Sask Chamber Annual Report
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2017 ANNUAL REPORT The V oic e of Saskatchewan Business Making Saskatchewan the best place to live, work and invest. 2017 2 SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 3 “This Annual Report is a reflection of the success we share as a Chamber , as members and as a province. It gives you a snapshot of what your investment has provided in the past year or so, and we hope you agree that the return on investment for your business is impressive.” Steve McLellan, Chief Executive Officer TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the CEO 1 Message from the Chair 3 Board of Directors 7 Staff 9 Financials 11 ACCE 17 Canadian Chamber of Commerce 19 Chairs Invitational Dinner 21 Events 25 ABEX Awards 27 Saskatchewan Map 29 Energy Efficiency 33 Carbon Pricing 35 Financial Literacy 37 Committee Restructuring 41 Discover China 43 The Fight Against Federal Tax Changes 45 Education Opportunities 49 Northern Business 51 Environmental Scan 53 Sponsors 58 1 SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the Chief Executive Officer The last year was one for the This Annual Report is a reflection of history books. We fought federal the success we share as a tax changes, experienced the Chamber, as members and as a change in leadership of both the province. It gives you a snapshot of government and opposition parties what your investment has provided and kept up the pressure with in the past year or so, and we hope regards to getting Saskatchewan you agree that the return on businesses a fair deal on carbon investment for your business is emission regulations. And that’s impressive. just some of it! As always, thanks to all our Our focus on the economy, skills members – your opinions and your and immigration, workplace safety, valuable time as part of the and tax policy remains strong. We Saskatchewan business added efforts around mental health community allow us to advocate for and domestic violence training, the success of this province in a focusing on safety in the meaningful way. It’s because of that workplace, with very positive spirit of teamwork that this province results. and your Chamber succeeds. While the view in the rearview All the very best in the next year. mirror is a unique one, it’s nowhere near as impressive or as exciting as the one out the front window. Saskatchewan businesses have been operating on this land for Steve McLellan, centuries and successfully faced Chief Executive Officer challenges head-on and embraced opportunities with continual success. Even with an economy that has changed from a few years ago, confidence remains high. Engagement with the membership remains critical, and we had great success in this area. Event attendance, sponsor support, and policy input were all stellar. While we have changed some of the ways in which we get member input – less committees and more task forces – the input remains strong. SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 5 3 SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the Chair The summer of 2017 was a moving away from the traditional tumultuous time with the expert committees and focusing announcement by the federal our attention on engaging a government of proposed tax representative membership by changes. The changes would have bringing together experts on key negatively impacted tens of issues within a clearly defined thousands of businesses. It was period to create usable advocacy amazing to see the Chamber products. We will focus the network across Canada speak as expertise of our members through one voice, a voice that ultimately 100 day task forces and expert the federal government could not panels to work on key issues as ignore. identified in our ongoing strategic plan. 2017 was the year of the end of an We applaud the development of the “Made in Saskatchewan” era with the announcement from Engagement with our members climate change strategy. Our Premier Wall that he was stepping remains fundamental to the members have been firm that the down after ten years of serving success of our organization and Saskatchewan as its Premier. Chamber should continue to we never forget that it is the voice Premier Wall accomplished much support opposing the of our members that we represent. during his tenure but one of the implementation of a federal carbon The Chair’s Invitational Dinner and most important achievements was pricing program. The Energy the Make a Connection Breakfast the change of attitude he was able Efficiency Task Force formed by are just a few of the events that to instill in all of us. People are now the Chamber in the fall of 2016 allow for dialogue and the sharing positive about Saskatchewan and concluded its recommendations, of expertise among members as its role in the country and the with the primary objectives to well as government officials. world. The increased confidence reduce GHG emissions and to among Saskatchewan businesses increase industry competitiveness. helped Saskatchewan grow into The Chamber continues to the thriving province that it is today. advocate for technological investments and incentives to We welcome Premier Moe and are reduce emissions. Patricia Warsaba, looking forward to continuing the Chair good working relationship between the government and the Chamber, Some internal changes were made as the voice of Saskatchewan with bylaw changes to enhance our business. We are confident that the governance structure. We also consultative process that is the made some significant changes to cornerstone of business−friendly our committee structures, decisions will only be enhanced recognizing that changing times with Premier Moe. means changing demands. We are SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 7 7 SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Board of Directors Patricia Warsaba Shawna Nelson Michael Cossar Clayton Veresh 2017-2018 Chair Immediate Past-Chair 1st Vice-Chair 2nd Vice-Chair McKercher LLP Sheraton Cavalier and The MNP “I’m proud to serve with the James Hotel “I am interested in how great members of the “As the leader of Private powerful the group of “One of the things that really Chamber Board and team, Enterprise for MNP in business people coming drew me to the Chamber who all work hard to serve Southern Saskatchewan, I together can be, and I am was the business the interests of have directly observed the honoured to be chairing the connections and getting to Saskatchewan businesses valuable role the Chamber Voice of Business in know some of the business in both good times and plays in making connections Saskatchewan.” leaders in our community more challenging ones. and voicing the issues that and learning from them.” Steve and his team are matter to Saskatchewan plugged in to Saskatchewan business.” business and collaborate effectively with local chambers.” Bruce Bodine Natashia Stinka Sean Young Director Director Director The Mosaic Company Canpotex Young’s Equipment “The Chamber provides a “The Chamber’s strength is “Everyone benefits from a unique provincial platform its network. These strong, competitive for business to advocate on connections allow it to business environment. The the issues that can have a understand and provide a Chamber’s work to help real impact on how we collective voice on the foster, and improve, a operate. It increases the issues facing climate conducive to likelihood that Saskatchewan’s business business is extremely Saskatchewan industries community. “ important, and being able to will remain competitive, play a small role in that is which is critical for the very rewarding.” growth and wellbeing of our province.” SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 8 Evan Doepker Greg Hanwell Valerie Sluth Khurrum Awan Director Director Director Director Doepker Industries Ltd Beer Bros. Gastropub Praxis Consulting Ltd. Miller Thompson LLP and Deli “The Chamber provides a “Saskatchewan’s business “With the Chamber, I intend powerful voice to advocate “Business is the lifeblood of community is strong and to continue advocating for on behalf of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan, a province successful but we can do policies which will maintain businesses, and where entrepreneurship has so much more to accelerate a vibrant and strong coordinates fantastic forums always been strong. The growth by coming together provincial economy, and it for top notch networking Saskatchewan Chamber under a common voice with provides me with a great opportunities.” exists to give voice to the a clear agenda. This is why opportunity to network with broad needs of all I believe in the work of the other business people Saskatchewan businesses Chamber and contribute my across the province.” big and small.” time to be part of this important organization.” Monica Kreuger Tim Schroh Director Director Global Infobrokers Inc. Affinity Credit Union “The provincial Chamber “What drives me to the has a different focus, has a Chamber of Commerce is broader perspective and is the collective voice, more aligned with member especially around concerns right across the advocacy, and I think that province, not just the big brings back value to the cities and I think that the business community.” perspective we have as a Chamber is crucial.” 9 SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Staff Steve McLellan Michele Geres Curtis Hemming Cindy Wright Chief Executive Officer Executive Assistant & Director of Government Director of Special Events Secretary to the Board Relations Steve is responsible for Cindy is responsible for overseeing operations, Michele is responsible for all Curtis coordinates Chamber coordination and logistics of strategic planning, reporting administrative support to advocacy and lobbying all Saskatchewan Chamber to the Board, representing the CEO and staff. She activities, in addition to events. the Chamber with various coordinates SCC Board leading the Financial organizations, and meetings, elections and Literacy and representing the processes, plus Entrepreneurship files. Saskatchewan Chamber in coordination of the China the media.