Business & Community News
PEC Chamber of Commerce
selects Lesley Lavender for Executive Director
PICTON, November 26, 2018 – Sandra Latchford, Chair of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce (PECCC) announced today that following an extensive recruitment process the board has appointed Lesley Lavender, a Wellington resident, to the position of Executive Director. Lavender has been the Director of Community Development and Special Projects at ROC for the past 4 years, helping to launch the Prince Edward County Youth Centre. The ROC is a local charity that provides programs and mentorship for all youth in Prince Edward County.
 
“Hiring someone with Lesley’s experience and knowledge of the local scene is a clear example of the Chamber’s determination to generate momentum and positive impact for our members’ businesses while maintaining our quality of life here,” said Sandra Latchford, PECCC Board Chair and Chair of the Executive Director Hiring Committee. “We interviewed several candidates and were very impressed with the high quality of the people we met, but Lesley stood out for her experience, marketing savvy and ability to create and expand relationships with members, the media and the County tourism industry.”
 
The PECCC Executive Director Hiring Committee included Sandra Latchford, Penny Rolinski, Katy Mitchell and Philip Bender.
 
“We found Lesley to be engaging, energetic, experienced, and connected to a variety of industries, tourism advocates and business leaders across Prince Edward County,” said Penny Rolinski. “Her presence in the community, knowledge of local government and connections with our local commerce make her a perfect fit for this position. The PECCC Board of Directors knows that her enthusiasm and experience will propel the Chamber to new heights.”
 
Lavender has been the Community Development Director for the ROC since 2014. She worked to develop the creative strategy for the agency, designed communications to appeal to market segments, oversaw marketing, and social media; grant writing, program development and managed public relations, partnerships and industry relationships, among other duties for the ROC. From 2012-2018 Lesley was on the board of directors of The County Foundation. She is actively engaged in the community, her children’s school and sports activities.
 
“I have long had an affection for The County and the creative, authentic people here,” said Lavender. “As I went through the interview process with the Chamber, I found the honest portrayal of the challenges and the opportunities ahead to be very exciting. I was particularly struck by the desire to reach the right balance between a vital economy and preserving and enjoying the quality of life Prince Edward County offers. I look forward to doing some great things together.”
 
Lesley will begin her tenure as PECCC Executive Director on January 7th, 2019.
 
Contact: Sandra Latchford at (613) 922-2139 or email sandral@unb.ca
Call for Director Nominations
The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce is seeking individuals interested in the volunteer position of "Director" with the Chamber's Board of Directors.
The Board is looking for individuals who will bring the best mix of broad business experience, skills and spirit of service to guide the organization going forward. It is committed to ensuring that the Chamber delivers relevant content, events, and support for the business community.
If you are interested in being a Director, click here for a nomination application form
Deadline to apply is January 31, 2019 by 4 pm
Member of the week
Welcome Augustus House B&B to the Chamber Network! Experience luxury and comfort in this historic home in the village of Wellington with modern amenities such as a Tesla charger on site. Click logo above for info.
Member of the month
Congratulations to The Regent Theatre on their 100th year Anniversary!
  Click image above for more info.
Chamber News & Info
*Click on Images Below for Details
Inaugural Council meeting set for Regent Theatre
Picton, ON – The newly elected Council will take centre stage on Tuesday, December 4.
The Regent Theatre in Picton will play host to the inaugural meeting of Council beginning at 7 pm.
“Because we were elected to represent people across Prince Edward County, we want to share this special occasion with as many of them as possible,” says Steve Ferguson, Mayor-elect for the County of Prince Edward.
The councillors taking the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Elected Office that evening alongside Mayor-elect Ferguson include: Kate MacNaughton and Phil St-Jean (Ward 1 Picton), Phil Prinzen and Brad Nieman (Ward 2 Bloomfield/Hallowell), Mike Harper (Ward 3 Wellington), Janice Maynard, Bill McMahon, and Andreas H. Bolik (Ward 4 Ameliasburgh), Jamie Forrester (Ward 5 Athol), Bill Roberts (Ward 6 Sophiasburgh), Ernie Margetson (Ward 7 Hillier), Stewart Bailey (Ward 8 North Marysburgh), and John Hirsch (Ward 9 South Marysburgh).
A reception in the lobby of the Regent Theatre will happen immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.
“For 100 years, the Regent Theatre has brought together our community in celebration. We looking forward to being a part of that strong tradition,” Mayor-elect Ferguson says.
There is no cost to attend the inaugural meeting at the Regent Theatre (224 Picton Main Street). Unreserved seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
If you require more information, please contact Karen Frigault, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, at 613.476.2148 ext. 1002 or email kfrigault@pecounty.on.ca .
On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, we released our new report,  Within Our Control: Improving the Regulation of Business-Indigenous Peoples’ Relationships .
From trade agreements to tax reductions and regulatory streamlining, our major trading partners have us on the competitive hot seat. Our attractiveness as a place in which to invest is slipping due to our relatively high and complex taxes, compounded by a regulatory environment that is unpredictable. 
We have to be prepared to make changes to ensure businesses remain competitive and Canada continues to be an attractive place to invest, start businesses and create the jobs upon which our economic and social well-being depend.
In this report, we focus on a relatively narrow yet critical area of federal regulation: the relationships between businesses and Indigenous peoples. We can no longer afford to have arcane laws and regulations holding Indigenous peoples and businesses back.
Click here to read the full report.
PARTIAL ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION DECISION
On November 23, the Government of Canada made the decision to allow partial accelerated depreciation as announced in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement. The OCC applauds the Government of Canada’s decision. This will allow businesses to expense more of their assets in the same year they are purchased will drive investment in our economy and create a stronger, more prosperous Ontario. Read our statement here . 
On November 21st, the federal government released the Fall Economic Update, which contains a number of important measures to address Canada’s competitiveness gap with other countries, but more urgently needs to be done.
Faster write-offs for new investment, regulatory reform and concrete actions to accelerate the removal of barriers to trade within Canada are all important steps in the right direction, and we applaud the government’s initiatives in these areas. Specifically, we welcome the government's commitment to regulatory reform, as it reflects some of the core elements of our report, Death by 130,000 Cuts: Improving Canada’s Regulatory Competitiveness .
While the measures announced today will help address Canada’s competitiveness challenges, the Canadian Chamber remains concerned over a number of issues that have not been addressed, such as their lack of commitment to a full review of our tax system or set out a clear, realistic strategy for balancing the public books. 
We will continue to work with the federal government to ensure the voice of the business community is heard in order to build a more prosperous Canada where all Canadians have the opportunity to succeed.
 
To read our full statement, click here .
To read our full policy analysis of the Fall Economic Update, click here
Grants that support the evidence-based development of activities to achieve a
Priority Outcome 
Youth Innovations Stream

The Youth Innovations Stream invests in the work of grassroots groups that are youth-led or youth-adult partnerships by funding projects that test an idea or grow a successful project. Through this stream, YOF provides young people facing systemic barriers with the resources they need to design and deliver inspiring solutions to issues that matter to them. Learn more about the Youth Opportunities Fund's other funding streams , or visit the  YOF Resources page for more information.
Deadline Dec 11/18
10 Ways to Build a Canada that Wins:
2019 Election Edition

For the past seven years the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has published the 10 Ways to Build a Canada that Wins (formerly the Top 10 Barriers to Canadian Competitiveness).
 
This report, which is read widely by decision-makers in government and elsewhere, articulates a series of clear priorities and objectives that, if addressed, will give Canada a competitive edge, improve productivity and grow the economy.
 
It is key that the 10 Ways to Build a Canada that Wins reflects the views of businesses big and small throughout Canada — and specificially in Prince Edward County, especially in an election year. That is why, this year, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Hill+Knowlton Strategies on this feedback exercise. 
 
Please click on the button below to participate in this five-to-10-minute confidential feedback survey:
The Bay of Quinte Chambers present Tuscany & the Italian Riviera
Chamber Trip to Egypt & Dubai with Indus Tours
Start-Up Basics
Counselling to address challenges for Small Business
Starter Plus Grant Program
Various Workshops available at www.smallbusinessctr.com
Member Benefit Information
If your company is interested in Chamber Group Benefits please contact Matt Howell at 613-771-0403 for details.
Community Information
*Click on images below for more info
This is the last weekend for Wassail!
WASSAIL IN THE COUNTY 2018 PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY WINERIES
 
SATURDAY & SUNDAY  
DECEMBER 1 & 2
Click Image Above for Info
Pirouette 4/20 by Jeremy Guy
Oeno Gallery
Form. Figure. Gesture.
1 December 2018 — 27 January 2019

This exhibition introduces the work of Peterborough sculptor, Rod Mireau. It also features a fresh series of haunting figurative work by Peter Hoffer, small paintings just arrived from the studio of Jennifer Hornyak, and newly released work from Scott Pattison. Glass sculptures by John Robinson and Cheryl Wilson Smith and recent works by Jeremy Guy round out the exhibition. What they all share is a preoccupation with line and form, with figures that dance between representation and abstraction, and the serendipity of finding meaning in the spontaneous gesture.