ChamberLinkThe Official Business Magazine of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce CELEBRATION IN RIDER NATION 101st Grey Cup In This Issue Photo credit: Saskatchewan Roughriders SATTC International TRADESPEOPLE IN SK DOUG Elliott HOUSING IN REGINA November 2013 JIM HOPSON Volume 15 Issue 9 GREY CUP REFLECTIONS ChamberLink 1 We’re now Wish you had more hours in the day? At Harvard Western Insurance, you do! We’ve extended our hours at all of our Regina locations for your convenience. NEW EXTENDED HOURS Mon - Thurs: 8:00am - 8:00pm • Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday: 9:00am - 6:00 pm • Sunday: Closed NORTH NORTH WEST EAST SOUTH 407 Broad St. 464 McCarthy Blvd. N. 3615 Quance St. E. 4420 Albert St. 543-4200 777-0654 757-1633 584-2466 harvardwestern.com November 2013 Volume 15, Issue 9 ChamberLink, the official business magazine Content of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, is published ten times a year. ChamberLink is distributed to all chamber members, 5 CHAIR’S MESSAGE their representatives and approximately 1,600 non-member busi- nesses. Total circulation is 4,000 copies. 6 SATCC 2013 Board of Directors Int Workers In Regina Gord Archibald, Chair 8 JIM HOPSON Brian Drayton, Vice Chair Grey Cup Reflections Dan Broderick 9 GREY CUP Bill Coulthard Festival Schedule of Events Bob Kasian 10 DOUG ELLIOTT Sask Trends Monitor Randy Lear Larry Mything 14 FROM THE DEAN Lorne Pavelick 17 WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAM Bob Taylor 17 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS Nadia Williamson Tyler Willox 18 NEW MEMBERS Keri Ziegler 18 NOVEMBER EVENTS Staff John Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer * Views expressed in ChamberLink are those of contributors and individual members and are not necessarily endorsed by, or policy Lisa Deans, CMA, Chief Financial Officer of, the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce. Jeanette Tonita, Events Manager Printed by: Amanda Baker, BFA, Member Relations Manager Aimee Sudom, BComm, BA, Communications Officer Margaret Semeniuk, Director of Membership Sales Denine Lacerte, B. Ed., Employment Coordinator Bree Paul, Receptionist Kali Bourhis, Policy Analyst reginachamber.com Editorial Comments: 306.757.4644 For Advertising Inquiries 306.757.4658 Please address inquiries to: Regina & District Chamber of Commerce 2145 Albert St, Regina, SK S4P 2V1 T (306)757-4658 F (306) 757-4668 E [email protected] ChamberLink 3 Tyron Brackenridge #41 Mission: Zero safety glasses available at missionzerocnib.com and Saskatchewan Co-op retailers $10 from each pair benefits the Saskatchewan CNIB Eyewear meets requirements of CSA Z94.3 Polycarbonate lenses absorb 99.9% of UV light FROM THE CHAIR’S DESK Regina’s In The Spotlight As part of the fastest growing economy in The phenomenal economic benefit that a Canada, Regina, as a city, has been in the host city receives is invigorating for both national spotlight for a number of years. the business community and the commu- This has attracted the interest of many indi- nity at large. For example, the 100th Grey viduals and businesses, some of whom have Cup Festival brought in $133.1 million of moved to the city and made it home. This economic activity to the province of On- surge in interest has been particularly ben- tario, with $94.7 million of that occurring in eficial in attracting national events, such as the host city of Toronto. Our government the Grey Cup and the Junos. resources will also benefit, with tax revenue generated by the same event totaling close It would be great to continue this mo- to $25.3 million. mentum. By continuing to attract national events, such as the upcoming 2014 North The intangible benefits of national events American Indigenous Games, we will con- such as the Grey Cup and the successful tinue to benefit from increased tourism Gord Archibald hosting of the Junos earlier this year are, spending, investment in special events in- Chair, Regina & District of course, harder to quantify. Neverthe- frastructure, tax dollars and successful large Chamber of Commerce less, they resound thoroughly throughout scale events that organizers can look at and the hearts and minds of individuals which, say, “Wouldn’t Regina be an amazing place for some, will be their first experience in to hold our event.” elcome to Regina! Regina. These newcomers will experience W a taste of the hospitality and friendliness Finally I would like to extend congratula- This will be a common greeting that will that our prairie city is known for and will tions to Chamber CEO John Hopkins for soon fill the air, along with the excitement return home to spread the word about our his Canadian Chamber award as executive of star CFL players, pep bands and good progressive city. of the year for communities with more natured sports rivalry hitting Regina when than 100,000 in population at the Cana- the 101st Grey Cup and all its festivities en- The pride the city will feel will also be evi- dian Chamber’s annual general meeting. ter our city. dent. Over the past decade, Regina has ex- This award recognizes the terrific job John perienced a surge in growth that has result- has done on behalf of the Regina business Diehard fans from all across the country will ing in new high rises, new residential areas, community. Well done John! converge in Regina, some to support their a revitalized core and new businesses. This favorite team’s hard fought efforts on the is something Regina can proudly point out Thank you for your continued support and gridiron to get into the finals but many will to these visitors as evidence of our progress have a wonderful time at the Grey Cup fes- come simply because the Grey Cup is one and the promise of a bright future. tivities. of the best professional sports celebrations in the world. The CFL is a great blend of homegrown and international athletes often highly in- volved in the community, game day tickets in all price ranges and 101 years of exciting Canadian football. One of the great exam- ples of how the sport has been embraced by Canadians is the Grey Cup parade, a truly entertaining experience highlighting the pride of the host city, after which fans from all across the country join the walk to show off their hometown spirit with Rider fans, no matter the host city, the largest proces- sion of them all. It, along with the innumer- able special events held throughout the city, should not to be missed. ChamberLink 5 Bringing International Tradespeople To SK by The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission askatchewan is facing the issue of working in the compulsory apprenticeship her work permit to the SATCC, along with S too much work and not enough trades of electrician, plumber, refrigeration an Apprenticeship Contract. After work- skilled tradespeople for the jobs available. mechanic and sheet metal worker, prior to a ing one year with a special permit card, the A good problem, but a problem nonethe- person doing any work in the trade. person is eligible to complete a Form 2, pay less. There is more than just one solution to the fee, and write the Interprovincial Jour- the issue, and multiple approaches must be In the SATCC’s voluntary trades, this ser- neyperson exam. In a voluntary trade, the taken to address the need for skilled people. vice is certainly available, but not neces- person may complete a Form 2 upon arrival sary. It is recommended for the worker in Saskatchewan, pay the fee and write the The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and who would like to have his or her previous exam after submitting a copy of his or her Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) training and certification recognized once in work permit. is a large part of the solution. The mandate Canada. of the SATCC is to develop and execute Remember that the necessary immigration an apprenticeship training and certification The first steps of the assessment can be procedures still apply. Please see the follow- system to meet the needs of industry. completed prior to someone arriving in ing links for more information: Canada. The internationally trained work- The core business of the SATCC is to de- er fills out the SATCC’s Form 9, and also Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Pro- velop and train our own local apprentices. sends his or her certificates and transcripts, gram (SNIP) - http://www.economy.gov. However, with the rising needs of skilled employer letters verifying apprenticeship, sk.ca/sinp tradespeople in industry, there is a need for or trade experience hours with the required additional people who are already trained fee. After the assessment takes place, eli- Citizenship and Immigration Canada - and ready to work. gible applicants receive a letter deeming http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/ them eligible to work in Saskatchewan and index.asp Many internationally trained workers have challenge the certification exam. The letter the necessary skills and face a work short- the applicant receives can be used to show To learn more about SATCC services for age in their own countries. Saskatchewan potential employers that they have recog- internationally trained workers, see the industry can provide them not only jobs, nized skills and training in a particular trade, following link: http://www.saskappren- but careers. which helps secure an offer of employment. ticeship.ca/client-groups/internationally- trained-workers/ or contact us at 1-877- The SATCC provides one of the links be- Once in Saskatchewan, if in a compulsory 363-0536. tween skilled internationally trained trades- trade, the person submits a copy of his or people and the employers looking to hire. As an employer, you want to know you are hiring someone who can do the neces- sary work.