April 25, 2013 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
InterContinental Yorkville | 220 Bloor St. W | Toronto, ON

Last March, Prime Minister Harper and Japanese Prime Minister Noda announced the formal launch of talks towards a comprehensive and high-level Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between both nations. The first full round of negotiations came to a productive conclusion in November, with the second round set for this spring. This agreement is projected to boost Canadian exports to Japan by 67 per cent and increase GDP by US$3.8 billion, and would be the first trade agreement between Japan and another G8 country.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan and Keidanren, was pleased to host a high-level symposium with Canadian and Japanese business leaders and trade officials. The event promoted awareness and understanding of the potential and way forward for an ambitious and balanced agreement that will lead to stronger, more formalized trade relations with Japan.

Through a series of keynote presentations and expert panels, participants heard candid perspectives on the EPA from government officials, industry associations and companies from both countries. In addition to cross-cutting issues affecting the Canada-Japan relationship, the discussions covered opportunities and barriers to bilateral business in a number of key sectors, such as energy, forestry, manufacturing, life sciences, financial services and agri-food.

Download the complete program.

Read in-depth commentary from experts and panelists, brought to you by the Canadian International Council.

Read the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 report on the potential for a Canada-Japan trade agreement.

Check-out interviews with panellists by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. (Interviews coming soon)

Read Perrin Beatty’s op-ed on why Canada should prioritize an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan.

Presentations

Panel 1: Manufacturing and Technology

• Toshihiro Iwatake, Executive Director and Secretary General, JAMA Tokyo
• Joe Loparco, Chairman, Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association;
  Co-President, AGS Automotive Systems
• Mike Egli, President and CEO, Takeda Canada

Special Remarks

• Donald A. Guloien, President and CEO, Manulife Financial

Panel 2: Natural Resources and Agriculture

• Brian Frank, CEO, TimberWest
• Ron Bonnett, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
• Hirofumi Kobayashi, General Manager, Agricultural Policy Department,
  JA Zenchu

For further information, contact:
Marley Ransom | Event Planner | 613.238.4000 (227) | mransom@chamber.ca

We would like to thank our sponsors:

Diamond

Platinum

Gold

Thank You

Supporting Organizations

Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association
Canada-Japan Society
Canadian Federation of Agriculture
JA Zenchu
Japan External Trade Organization
Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce & Industry
The Japan Society

Content Partners

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its nationwide network of local chambers of commerce and corporate and association members have identified Canada’s top 10 barriers to competitiveness and are actively implementing initiatives to address these issues, promote economic growth and drive prosperity.

Two important barriers to Canada’s competitiveness are its growing skills gap and its poor innovation performance. The Competitive Edge will be a prime opportunity for business leaders to address these issues and to learn of innovative ways to upgrade the skills of their existing workforce and attract the resources—human and otherwise—they need to ensure the ongoing success of their businesses and the long term prosperity of their communities.

Keynote Speaker

The Competitive Edge will feature two sessions that will highlight real-life practices and success stories in skills and economic development through innovative ideas, unconventional strategies and creative partnerships. The first session, Upskilling to Compete, will demonstrate how Canada’s skills shortage can be addressed through sound relationships with academia and employer-sponsored training programs. The second session, Innovative Approaches to Employment Opportunities and Economic Development, will feature cooperative initiatives that are fostering economic growth for both businesses and communities within York Region—initiatives that are transferrable to any city in Canada.

Agenda-at-a-Glance

Featured Speakers

In addition to the keynote speakers, participants will hear from business and academic leaders, including:

• Hon. Perrin Beatty, President & CEO, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Sheldon Levy, President, Ryerson University
• David Agnew, President, Seneca College
• Dan Fortin, President, IBM Canada
• Dr. David Williams, President & CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre
• Jeremy Laurin, CEO, ventureLAB
• Karen Dubeau, Vice-President, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

Tickets

$100 + HST

Click here to register.

Contact

Marley Ransom | Event Planner | 613.238.4000 (227) | mransom@chamber.ca

Held annually, the Competitive Edge is a conference where business and thought leaders connect to tackle a key issue affecting Canadian competitiveness and to exchange ideas, strategies and solutions for putting Canadian businesses in the best position to succeed at home and globally.

We would like to thank our sponsors for their
generous support.

Diamond

Platinum

Gold

Silver

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Grant Thornton LLP have teamed up to present the Private Business Growth Award.

The Private Business Growth Award seeks to recognize and celebrate dynamic, privately-held businesses whose growth strategy encompasses a broad range of activities across their business, such as:

• innovation, including new ways of working
• product and service development, including introducing new products or streamlining existing ones
• expansion into new domestic or international markets
• development of people and culture—helping employees learn and develop
• improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of internal processes
• improvements in stakeholder relations
• improvements in financial measures or governance
• leadership through reason and instinct to grow the business

Nominations for this award are open to Canadian-owned, privately-held businesses with annual revenues over $5 million. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 30, 2013 and all submissions must be received by Oct. 11, 2013. Finalists will be announced at the end of October.

The winning business will receive a specially-commissioned Private Business Growth Award commemorative trophy, and up to three representatives from the winning company will be celebrated as the guests of honour at a gala dinner in Toronto on Nov. 19, 2013. The winning business will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and accounting and/or advisory services from Grant Thornton LLP, valued at $10,000.

For more information on the Private Business Growth Award or to download the nomination form, please visit PrivateBusinessGrowthAward.com.

Details of the award dinner on Nov. 19 will be made available in the fall.

The key to unlocking customs… The ATA Carnet!

Next to your passport, an ATA Carnet is the most important business travel document you can have. It allows the temporary importation of a variety of goods into 71 countries worldwide, with more joining every year.

Among others, its most significant benefit is the ability to enter foreign countries without the need to pay duties and taxes upon importation and claiming refunds upon re-exportation*.

This is an opportunity for Canadian businesses to learn about the Carnet Program and its benefits.

Don’t wait to register… delays at the border can be costly! A customs expert will be available to address issues and provide guidance.

Sessions - To register, click on the seminar location.

Ottawa (ON), May 7
Calgary (AB), May 15
Vancouver (BC), May 16
Montreal-Fr. (QC), May 28 - Sold out
Toronto (ON), June 4
Quebec City (QC), June 11

Agenda

Click here to download the program.

As a bonus, a brief demonstration on the online system to obtain Certificates of Origin will follow the carnet segment.

For more information, please contact us at 1-800-661-2930 or email us at carnet@chamber.ca.

* Some conditions apply.

June 12, 2013

Attracting and retaining skilled workers in a tightening labour market is a major concern for many employers. Labour market information (LMI) can help them address that concern. For businesses looking to expand or adjust to market changes, LMI is valuable to making business and location decisions.

Employers are especially interested in the labour market information for their community and want to understand the availability of workers, the current market conditions and where to find workers with specific skills. LMI can support all those needs and assist with human resource planning. Unfortunately, many employers have difficulties finding the LMI they need to support their decision-making.

This webinar will address these challenges and needs and will help you access data that will allow you to find the skilled workers your business needs. Experts from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada will take you on a step-by-step tour of the LMI resources available on WorkingInCanada.gc.ca and JobBank.gc.ca. Presenters will give you an overview of what data exists and where it comes from, known gaps and work currently underway to improve LMI and its dissemination. They will also show you how to use the tools available online and answer any questions you may have.

We hope you will join us for this informative session.

Presenters

• Jean-François Bussières, Senior Policy Strategist
• Annie Champagne, Senior Project Analyst

Working in Canada and Job Bank Division
Skills and Employment Branch
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Register here

Contact

Angela Roy | aroy@chamber.ca

The Ottawa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host the learn ‘How The Federal Government Can Help Your Business’ webinar.

Presented in partnership with Industry Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Click here for more information.

Sept. 28-30 | Delta Grand Okanagan | Kelowna, BC

Our AGM is the chamber network’s must-attend event of the year. At the AGM, you’ll get plugged into the latest developments, trends and issues that are important to the Canadian business community and you’ll develop solutions that will break down the barriers that are holding Canadian businesses back, setting our policy agenda for the upcoming year.

Registration and programming information will be posted shortly.

Travel and Accommodation

Hotel Room Rates

We have set aside a block of rooms at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre. To take advantage of the conference rates, please reserve your room by August 27. Please note that our conference rates are available from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2.

Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre
1310 Water Street

Mode Room (king or two queen beds): $209
Mode Lakeview Room (king or two queen beds): $234
Mode Deluxe Room (king bed): $239
Mode Club (king bed): $274

The above rates do not include taxes.

To reserve your hotel room, please call 1.800.465.4651 and quote AGM 2013, or you may reserve your room online at http://www.deltagrandokanagan.com/g0924cana001.

Tourism

Nestled in the mountains on a glorious lake and in close proximity to orchards, vineyards and golf courses, Kelowna is the perfect place to either arrive early or stay beyond the AGM. For more information on what to see and do in Kelowna, please visit Tourism Kelowna’s website at Tourismkelowna.com or visit the Kelowna Chamber’s website at KelownaChamber.org/cccagm2013.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for our AGM. View our sponsorship package for more information on how your company can contribute to the success of this national event, or contact Michael Nixon at mnixon@chamber.ca, 416.868.6415 (232).

Canadian Chambers Competition

Connecting with Educators on the Skills Gap

The skills gap is a leading barrier to competitiveness for Canadian business, and the Canadian business community has told us of a mismatch between the skills of the unemployed and the requirements of current job openings. One of the reasons for this may be because educators are not fully aware of employers’ needs. Chambers of commerce have an important role to play in connecting educators and employers so that schools can properly advise students where the jobs are and what skills they’ll need to do those jobs.

We have created a competition to highlight the initiatives our member chambers are undertaking with schools in their communities and to encourage those chambers that have not yet reached out to their schools to get involved. The winners of the competition will present their projects at our AGM in Kelowna as well as win a free registration to the AGM.

The deadline for submitting your project is July 26. For more information on the competition, please consult the Rules and Regulations or contact Jennifer Hagen at jhagen@chamber.ca.

Contact

Marley Ransom | Event Planner | 613.238.4000 (227) | mransom@chamber.ca