_1-10_march:_1-10_jan_2008.qxd 08/03/2011 10:03 AM Page 1 Full Service Law Firm LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Call for a no-obligation consultation 905 452-7400 905.453.0252 • www.evansmartin.com MARCH 2011 CIRCULATION 8000 VOLUME 41 ISSUE 3 THE VOICE OF BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS Premier Loblaw McGuinty Top employer Maple Lodge, on the Membership P2 Greenfield economy drive is on In top 50 P2 P2 P3 Survey Mayor focuses on jobs Jobs and economic development are Says! top priorities for Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell. We recently surveyed our Speaking to a sold-out crowd of membership on a range of issues - a business leaders at The Brampton touchstone to ensure what we are doing Board of Trade’s annual Mayor’s is still relevant. The return sample was luncheon, Fennell said it is time to deal 6.7%, good for these kinds of surveys. with the “new economic reality” and focus on becoming more competitive The response range was representative on the global stage. of our total membership, which is also She talked about our historic reliance helpful. and now the decline in manufacturing To borrow from the recently held and the impact that has had in Oscars and one of its past winners –you Brampton. like us; you really, really like us. “We need to shift our thinking and Not surprising, most of you join the start aggressively competing with the Board of Trade for networking 78%, or best in the world for the jobs of business leads 69%. But 54% also join to tomorrow, the jobs that will fuel a “creative economy,” supporting support the community. Ontario’s position of adopting a You rank our monthly After Business “creative economy” focused on sessions and high profile speakers and “creativity-oriented” or “knowledge- speeches by senior politicians as based” occupations, and moving the important or very important. You also local economy from traditional to think the Santa Claus Parade is very information-age industries. important. Our policy and advocacy “I am committed to making Brampton work is also strongly supported by 70% a hub for the province’s creative of the respondents. economy over the next 10 years, and will continue to do everything in my Continued on Page 2 power to attract the companies and jobs necessary to make that a reality,” said the Mayor. The creative class, as defined by Photo by: Ken Hay Richard Florida, social scientist and Brampton is ideally situated, close to Brampton’s exports.” director of the Martin Prosperity Pearson International Airport, She also said work will begin this year Institute, includes a wide range of downtown Toronto, and all of the major to plan Brampton’s first trade mission occupations such as science, 400-series highways, and that we are to India in 2012. engineering, education, computer Canada’s largest inland port. Mayor Fennell says ‘it’s our time to programming, research, arts, design, The Mayor said her plan will shine” and media workers. strategically target industries in which In 2010, 274 new businesses opened, The creative class of workers, which Brampton has a competitive advantage employing 1,174 workers. These new includes professionals, is also made up including Automotive, Aerospace, jobs helped to reduce Peel Region’s of those working in classic “knowledge- Food and beverage, Wellness, health unemployment rate from 10.4 per cent based” industries, such as healthcare, and life sciences and Information in 2009 to 7.8 per in 2010. business and finance, the legal sector, technology. Brampton also had good growth in and education, Mayor Fennell said. The Mayor also promised to more the construction, which totalled more Mayor Fennell said the key to attracting aggressively pursue International than $1.47 billion last year, second only the kinds of businesses and creative- Trade, and direct investment in such to Toronto in the GTA. Commercial class jobs is marketing and she regions as Sao Paolo, Hong Kong, construction value in 2010 was $181 committed to strengthening Shanghai, Bangalore, and Mumbai, million, Industrial was $82 million and Brampton’s position globally. “It’s time while also maintaining our Institutional was $141 million. for us – for all of us – to create a American networks, “because it is still Brampton ranked 12th overall in demand for our product. And that very important to recognize that the Canada – a significant improvement product is Brampton.” U.S. is our largest trading partner and from 22nd place in 2009. She says we need to promote that receives more than 70 per cent of Real Estate Management - Sales & Leasing • Retail Michael Collins • Industrial • Office ext. 602 • Condo 905-453-0114, ext. 202 _1-10_march:_1-10_jan_2008.qxd 08/03/2011 10:03 AM Page 2 Page 2 MARCH 2011 Loblaw selected in 2011 as one of Canada's best diversity employers Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw), increase the number of women in headquartered in Brampton, has been senior positions by promoting from named one of Canada's Best Diversity within the organization. To date, Employers for 2011 by Mediacorp Loblaw has achieved a 53.7 per cent Canada Inc, based on its efforts to increase in women store managers honour the diversity of its colleagues, from when the Company first started customers and the communities measuring progress in 2008. Also, around them. Loblaw's Corporate Loblaw launched a series of Social Responsibility (CSR) principle Women@Loblaw initiatives aimed at Reflect the Nation's Diversity is central connecting women leaders for to its inclusive workplace culture. professional development and "Being recognized as one of Canada's networking. Best Diversity Employers is a testament • Recruitment: In addition to to the value the Company places on traditional recruitment channels reflecting the diverse make-up of the Loblaw also partners with a number of Constable Niki Georgiadis, was this year’s recipient of the Brampton Board of Trade Police Service Award. From left communities we serve in all parts of not-for-profit organizations, including Mayor Susan Fennell , Niki, BBOT President Stephen Rhodes, Mayor Susan Fennell, John Nielsen Staff Superintendent in our business," said Judy McCrie, Career Edge Organization and ACCES charge of Operations Support Services for the Peel Regional Police and Peel Regional Chair Emil Kolb. Photo by Ken Hay executive vice president, human Employment, to give hiring managers Photographer resources and labour relations, Loblaw more exposure to a broad range of Companies Limited. "We recognize candidates. This includes newcomers there is still more work to be done and to Canada, visible minorities, women, BBOT Police Services Award we remain committed to placing Aboriginal Canadians, persons with importance on diversity initiatives." disabilities, the lesbian, gay, bisexual goes to Constable Niki Georgiadis Loblaw's diversity efforts are and transgendered community, and The Brampton Board of Trade Police • The Coast to Coast Cancer spearheaded by its Inclusion Council, youth and mature workers. A Service Award was presented to Foundation made up of senior leaders across the partnership with Social Capital Prisoner Escort Officer Niki Georgiadis organization. The Council's mandate is Partners enables Loblaw to enhance at the annual Mayor’s luncheon in “While her efforts to assist in each of to ensure Loblaw stores reflect the recruitment and retention outcomes February. these events has raised thousands of ethnicity of the communities in which for these diverse groups. Loblaw also Constable Georgiadis has been dollars, I would be remiss if I did not they serve, to increase the percentage reaches out to diverse candidates employed by the Peel Regional Police mention the countless tons of food Niki of women store managers and hire online through TalentOyster.com, since 2004. She serves as a Special and the Prisoner Escort Bureau have more individuals with disabilities in Canada's first all-inclusive job board Constable in the Prisoner Escort provided to various local food banks stores and store support offices. In available in 11 languages, and Bureau working out of the Davis through the Cram a Cruiser program. 2009, the Council launched an diversityworking.ca. Courthouse in Brampton. While she Countless hours have been spent in Inclusion Toolkit to support managers • Expanding stores and in-store carries out her duties in an exemplary cold, wet weather working on behalf of in recruiting and hiring more diverse products: In 2009, Loblaw took a step manner, says John Nielsen Staff the food banks and then dropping off candidates. forward to better serve Canada's largest Superintendent in charge of the food that had been collected by the Following are some of the initiatives growing customer segment by Operations Support Services for the officers.” that helped Loblaw earn its place on acquiring T&T Supermarket Inc. (T&T), Peel Regional Police, “we are here today Not only has Constable Georgiadis Canada's Best Diversity Employers list: one of Canada's leading Asian food to honour her for her efforts outside been instrumental in her efforts to • Development opportunities for retailers. her role as a Special Constable.” work with various charitable women: Loblaw continues to work to During the past 7 years Constable organizations, “she has also worked Georgiadis has participated in, tirelessly to assist fellow officers and organized and played a lead role in employees of the Peel Regional Police many charitable events. Some of the in times of need. In reviewing her BBOT membership drive organizations that she has helped personnel file there are countless include: letters of appreciation for her efforts Don’t forget our membership drive, Membership Referral Rewards • The United Way of Peel and her commitment to our which runs until April 30th. During that Program. • The Juvenile Diabetes Research community is truly outstanding.” time we will donate the one-time new We want to help promote your business Foundation member administration fee to the for FREE! • Victim Services of Peel and William Osler Health System If your qualified* referral to us becomes Foundation.