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TRANSCRIPT
action! online
In this issue...• Workplace Time Loss record changes -- for the better!• 5 things to know about Census 2016 ... and more!
The Voice of Business in Saskatchewan
Get in Touch Tel: 306.352.2671Email: [email protected]
Social Media www.facebook.com/saskchamberwww.twitter.com/SaskChamber
May, 2016 edition
Make a Connection Reception is an opportunity for Chamber members from across the province to meet with senior government officials, including Deputy Ministers, Chiefs of Staff and Crown Corporation Presidents.
This reception is a comfortable and casual opportunity to establish and reaffirm good working relationships between government officials and the business community.
The number of tickets available is limited. Visit www.saskchamber.com today to register!
Table of Contents3 CEO’s Message
5 SCC Succession Plan video debuts
6 Gold Eagle staff receives Service Excellence Award
6 SaskCareers Update
7 Calendar Corner
8 Members in the News
10 Advocacy in Action
11 New SCC Staff
11 Ipad draw winner (photo)
13 Workplace Time Loss Injury rates drop
13 Census 2016 facts
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IT’S THE LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE
2016!
THE DEADLINE IS MAY 6 - IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO, VISIT
WWW.SASKCHAMBER.COM TODAY TO REGISTER!
CEO’s MessageAmid the negativity, some good news stories
To start off, I’d like to admit that I realize there are real and significant issues with Saskatchewan’s economy. While I believe it’s a cyclical downturn which will eventually rise again, it’s not a comfortable place to be. In fact, we haven’t been here for over a decade.
The pain is being felt both economically and personally in the boardrooms and the cash registers across the province.
Structurally, our economy is solid. We simply find ourselves in the situation of having too many commodities on the downturn at once. Thank goodness for agriculture, as it’s keeping us afloat in many ways.
So what do we do? I suggest not simply opting for a ‘wait and see’ attitude, because the stagnation will get you before you see a full recovery. The key is to shake off the doldrums and get busy. Here is my top list of actions to motivate your operation, your staff and build your markets in this down time.
1. Hire summer students – give them a wide range of hard work to do. Ask them to give you new ideas on process, products and services.
2. Retrain your staff. Use the Canada Saskatchewan Job Grant to fund up to 66% of the cost and get your people ready for the upswing.
3. Perform a deep dive on your operation – spring cleaning, in a wider sense. What no longer makes sense? What markets don’t deliver, and why?
4. Think long term, but act short term. Do a plan for the next 24 months. Ensure your plans are clear and defined, to be prepared for the rush.
5. Remember to serve today’s customers better than ever.
6. Google ‘disruptive technologies’ for your sector, and embrace them. If you are a hotel or taxi service, learning how to deal with Airbnb or Uber is mandatory.
7. Celebrate and compensate for great ideas, or even good ideas. Base hits win more games than home runs, and all are worth recognition. Consider cash or benefits for staffers or customers who offer great ideas.
8. Ghost shop your neighbours and competitors. While your inclination may be to hunker down in your office going over financials or tying yourself to the till, get out and see what others are doing.
9. Hire a student! (Yes, I know this was also #1 above, but they need jobs and work experience, and you need fresh ideas. Make sure you use their brains and brawn so you both win.
10. Finally – “Stay calm and Saskatchewan on”. Go see our great province this summer, and learn what Saskatchewan tourists have known for decades.
Saskatchewan IS a fabulous place to live, work, and invest.
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Have you seen our new video “15 REASONS WHY your business may not sell... for what you think it is worth”?
Produced by the SCC with content from Beyond Wealth Management, the video provides insight into issues which may negatively affect the sale value of a business.
Invest a few minutes today to watch it, at http://ow.ly/10zWDT.
SUCCESSION PLANNING
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Congratulations to Laura Zary-Jackson of the Gold Eagle Lodge in North Battleford, who won the Service Excellence Award (sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce) at the 27th annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala. Pictured here with Ms. Zary-Jackson is (L) Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce incoming Chair for 2016-17, Shawna Nelson.
SaskCareers is taking off!
The service which connects job seekers with businesses looking for qualified workers saw 2,083,434 pageviews from 68,571 unique individual users to the site over a 7.5 month period (September 2015 - April 2016).
These are HUGE results, and we’re pleased to be a supporter of this excellent initiative.
As well, there have been over 82,000 sessions from Saskatchewan students from grades 10-12 who have used the MyBlueprint site in conjunction with SaskCareers, as part of the curriculum.
If you haven’t registered your business with SaskCareers, take a moment to do so today! There’s no cost, and it could be a future connector to very valuable employees!
Visit http://www.saskcareers.com to join SaskCareers!
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SCC Annual ConferenceMay 11th and 12th
Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon HotelSaskatoonRegistration: http://chambermaster.saskchamber.com/events/details/scc-annual-conference-2016-254
Make a Connection ReceptionJune 2nd
RCMP Heritage CentreReginaRegistration: http://chambermaster.saskchamber.com/events/details/make-a-connection-reception-2016-255
ABEXOctober 22nd
TCU PlaceSaskatoonRegistration: http://chambermaster.saskchamber.com/events/details/abex-awards-2016-248
Innovation WorkshopMay 19th
Innovation Place, 111 Research Dr., Saskatoon, SKMore information: www.economicdevelopmentregina.com/innovation-skillsInformation/registration: email [email protected]
Estevan Trade, Transportation & Technology Conference 2016May 18th
Estevan, SKInformation/registration: https://tradetranstechconference.wordpress.com
Emerging Labour Force Trends 2016 - Boom Bust & EchoMay 26thQueensbury Convention Centre, Regina, SKInformation/registration: [email protected], 306.757.4645
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Members in The News
By Elissa LaLiberte, Director of Membership Engagement
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to congratulate Dan Cardinal, Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel for being selected as the Tourism Employee of the Year at the 27th Annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards. Dan Cardinal has been greeting guests at the Sheraton for 47 years. To read more about Dan and about the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards for excellence click here.
Tim Gitzel, CEO, Cameco was named Canada’s Resource Champion by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Gitzel was nominated by Kent Smith-Windsor, Executive Director, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce for being an industry leader in building relationships with people and communities in northern Saskatchewan. You can learn more about the nomination here.
Safety is of the utmost importance to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, and clearly is also top of mind for several of our members. Please join us in recognizing Lanny Storey, AREVA Resources Canada Inc. for being the 2016 WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Worker.
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association has named Susan Ewart as its executive director. Susan is replacing former executive director, Al Rosseker. Best of luck to Al in his future endeavors, we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the Saskatchewan Trucking Association. Welcome, Susan!
The Saskatoon International Airport (YXE) was awarded the Airport Council International award for the Most Improved Airport in North America in 2015. “Saskatoon International Airport is committed to be the most valued airport
experience in Canada,” says Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of Saskatoon Airport Authority. “Together with our airport partners, we have made significant strides in improving service quality to be acknowledged as the Most Improved Airport in North America. To read the media release click here.
Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) is celebrating 20 years! Chris Dekker, President and CEO of STEP says “STEP members have a proven ability to produce goods and services the world wants to buy. Over the years, we’ve seen our members not only increase their business in established markets, but also make major inroads in new markets. We are proud to support their efforts, which have created thousands of jobs and generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the provincial economy.” To learn more about STEP and their 20th Anniversary click here.
The Best Workplaces 2016 Canada list was announced in April. This competition relies on feedback from employees; two-thirds of the total score is generated from an employee survey while the remainder comes from a review of the organization’s culture, including human resources policies. Hill +Knowlton StrategiesTD Bank GroupRBCEYScotiabankBMO Financial GroupSaskCentral (Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan)Online Business SystemsMcDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited
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Members in The News cont’d
Last month’s action! online featured Canada’s Best Managed Companies, this month let’s celebrate Saskatchewan’s Top Employers. Click on each company below to learn more about why they were chosen:Access Communications Co-operative LtdCameco CorporationFederated Co-operatives LimitedGroup Medical Services/GMS Insurance Inc.Information Services Corporation/ISCInnovation Credit UnionISM CanadaK+S Potash Canada GPMosaic Company, TheParkland CollegePotash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.Saskatchewan Government Insurance/SGISaskatchewan Research CouncilSaskatchewan Workers’ Compensation BoardSaskPowerSaskTelSeed Hawk Inc.Solvera SolutionsUniversity of ReginaUniversity of SaskatchewanWest Wind Aviation Limited Partnership
Several factors are considered by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.
Kendal Netmaker and Neechie Gear Inc. were tagged on Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau’s Instagram post last week. Click here to view the Prime Minister’s post.
CONGRATULATIONSto the winners of the
2016 Saskatchewan Polytechnic President’s Partnership Awards!
Alumni Partnership Award Brad Darbyshire
Industry Partnership Award Husky Energy
Program Partnership AwardSaskatchewan Wildlife Federation
Thank you to our sponsors:
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ADVOCACY in ACTIONBy Curtis Hemming, Director of Government Relations
Now that the April 4th provincial election has passed, with very few changes to the seating chart at the Legislature, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is going to be getting on with the rest of its advocacy events and activities for the year.
As you will have noticed over recent months, the SCC promoted its own election platform document called OnTrack 2016, which was crafted from the many policy resolutions that our Expert Committees and member businesses submit. Many of these issues will continue to be the ones that the Chamber advocates on now that the election is over.
Since there do not appear to be any post-election changes to the provincial Cabinet scheduled to take place (at least not until after the Budget is released in June), there will be some continuity in what the various Ministers know about the SCC’s positions on issues.
However, with there being some new SaskParty and NDP MLAs, we are considering holding a
breakfast at the Legislature with all of the newly elected representatives over the next few months to provide them with an overview of some of the most important issues and projects the Chamber is working on.
Two important events will also be taking place over at the Legislature in the next couple months: the Speech from the Throne on May 17th, and the release of the provincial Budget on June 1st.
The SCC will be in the Legislature for both events and will also be participating in the media scrums that follow. As in past years, we will try to do a variety of interviews with radio, television, and print reporters and will also take a closer look at the Throne Speech and Budget documents afterwards to see what their impact will be on the business community.
We will continue to use our many advocacy-related events throughout the year to promote our positions as well. Whether it is our Make a Connection Reception, Provincial Political Forum,
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the Chair’s Invitational Dinner, or other events throughout the year, they all have significant roles in helping us to share the views of our members and Saskatchewan’s business community with elected officials and those who work within government.
In regard to our upcoming Make a Connection Reception, it will be held on June 2nd this year at the RCMP Heritage Centre. This event is an opportunity for our members to meet with Deputy Ministers from the provincial government, as well as Assistant Deputy Ministers, Chiefs of Staff, and Crown Corporation CEOs. While this is a less formal
event than our annual Political Forum in January, it is just as important because the people who attend this event are the ones that implement the policy decisions made by our MLAs.
To continue having timely positions on issues to discuss with politicians and government officials however, it is important that we continue to conduct research and create policy resolutions on issues of importance to our members. As always, if you have any thoughts about what future research projects or issues the Saskatchewan Chamber should be looking at, please contact us here at the office.
ADVOCACY in ACTION cont’d
A new face at the Saskatchewan Chamber
Paul Huber is the Sask Chamber’s new communication coordinator, who will fill in for Director of Communications, Dawn M. Barker during a sabbatical. Dawn will continue as Director on a part-time basis through the summer months, then will be upgrading her education in September, returning in May 2017.
Paul comes to us from the publishing world, having previously been the associate publisher for Saskatchewan’s Business & Industry Magazine. Paul brings to the Chamber an interesting educational
background with a bachelors degree in politics from the University of Saskatchewan and a masters degree in international relations from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany.
Paul grew up outside Lumsden on an acreage. His parents, Larry and Linda Huber, were teachers in the Regina Public School Division. Paul has two brothers and a sister: Trevor the oldest is a civil engineer in Calgary, Jennifer is a grade three teacher at Dr. Hanna elementary school in Regina, and Michael is a mortgage broker in Kelowna. Today, Paul likes to stay active with a variety of activities. He plays guitar in a local band called Picture Radio. He is involved with different sports
including: rec hockey, soccer, and slo pitch.
One of Paul Huber’s first duties was to present an Ipad Air 2 to Vicki Radons of Partner Technologies Inc. Vicki won when she registered Partner Technologies with SaskCareers during a promo this spring. The draw was sponsored by Sask Chamber. Enjoy the Ipad, Vicki!
MEMBERSHIP Central
By Jesse Chatterson, Director of Membership Sales
Pharmacy Association of SaskatchewanReginawww.skpharmacists.ca
Welcome to our new members!
Benchmark Public RelationsReginawww.benchmarkpr.ca
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Thank you to our members who renewed last month!
Your continued support of the Chamber movement makes it possible for us to achieve on your behalf, and we want you to know we appreciate you as members!• 2Web Designs Inc.• Shermco Industries• Kennibar Resources• Canalta Hotels• Nomad Capital Corp.• Ken Cugnet Farms• Webb’s Office Equipment• Bayer Crop Science• Success Office Systems• University of Regina• Credit Union Centre• G&C Asphalt• Riviera Motor Inn• Nexans Canada• Saskatchewan Land Surveyors• Canadian Western Bank• Altus Group• Canpulse Foods• Community Futures Saskatchewan• Sifto Canada• John Becker Consulting• EECOL Electric• Dr. Majak Beny• CTV• Iron Mountain• Ted Matheson Men’s Wear• Praxis Analytics
Thanks to our returning members!
• Conseil De La Cooperation de la Saskatchewan• Prairie Oasis Tourist Complex• Cornerstone Credit Union• PAPP Digital Signs• Innovation Place• Axon Development Corp• Yorkton Dodge• Sunrise Wellness Spa• PWP Holdings• Rosenau Transport• Crowe MacKay• RCMP Heritage Centre• Herperger Farms• Fries Tallman Lumber• NWL• LB Distillers• Saskatchewan Assoc. of HR Professionals• Kindersley Clarion• Safety Assoc. of Saskatchewan Manufacturers• Synergy Credit Union• RBC Financial Group• Cuelenaere Kendall Katzman & Richards• Nicor Developments• Assoc of Consulting Engineering Companies -
Saskatchewan• Dr. Mahmood
Saskatchewan Egg ProducersReginawww.saskegg.ca
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Five things you should know about the Canadian Census
Long-form? Short-form? Mandatory? Voluntary? So much to know, so little time. The census begins on May 2nd this year and some Canadians may find the process a bit confusing given recent changes to the national tally. Set yourself up for census success by separating fact from fiction with these myth busters:
• The census is mandatory. All Canadians must complete their census questionnaire, either online, through the mail, in person or by phone. The mandatory long-form census replaces the previous voluntary household survey, as of November 2015.
• There are two types of census questionnaires. Three out of four Canadians will receive a short-form census with 10 questions, while one out of four will receive a long-form census with 60 questions. The short-form census provides basic household information such as address, marital status and number of children, while the long-form census digs deeper into things like citizenship and immigration status, ethnic background, birthplace of parents, education, income, housing, child care and other support payments, and employment status.
• The census measures more than just the number of people in Canada and where they live. Data collected from the census are used to make life easier for people and the communities where they live. For example, things like traffic congestion, overcrowded schools or new or improved hospitals and retirement centres can all be addressed using information from the census.
• Your information is protected. Everything you report is kept confidential and is protected by law. Your identity gets separated from your information and is never attached to it again. Take note of the secure access code on your census letter from Statistics Canada, which you should receive on or around May 2. This code is one of the measures in place to ensure you can securely complete your census questionnaire online.
• The results of the census are released in 2017. Data from the 2016 Census will be released in a very timely fashion. The first data release (for population and dwelling counts) is scheduled for February 8, 2017.
The actual questions, and other information, about the 2016 Census can be found on the Statistics Canada website, at http://www.statcan.gc.ca.
Workplace Time Loss Injury Rate in Saskatchewan improving
After two decades of holding the dubious honour of being the second highest province in Canada in terms of time loss injury rates, Saskatchewan’s Workers Compensation Board recently announced that the score had improved, moving the province to 4th highest across the country, a result better than the WCB’s target for the year.
In an interview with the Leader Post’s Will Chabun, Gord Dobrowolsky, chairman of the WCB Board of Directors, described the improvement as significant. “We’ve gone from second to fourth, which is not just ‘baby steps’. It’s huge”, he said.
Manitoba remains the worst in Canada in terms of time loss injury rates, with BC, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut holding time loss rate records which exceeded those of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s rates are slightly above those of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This was the 13th straight year that the rate had dropped, bringing the WCB closer to Mission:Zero, which is to eliminate all workplace injuries.
Congratulations to the WCB on its success in moving the province toward Mission:Zero, and congratulations to all the employers and employees who are living and breathing workplace safety each and every day!
action! online is a monthly membership e-publication of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
CHAMBER STAFF
Steve [email protected]
Marilyn LeierExecutive [email protected]
Cindy WrightDirector of Special [email protected]
Kristin McKee (currently on leave)Director of Policy [email protected]
Curtis HemmingDirector of Government [email protected]
Jesse ChattersonDirector of Member [email protected]
Elissa LaLiberteDirector of Membership [email protected]
Dawn M. BarkerDirector of [email protected]
Paul HuberCommunications [email protected]
1630 - 1920 Broad Street • Regina, SK S4P 3V2 • www.saskchamber.com
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair - Randy Beattie (PFM Capital Inc.) 1st Vice-Chair - Shawna Nelson (Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon) 2nd Vice-Chair - Patricia Warsaba (McKercher LLP) Immediate Past-Chair - Bruce Anderson (b-creative group)
Directors - Trina Warren (MNP LLP) Greg Hanwell (Beer Bros. Gastropub & Deli) Sean Young (Young’s Equipment) Clayton Veresh (MNP LLP) Monica Kreuger (Global Infobrokers Inc.) Kendal Netmaker (Neechie Gear) Peter Clarke (Seed Hawk Inc.) Ricardo Silva Michael Cossar