution that began in Lloydminster on Photo Speed Enforcement has moved a bit closer to completion with word that photo speed enforcement will soon be implemented within construction zones in the province. While this is good news, more work needs to be done to see this selected issue to a complete resolution.  The premier’s Saskatchewan Plan for Growth followed many of the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Chamber’s Growth Strategy bringing good news for the business community, and discussion was restarted on the process which had been used to eliminate the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit.

On the Health Care front the Chamber has been actively involved over the year. Beginning in February we were active in the Community Engagement committee who was tasked with reviewing and validating the statistical data that was being gathered about our Health Region. This culminated in a community open house held over two days in November.  In addition the Lloydminster Chamber presented a policy resolution concerning the practices and obligations of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in both provinces with the result being that in October the CPSA & the CPSS along with the Rural Physician Action Plan CEO  met in Lloydminster for a number of meetings with community leaders and advisory committees as well as Physicians and the public. The Lloydminster Chamber continues to lead a Health Care Policy committee in Alberta looking at the policy resolutions that will be presented in May to the Alberta Chamber policy debate.  Several of the Chamber board members have been on hand to welcome and be introduced to new doctors and prospective new doctors to the community. 

A board member and one of the staff have taken a lead in continuing the discussion started by the Premiers Council on the Economy last year. Lakeland College business students developed a website entitled “Shape the Future” and meetings with school principals has been held to determine the best way to begin the discussion with high school and middle school students. In addition, meetings will be set up with Onion Lake First Nation principals to further the discussions in that community.

Two Candidates Forums were held this year. One for the Alberta provincial election in April and the other for the Civic election in October. These were very well attended and feedback was very positive about the organization and moderation of these events.

We were in attendance at the Lloydminster Public School Division strategic planning session in May.  This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed about and have input into the educational issues and needs as well as celebrate the real successes of our school division.

In May staff attended the Saskatchewan Conference on Business and the Alberta Chambers conference that includes the policy debate and the adoption of the provincial resolutions. Lloydminster presented resolutions at both conferences.

Also in May PAC hosted the Saskatchewan Post Budget Tour breakfast and in November they hosted the Leaders group and the MLA’s at a meeting. As well in November, PAC hosted the State of the Province address breakfast with the Honorable Tim McMillan. MLA Richard Starke was also in attendance.  In July, staff and board members attended the Treaty Six flag raising at City Hall. In August, several board members attended the Lloydminster Charter presentation and in December staff & board members attended the signing of the Lloydminster Charter by both provinces.

In September Chamber president and staff attended the Canadian Chamber Conference in Hamilton and participated in the policy session at the national level. Several important policies were adopted that could affect our local region.

In November, the Chamber along with Alberta Works hosted a Social Policy focus group to enable members to have input into the social policy framework for the next three years in Alberta

This focus group was well attended.

In December, the Policy Development round table was held with several areas of policy concern brought forward. Resolutions will be drafted for debate at the policy session in January or early February.

PAC has been busy and is working hard for our business members.

Michael Holden, Chamber Vice President is the Chair of the Political Action committee 

I take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Till next time........

Pat

Chamber president, Leana Ross was a lucky prize winner. Leana and I attended the grand opening of the ATCO Electric Operations Center. What a wonderful building with so many environmentally friendly ideas. The tour was very educational and the state of the art equipment and design was exciting to see. ATCO has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years and we are so pleased that they have chosen to locate their Operations Center in our City. It was very evident that the staff and management alike are so pleased to have a building where they can all work together in one place. Congratulations ATCO Electric.

The Chamber was pleased to host the October After Hours Connect at the Cheesiry west of Lloydminster. This is a unique country business that makes cheese from sheep's milk. Dozens of different kinds and flavors. It was a rare opportunity to have a Connect at a business location, out in the country on the day of our first snow fall for the year. Thanks to the Cheesiry for welcoming us and I encourage you to have a visit yourself.




The All Candidates Forum for the upcoming Civic Election,  held at the Civic Center Auditorium last Thursday night saw over 300 Lloydminster and area residents out to hear what the 16 candidates had to say. The Forum staff did a great job of keeping everyone on track and ensuring that all candidates had their voice heard. There were a number of topics discussed and candidates stuck around after the forum to talk with voters.

I am very pleased to say congratulations to Gladys Jack the recipient of the Chamber president's Lifetime Achievement Award. Gladys received her award at the Chamber's Business Awards Gala last week at the Vic Juba Theater   Gladys has been a resident of Lloydminster since 1949 and her and her husband Bob owned and operated Bob Jack's Sheet metal for many years. Gladys has contributed to the Lloydminster community in so many ways. Her love of music and her talent at bringing the very best out in people, especially young people, has allowed her to lead many musical groups including the Joy Singers and the  Grace United Bell Choir. Gladys has also been very involved in music festival and in the life and work of her church. and community.

Upcoming for the Chamber -
* Public Meeting with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta & Saskatchewan - Oct. 31 -  
   Stockade Center at 7:30 pm
* Coffee Break & Immigration meeting with Ireland and the Alberta & Sask. Immigrant Nominee Program -
   Nov. 2
* Breakfast with the Honorable Tim McMillan, MLA for Lloydminster on Nov. 23rd. *
* Christmas Expo Trade Show - Nov. 18, 19, 20 - Alberta Building - Lloyd Ex.
For info on any of these events call the Chamber office.

Till next time .....
Pat

Lloydminster Chamber now accredited

Steve McClellan, Chair of the Canadian Accreditation Council,
Pat Tenney, Executive Director and Leana Ross, President
Lloydminster Chamber and Pat Horgan, Chair of the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce

I spent most of the last week in Hamilton at the Canadian Chamber Executives Conference followed by the Canadian Chamber Conference. This was five days of networking, learning and policy setting. Our president, Leana Ross and I were pleased to be head table guests at the Power of the Network luncheon where we were  presented with our accreditation with distinction certificate from the  Canadian Chamber Accreditation council. While it was a rigorous exercise to become accredited, we now have a useful orientation and succession planning tool and our members can be assured that we are operating in a way that meets a national standard.
I was thrilled to hear Frank O'Dea, founder of Second Cup, speak on the topic of Hope, Vision & Action. It would be great to be able to bring Mr.O'Dea to Lloydminster to share his incredible rags to riches story with our community. Perhaps that is a project.

Over the past few weeks we have been collecting questions from our members that will be used at our All Candidates Forum on Oct. 18th. This forum is an opportunity for the community to hear from the sixteen candidates vying for a seat on City council.

A policy resolution presented at the Alberta Chamber of Commerce policy session in May concerning the licensing of Physicians in Lloydminster has resulted in the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta and Saskatchewan visiting our community on Oct. 31st. The Colleges are interested in learning more about our very interesting city and the challenges that we face in providing health care to our bi-provincial community. A public meeting will be held at 7:30 that evening. Watch our newsletter and the local media for more information as we approach the date.

I hope everyone will take the time to attend our October Business Connect at the Cheesery (west of Lloydminster) on Oct. 10th, and our Business Week Awards Gala on Oct. 17th. Tickets for the Gala are available at the Vic Juba Theatre box office.

The Job Fair held in conjunction with Alberta Works is filling up for Oct. 11th. We have advertised this event right across Canada so a good turn out of potential job seekers is anticipated. Wainwright is also holding a job fair on Oct. 4th and we have been doing advertising together.  Our region is how the rest of the world looks at us so it is important to work together towards our next economy, our next community and our future Chambers.

Till next time ......
Pat

Summer is almost over ......

The Chamber Nine and Dine  Connect held at Rolling Green Golf Club was well attended and lots of fun. The most "fives" award was presented by Chamber marketing coordinator, Serena,  to our Chamber president, Leana Ross and her team mates Melinda Haggert from the Health Foundation and Victoria McLean from  Synergy Credit Union. We couldn't have asked for better weather, sunny & warm with a slight breeze to keep the mosquitoes away. A beef on a bun supper was enjoyed after the nine hole Texas scramble event.

Chamber Finance Executive, Elaine Lawrence was in fine form and just missed winning the longest drive.

The Chuckwagons are in town and the Chamber staff got into the spirit and dressed western for the week. Check out the painted windows at the office welcoming the drivers and fans to town. Streetscapes also painted up a window downtown on the Border Paint store. It's great to see our members getting involved in this huge revenue booster for our City businesses. Good luck to all of the drivers for a successful and safe meet.

Our Chamber is teaming up with Alberta Works to provide a job fair opportunity for our members. Oct 11 is the date for the job fair in Lloydminster. We are advertising outside our region in the hopes of attracting job seekers from other provinces. Wainwright is holding their job fair on Oct. 4 so perhaps with the two fairs happening close together, we may have luck attracting from afar. Be sure to call the office and sign up your booth, Only 50 spaces available. Check the Chamber website at www.lloydminsterchamber.com for more info.  

That's it for this time ....
Pat

Treaty Six Flag Raising

Chamber Board Member, Rob Saunders joins the dignitaries at the Treaty
6 Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall today.

Chief Wallace Fox & Mayor Jeff Mulligan
lead the procession of dignitaries at the
Treaty 6 Ceremony.

Busy, rainy days of summer.....

Harvesting a Major Win 

The decades-long monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board comes to an end Aug. 1 with the enactment of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act. This legislation fulfils an Alberta Chamber of Commerce (ACC) policy, which arose out of Red Deer in 2001. The winds of change have been blowing in Alberta's agri-business in preparation for the 2012 harvest. The new act means western farmers will, for the first time, gain the opportunity to sell their own grain crops, as befitting business people who market internationally. It also plows the way for greater value-added and investment opportunities in an open-market system. Brad Severin, ACC Policy Chair    
As a Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce member, our members are also members of the Alberta Chamber. Your local Chamber sits on the ACC policy committee and has input into the policy development and adoption of the Alberta policy resolutions. The above policy resolution which was taken to the policy debate of the Canadian Chamber by the Alberta Chamber, and adopted there, and subsequently taken to the Canadian government,and  is just one more way that your Chamber membership works for you. 

Over 40 Executive Directors of Alberta Chambers of Commerce met in Brooks last week for their annual professional development summit. This is a great opportunity to learn from one another as well as from the professional speakers. It was just one year ago that the Alberta Chamber Executives were in Lloydminster learning from our local professionals and getting to know our City better. I enjoy this time of networking and fun & supportive camaraderie with my colleagues from across Alberta & Saskatchewan. 

Northern Gateway -- CALL TO ACTION  On Monday, our members will receive a Call to Action advocacy package designed to assist chamber members interested in writing Letters of Comment to the Joint Review Panel, which is seeking public input on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project. The deadline for the Letters of Comment is Aug. 31.  I encourage members to provide comment on this project as it is viewed as critical to Alberta's sustained economic success because it will diversify our markets for crude oil. This advocacy thrust is based on the ACC recently adopted policy, Northern Gateway Pipelines Project.  Our float entry in the parade was very well done thanks to our awesome staff and board members. I missed the parade once again due to the ACE conference, however I heard that the parade was colorful and interesting, the two breakfasts held by Leckie & Associates and City of Lloydminster/NewCap were delicious and the Lloyd Ex did their usual bang up job of hosting record crowds at the fair. When I am away from our City and visiting with folks from other municipalities, I fully appreciate what we have here ... a forward thinking city council and administration, hardworking and progressive organizations, honest and integral business leaders and friendly and helpful people. Who would want to live or run a business anywhere else? I have been busy this week, along with Karin, our resident photographer, visiting with and taking pictures for our Business Awards presentation. It has been interesting and fun meeting with nominees and getting a tour of their business or organization. I hope that everyone will come out and celebrate with us in October during business week when we showcase our nominated businesses and announce the recipients of the Business awards.    New West Partnership blows in more benefits for business  Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan have launched a new streamlined system of business registration. As of July 1, businesses only have to register in one of the provinces to operate in each province. The system was created under the New West Partnership, which is a venture among the three provinces to eliminate barriers to trade. ACC's longstanding policy, Elimination on Interprovincial Trade Barriers, seeks this kind of collaboration.   Till next time ....... Pat

Congratulations to the Lloydminster Handivan Society and RE/MAX of Lloydminster on their partnership to provide wheel chair accessible transportation services to our community. Transportation services have become increasingly important as our city grows and prospers. It is great to see one of our Chamber members applying an interesting marketing opportunity  in partnership with a long standing community organization like the Handivan Society to provide for this essential service. 

What a great time we had at the Lloyd Ex last Thursday when they hosted the June noon hour Connect. Corinne and Mike updated everyone on the upcoming Lloydminster Exhibition and great food and "fair" games were enjoyed by those in attendance. Our fearless leader, President Leana Ross, takes a lesson in wild cow milking. 






The Community Leaders Group met with the  Honorable Tim McMillan and newly elected MLA Richard Starke last week. A good discussions was held about several areas of interest to our community. 

Be sure to watch for the Chamber of Commerce and the Streetscapes Co float entry in the parade next week.

I will have to miss the parade again this year as our Alberta Chamber Executive Director's professional development summit is held those days in Brooks.

Till next time......
Pat