24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence

April 2, 2019  

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Oakville West presented the 24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence on March 27th at the Oakville Conference Centre. The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence are dedicated to recognizing exemplary models of excellence and community service by Oakville’s businesses and the invaluable contribution they make to Oakville’s economic development, unique character and outstanding quality of life.

Being recognized by one’s peers, either by nomination or award recipient, is a thank you for the hard work and risk the finalists have incurred. As ambassadors for business in Oakville, finalists and award recipients provide guidance and inspiration to new and seasoned businesses – as well as young, aspiring entrepreneurs. They help foster the spirit of adventure and enterprise, risk and reward for young people and so it is fitting that the proceeds from the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence help support the Rotary Club of Oakville West’s youth programs, including the Rotary Education Awards, Camp Enterprise, and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

Congratulations to the Award Recipients!

RBC Royal Bank Large Business of the Year
Encore Market Engagement
Ken Pickthall and Brian Vanstone (Encore Market Engagement) with Award Presenter Peter Choma (RBC Royal Bank)

Bell Mid-size Business of the Year
BestLifeRewarded Innovations Inc.
Cynthia Hastings-James and Susanne Cookson (BestLifeRewarded Innovations Inc.) with Award Presenter Lena Demarco (Bell)

Henderson Partners LLP Small Business of the Year 
Sounds Good AVS Solutions
Robert May and Nikki Lord (Sounds Good AVS Solutions) with Award Presenter Christie Henderson (Henderson Partners LLP)

Professional Services Provider of the Year 
MNP LLP (Cornwall Road location)
Matt MacDonald (MNP LLP) with Award presenter Tanya Leedale (O’Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP)

The Morris Mercanti Service Industry Award 
The Oakville Academy For The Arts
Heidi Schofield (The Oakville Academy for the Arts) with Award Presenter Lynn Mercanti

KPMG Young Professional or Entrepreneur of the Year 
Blake Wyatt of Wyatt Development Group
Blake Wyatt with Award Presenter Carlos Alvarez (KPMG)

Oakville Hydro Conservation Leadership Award 
Mauser Packaging Solutions
Wojciech Tymczak, Shubi Bhattacharya, and Karen Anderson (Mauser Packaging Solutions) with Award Presenter Rob Lister (Oakville Hydro)

Genworth Community Builder Award 
Oakville Soccer Club
Dave Harris (Oakville Soccer Club) with Award Presenter Kiki Sauriol-Roode (Genworth)

CN Charity/Not-For-Profit Excellence Award 
The May Court Club of Oakville
Donna Samuels (The May Court of Oakville) with Award Presenter Daniel Salvatore (CN)

Oakville’s Business Icon Award
Geotab Inc.
Award Presenter Michael Leblanc (FCT) with Neil Cawse (Geotab Inc.)

Watch Geotab Inc. CEO Neil Cawse’s acceptance speech filmed by YourTV.

For our full event album, please visit our Flickr page.

Federal Budget 2019

March 20, 2019  

“The Oakville Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate that the Government focus on and address four key priorities identified by our members; Transportation, Business Competitiveness, Recruiting and Retaining Talent and Innovation.

While the Budget delivers on some of our advocacy priorities that will advance the competitiveness of our members, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and housing affordability, it does fail to provide concrete measures to address the tax and regulatory burden on businesses.

The Oakville Chamber, along with the Canadian Chamber network continue to look for a commitment from the Federal Government for a comprehensive review of the taxation system to make it fair and less cumbersome for businesses as well as a broad-based commitment to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses.

Heading into the 2019 Federal Election, the Oakville Chamber will continue to engage with Federal representatives to advocate on behalf of our members, ensuring the focus remains on increasing overall business competitiveness and fostering innovation here in Oakville and across our Country.”

– Drew Redden, President, Oakville Chamber of Commerce

Read the Canadian Chamber of Commerce analysis.


Geotab to be recognized as Oakville’s Business Icon

March 19, 2019  

The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence are pleased to announce that Geotab will be the recipient of Oakville’s Business Icon Award at the 24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence Gala. The gala will take place at the Oakville Conference Centre on Wednesday, March 27th.

“The Business Icon Award recognizes a prominent Oakville business which is highly regarded in the community, and this year Geotab has been selected as the recipient of this award” stated Peter DeGroot, President of The Rotary Club of Oakville West.

In 2000, forward thinker Neil Cawse founded Geotab in Oakville. The company name signifies the blending together of the concepts of geography (Geo) and tabulation (tab). In over 15 years, Geotab grew from a small family business, to a global leader in solutions for fleet management and vehicle tracking. They are now one of the largest telematics companies in the world with over 30,000 customers and over 1.4 million devices operating in more than 130 countries across all 7 continents.  

Global demand for telematics is increasing and Geotab is rising to the challenge. Collecting over 3 billion data points every day, the company is focused on providing customers and communities with data-driven insights to help improve productivity, efficiencies and safety. Introducing new and cutting-edge technology to help businesses better manage their fleets, Geotab recently launched the GO0 device, the latest iteration of the company’s flagship product that will enable them to effectively expand globally and be utilized by new vehicle types including electric vehicles.

One of the core values at Geotab is to innovate and continuously seek ways to improve. They are committed to advancing technology, empowering businesses and making the roads safer for everyone. Geotab is built upon a culture of trust, continuous learning and teamwork. They focus on employee well-being, having implemented many progressive initiatives including an inventor reward program, customer experience and support incentive training, training plans, community outreach, company-wide social events, theme days and team building activities. Geotab also invests in employee training and promotes ongoing development.

Geotab encourages and supports giving back to the communities in which they work and live in. While Geotab has an organization supports a variety of local initiatives, such as food drives, clothing and toy drives, event sponsorships and a benefit concert to promote road safety, they also encourage employee driven engagement. Geotab employees are invited to bring forward initiatives that are meaningful to them with the potential for Geotab to get involved, whether it be through a monetary donation or the donation of time and resources.

In addition to its philanthropic efforts, Geotab is dedicated to infinitives that contribute to the burgeoning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics) job market. These initiatives include local high school mentorship events, on-campus recruiting, a robust research and development program for undergraduate students and a hands-on internship program.  

A recipient of many prestigious awards, including Oakville’s Large Business of the Year Award in 2016, Geotab recently announced that is has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for a second consecutive year! In 2018 Geotab was also named the 2018 North American Company of the Year in the commercial fleet telematics industry by Frost & Sullivan, was included on the 500 list for Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies, as well as the Technology Fast 500 list by Deloitte for North America. The company is also Great Place to Work Certified and has received nods for being one of the Best Workplaces for technology, millennials and women.

“Geotab is a highly respected organization that serves the Oakville community. Their commitment to innovation, giving back to the community, and building excellence is an example for us all. We are proud to honour Geotab this year with the Business Icon Award and we invite the Oakville community to join us in celebrating the innovative businesses that call Oakville home” stated Tim Caddigan, Chair of the Board, Oakville Chamber of Commerce.  

Date: Wednesday, March 27th

Time: 5:30pm – Registration & Reception; 6:30pm – Dinner & Awards Gala

Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road

Tickets: $135 per person. Tickets can be purchased online .


The May Court Club of Oakville to be recognized for Charity Excellence

March 13, 2019  

The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence are thrilled to announce that The May Court Club of Oakville will be the recipient of the CN Charity/Not-for-Profit Excellence Award. The award will be presented at the 24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence gala on Wednesday, March 27th at the Oakville Conference Centre.

“The CN Charity/Not-for-Profit Excellence Award honours not-for-profit organizations who are highly regarded in the area for raising funds and providing services to improve the lives of people within our community. This year we a proud to present the award to The May Court Club of Oakville” stated Tim Caddigan, Chair of the Board, Oakville Chamber of Commerce.  

The May Court Club of Oakville is a volunteer women’s organization that provides services and funds to our community. Their mission is to help those that are vulnerable; especially women, children, seniors, and those with physical and mental challenges. This is done through their fundraising efforts in which they help fund agencies who have locations within Oakville and Halton Region. They have supported numerous organizations in the community including Home Suite Hope, Lighthouse for Grieving Children, Food4Kids, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Fare Share Foodbank.

The May Court Club is the oldest service organization established in 1898 and have served the Oakville community since 1956. The Oakville club has grown to have over 240 volunteer members who are committed to improving the community through effective programs and activities. The operation of the club relies completely on the time, talents and energy of their volunteer members. Since they are completely run by volunteers, The May Court Club of Oakville has minimal administrative fees, and the funds they raise go directly into the community.

Volunteering with The May Court Club provides an enriching experience through meaningful service, fundraising projects and various opportunities for volunteers to share their talents, learn new skills, and develop life-long friendships. The Club inspires volunteerism, develops leaders, and motivates individuals to positively impact the Oakville and Halton Region community.

The May Court Club of Oakville is known for their exciting and successful fundraising events. This includes dances, gala dinners, fashion shows, comedy nights, and their annual holiday gift wrapping at Oakville Place. They also run special programs to support youth in our community. Since 1991, May Court volunteers have purchased and delivered nutritious and non-perishable snacks to over 25 local schools to feed children who would otherwise go hungry through their Lunch Box Program. They also have a Puppeteers Program where their volunteers perform weekly shows at local elementary schools to educate and empower students by offering coping tools and strategies for various types and situations of bullying. The program reaches approximately 2,000 children each year. Another way in which the club supports youth is through their scholarship program. For over 50 years, The May Court Club of Oakville has been supporting youth financially to obtain their post-secondary education with over $990,000 awarded in scholarships.

Another way The May Court Club supports the local community is through their Nearly New Shop, a consignment store located in Kerr Village. Since opening its doors in 1957, the shop has served thousands of customers in Oakville. Over 100 volunteers run and work in the Nearly New Shop, which accepts and sells gently used women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, shoes, décor, books and household items. The store helps lower the community’s environmental impact – encouraging us to re-use, in addition to providing well-priced merchandise for shoppers. 100% of the net profits are directed into the community – over the years this is over $1,500,000!

“The May Court Club has supported a wide range of organizations in the Oakville Community. Join us on March 27th to celebrate all they do for our community at the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence gala” stated Peter DeGroot, President of the Rotary Club of Oakville West.  

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, March 27th
Time: 5:30pm – Registration & Reception; 6:30pm – Dinner & Awards Gala
Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road
Tickets: $135 per person. Tickets can be purchased online.

 

Oakville Chamber of Commerce Board Nominations

March 7, 2019  

A reminder, to members of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, that Board nomination forms are due by 4 p.m. (local time) on Thursday, April 5, 2018.  We welcome nominations for Members of the Board of Directors for the term of September 2018 (Annual General Meeting) to September 2020 (Annual General Meeting).

 

For a copy of the nomination form or for details on what the time commitments are to participate on the Board of Directors, please contact France Fournier or Drew Redden at the Chamber office (905) 845-6613.



Oakville Soccer Club to be recognized as the Genworth Community Builder of the Year

March 4, 2019  

The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence are pleased to announce that the Oakville Soccer Club (OSC) will be the recipient of the Genworth Community Builder of the Year Award. The award will be presented at the 24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence gala on Wednesday, March 27th at the Oakville Conference Centre.

“The Genworth Community Builder Award recognizes an organization that has, over a period of time, demonstrated exemplary business practices and dedicated involvement in the community” stated Peter DeGroot, President of The Rotary Club of Oakville West.

The Oakville Soccer Club is a not-for-profit organization created in 1972 through the merger of the Bronte Legion Soccer Club, Oakville United Soccer, and Oakville Minor Soccer. It has grown to become the largest amateur soccer club in North America, and the largest community sports organization in Canada with more than 12,000 members and over 900 volunteer and professional coaches.

The Club holds the Ontario Soccer Association’s Gold Standard Award for Club Excellence, capturing eight national championships, 56 Ontario Cup winners, as well as players who have represented the Oakville Soccer Club in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, U-Sports (formerly known as the Canadian Interuniversity Sport), and at the Provincial and National levels. Throughout the years, several Oakville players have earned scholarships with Universities and Colleges in Canada and the United States. OSC players have proudly represented Canada at the provincial, national and international levels including the Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Over the past nine years, the Oakville Soccer Club has also awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to assist members of the club in pursuing post-secondary education. Recipients are chosen based on their contributions to the club, academic achievement and service to the community. The Club has also provided over $800,000 in fee assistance to ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to play soccer.

The Club serves the Oakville community, enabling every player –regardless of age or ability – to play the best they can. They offer March Break and PA Day Camps in addition to their youth, adult and senior programs. The Oakville Soccer Club also offers the Breaking Barriers program, which is designed for those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Participants are introduced to soccer and the fundamentals of physical literacy. Players enjoy a comfortable and inclusive environment where they can learn and engage at their own pace, while making new friends.

“The Oakville Soccer Club is immersed in the Oakville community. We are excited to recognize the Oakville Soccer Club as the Genworth Community Builder and invite the community to join us on March 27th to celebrate their success” stated Tim Caddigan, Chair of the Board, Oakville Chamber of Commerce.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, March 27th

Time: 5:30pm – Registration & Reception; 6:30pm – Dinner & Awards Gala

Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road

Tickets: $135 per person. Tickets can be purchased online.



24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence Nominees

February 25, 2019  

The nominees for the 24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence are:

RBC Royal Bank Large Business of the Year Bell Mid-size Business of the Year Henderson Partners LLP Small Business of the Year Professional Services Provider of the Year The Morris Mercanti Service Industry Award KPMG Young Professional or Entrepreneur of the Year (YPEG Award) Oakville Hydro Conservation Leadership Award
The Oakville Chamber of Commerce and The Rotary Club of Oakville West thank Platinum Partner RBC Royal Bank for their generous support of the 24th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, March 27th Time: 5:30pm – Registration & Reception; 6:30pm – Dinner & Awards Gala Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road Tickets: $135 per person. Register now.

Canadian Business Associations United To Press For Action On Resources

February 20, 2019  

National Letter for National Day of Action and Senate Committee Testimony

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce, representing 1,200 local businesses, is joining other Chambers from across the country to sound the alarm that Canada is at an economic and social tipping point because of our failure to get energy resource infrastructure built.

The cohesion of our country is threatened by the devastating impact of low oil prices, our inability to get energy resources to global markets and a growing sense of alienation among Canadians who live and work in the resources sector.

Our natural resources should be a source of pride for all Canadians. As producers of some of the cleanest, most ethically-produced energy products in the world, we should be doing all we can as a country to get them to global markets, where they can get a fair price, help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to our prosperity as a nation.

Canada’s economic well-being is at risk and the growing sense that Canadians who live in resource-dependent regions are being ignored is creating deep and serious divisions among our citizens. We need to come together as one country and this letter is intended to deliver a clear message to politicians in Ottawa and across Canada: the businesses in your jurisdictions want you to act and act now.

In order to do so, we are asking Canada’s federal and provincial leaders to:

  • Make amendments to Bill C-69 to bring greater clarity, predictability and transparency to the bill, as outlined in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senate submission.
  • Get our energy resources to tidewater, starting by recognizing that the Trans-Mountain Expansion is in the national interest and by expediting its construction in uncontested jurisdictions.
  • Implement the regulatory changes promised in the Fall Economic Update.
  • Declare a broad mutual recognition of each province’s standards, across all sectors.

Canadians in all regions believe that we can and should get our resources responsibly to global markets.

Canada’s business community is prepared to do its part. We need Canada’s politicians do theirs. Now.

Sincerely,

Drew Redden
President & CEO
Oakville Chamber of Commerce


Canada is at an economic and social tipping point because of our inability to get energy resource infrastructure built. The business community presses for action from federal government

February 13, 2019  

Canada’s resource sector remains a vital driver of our economy, helping to create jobs and economic prosperity not just for those who work in the sector, but for millions of Canadians across the country.  These resources must be developed responsibly and sustainably and we must support the development of the infrastructure required to ship them to markets across Canada and around the world.   

The oil and gas industry is Canada’s largest private investor, $40 billion annually.  Canada is currently struggling to attract investment to the resource sector. Rising costs from increased taxation, a burdensome regulatory environment, and the lack of pipeline infrastructure is negatively affecting our ability to compete for the capital needed to create jobs and national prosperity.

In an effort to resolve some of these issues, the government introduced Bill C-69, a piece of government legislation titled “The modernization of the National Energy Board Act (NEBA) and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA).” It seeks to overhaul both the NEBA and CEAA, changing how major infrastructure projects are reviewed and approved in Canada.  The Bill has been passed by the House of Commons and is now in its third reading in Senate.

Although the Canadian Chamber supports the objective of a review and assessment process initiated by the government, the business community has a number of concerns with Bill C69 as it contains flaws that could seriously disadvantage specific sectors. 

As drafted, Bill C69 could lead to greater uncertainty in the assessment and review processes. The new bill requires assessment and decisions based on broad public policy questions that are beyond the scope of individual projects. It introduces longer timelines, and vague criteria that will increase the risk of legal challenges. Additionally, it gives the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada broad discretionary powers, which could further increase uncertainty for major infrastructure projects

Unless these issues are resolved, the legislation will increase regulatory uncertainty for many of Canada’s resource sectors and their related industries.  This uncertainty will deter investment and undermine economic growth and job creation.  Attempting to deal with the diversity of projects covered by the legislation with a one-size-fits-all legislative solution is doomed to fail.  To achieve its intended purpose, Bill C69 must be flexible enough to address the unique circumstances of all of our resource and infrastructure projects from ports, mining and utilities, to oil and gas, among others. 

Subsequently, the Oakville Chamber is joining other Chambers across the country to call on the government to make amendments to Bill C-69 that will institute a regulatory process that allows for certainty, predictability and transparency to the Bill. This requires clear deadlines, keeping larger national policy discussion separate from the technical project reviews, and respecting provincial jurisdictions.  We are calling on the government to get our energy resources to tidewater, starting by recognizing that the Trans-Mountain Expansion is in the national interest and by expediting its construction in uncontested jurisdictions. 

Pipeline delays and cancellations, open-ended and expensive consultation processes, and general project uncertainty have already scared off a great deal of investment capital and have put many projects at risk.

If this bill is passed without significant amendments, it will create enormous uncertainty, more red tape and increased court challenges. Not only for the energy sector but for virtually every major infrastructure project in Canada for years to come, threatening our economic prosperity.

In a global business environment, it is critical that our regulatory systems balance economic growth with environmental protection and that our elected government create the conditions for that sustainable growth.

– Faye Lyons, Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy





Oakville Chamber is proud to support the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program

February 6, 2019  



The Oakville Chamber of Commerce is pleased to partner with MNP and other local stakeholders for the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program. We are dedicated to building the communities where we live and work and the local entrepreneurs we serve.

Recognizing the importance of mentorship for growing businesses, this program provides entrepreneurs with the support, advice and tools they need to succeed in a rapidly-changing business environment.

We encourage entrepreneurs to check their eligibility and apply before the March 25, 2019 application deadline.

To learn more about the program, visit www.MNP.ca/futureleaders