Meet the 2023 Outstanding Business Achievement Award Finalists & Winners!
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2023 Outstanding Business Achievement Award winners & finalists:
Hamilton Citizen of the Year Award - Carole MacVicar
Hamilton CEO of the Year Award - PJ Mercanti, CEO of Carmen's Group)
Finalists for all other business categories, click here
The Hamilton Chamber’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards are an annual celebration of local business excellence and growth.
The awards of each category will be handed out at an in-person gala on Wednesday, March 29 at 6:00 pm at Carmen’s Banquet Centre. Tickets are now available and can be purchased here!
Final Ballot
Click here to view the Nominating & Governance Committee's recommended slate for the 2023 Board of Directors.
The Board will be introduced to the membership at our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 1.Register to join us today!
Policy and Advocacy Updates & News
Provincial By-election Called in Hamilton Centre
Last Wednesday, a writ was issued under Section 9.1 of the Election Act for a by-election in the electoral district of Hamilton Centre. Under the Election Act, elections must be called on a Wednesday and held the fifth Thursday after the date of the issue of the writ.
Voting day in Hamilton Centre will be Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Participates in Federal, Provincial and Municipal Budgetary Processes
Since the outset of 2023, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has been actively involved in each of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government’s budgetary processes advocating for investments that will further support the prosperity of Hamilton’s business community.
Our President & CEO, Greg Dunnett, and our Policy & Government Relations Advisor, Paul Szachlewicz, have met with officials at all levels of government to share the concerns of our membership around labour sourcing challenges, the impacts of inflation, regional competitiveness, and our collective transition to net-zero emissions.
If you are interested in learning more about our specific advocacy asks, read the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Federal and Provincial Pre-Budget Submissions respectively. For Municipal advocacy, click here to view Greg’s delegation to Hamilton City Council.
Click here to read the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Pre-Budget Submission, “Implementing a Clear Strategy for Economic Growth”
If you would like to learn more about the policy and advocacy work of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, please reach out to our Policy & Government Relations Advisor, Paul Szachlewicz.
Government of Canada Releases Interim Sustainable Jobs Plan
Last week, the Government of Canada released its interim Sustainable Jobs Plan. This interim plan for 2023-2025 sets an initial frame for the Sustainable Jobs Action Plans that will be released every five years starting in 2025.
This interim plan defines the federal government’s commitment to make progress on 10 key action areas:
Establish the Sustainable Jobs Secretariat;
Create a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council;
Develop economic strategies through the Regional Energy and Resource Tables;
Introduce a sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program;
Advance funding for skills development towards sustainable jobs;
Promote Indigenous-led solutions and a National Benefits-Sharing Framework;
Improve labour market data collection, tracking and analysis;
Motivate investors and draw in industry leadership to support workers;
Collaborate and lead on the global stage; and
Establish legislation that ensures ongoing engagement and accountability.
This Plan is an essential component of the Government’s strategy for building a sustainable, prosperous economy for years and decades to come.
The CIC will help Canadian businesses across all sectors and regions to innovate, commercialize, grow, and create good jobs in a changing global economy. Using best practices established by similar agencies around the world, the CIC will be an operationally independent, outcome-driven organization, that will work with the private sector to provide targeted support to new and established Canadian firms by delivering funding and advisory services.
The blueprint document released provides details on how the CIC will operate, with further details on the standing up of the CIC’s operations to be announced in the coming months.
In creating the CIC, the government is following through on its Budget 2022 commitment to establish an innovation agency to drive Canadian business investment in research and development (R&D) and foster economic growth.
Government of Canada Invests in Training for Workers in a Net-Zero Economy
Today, Minister Filomena Tassi that the Government of Canada is investing $46.5 million in Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2). Led by Hamilton Chamber of Commerce member Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, C2R2 is a coalition focused on developing demand-driven workforce training solutions for a net-zero emissions economy through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.
C2R2 has launched Quick Train Canada, a project that provides Canadians with access to fully funded micro-credentials to help increase their skills and competencies. The training will address workforce development needs within the agriculture, clean tech, construction, natural resources and environment, and transportation sectors through 80 micro-credential courses.
HIPC Presents 2023 Annual Event and Launch of Immigration Museum Exhibition
Come celebrate the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council at their Annual Event on March 9 at 11 a.m. Stop by, network with community members, enjoy entertainment, and celebrate our local immigration achievements over the past year.
The HIPC team will be launching the second edition of our Stories of Migration and Belonging exhibit with Hamilton Civic Museums.
Attend Connect to Careers on March 7 to meet with a diverse audience of motivated students, recent grads and community members. Returning to FirstOntario Centre this year, this in-person event provides an easy, effective way to network and make connections.
The cost is $650 per employer booth (sponsorship packages are available). If you are part of a not-for-profit organization with fewer than 20 employees, you can register at the reduced fee of $350 (CAD) plus HST.
On March 4, Sustainability Leadership will host the Sustainability Innovation Hackathon 2023.
With only 3 hours & infinite possibilities, can YOU create a sustainable solution? If you think you have what it takes, join our Sustainability Innovation Hackathon 2023! This annual event is coming soon and pre-registration is open to Canadians from the ages of 18 to 30 who have an interest in sustainability, a knack for problem-solving or are innovation-savvy.
Join us virtually at the Women's Network 3rd Annual Summit on March 9th. This year’s summit theme, EMERGE, focuses on supporting and inspiring women as they move to a proactive state and into a mindset where they are moving the needle on achieving their personal and professional goals.
The Hamilton Chamber is proud to be a sponsor this year and is offering a discount with PROMO CODE: WPS2023XHCOC
Get your tickets & learn more about the speaker lineup at womensnetwork.ca
