Essential business news and resources curated by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce , featuring key monthly updates from our partners at the local, provincial, and national levels.

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Local Business News

Key Updates from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce
We're Hiring an Executive Director!

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce – a dynamic, independent, non-profit business association with over 600 local business members – is looking for an Executive Director.

Application Deadline: August 15, 2017

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to accedhire@gmail.com by the deadline.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please share this opportunity with your network. 
Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Call for Nominations

Are you interested in becoming a community leader?

Join an incredible team of dedicated professionals and make a positive impact on the local business community. Create connections and gain valuable experience.

Apply today! 

Application Deadline: Friday, August 25, 2017

Aurora Chamber of Commerce members have the opportunity to nominate themselves or someone they know to serve on our Board of Directors. 

Candidates will ideally have previous experience serving on a Board of Directors and/or a Chamber Committee. The term is two (2) years beginning September 2017 with the option for renewal. 

Applications should include a CV along with a letter of interest outlining reasons for wanting to serve on the Board, as well as ways in which candidates feel they can support the Aurora Chamber, its members and the local business community. 

Applications received will be reviewed and finalists will be interviewed by the Board of Directors. 

Please direct questions and applications to info@aurorachamber.on.ca
Key Updates from the Town of Aurora
Update from Mayor Dawe

Town strengthens ties with the local business community.
Key Updates from Leona Alleslev, MP Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
Investing in Youth & Our Community

Visiting local organizations that received federal funding through the Canada Summer Jobs program.
Key Updates from the Aurora Public Library (APL)
Aurora Public Library: Where Your Business is Our Business

Free courses, business events and books to upgrade your skills, increase your knowledge and improve your business success.
Local Business News & Opportunities
Rent Your Space via SpaceFinder York Region

With over 80+ spaces listed, SpaceFinder helps York Region get more out of existing space. 

Many groups in the creative, non-profit and small business communities rent space for meeting, creating, rehearsing, presenting, collaborating, gathering and celebrating.

SpaceFinder York Region increases the visibility of your  rentable space!

Provincial Business News

Key Updates from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
NAFTA: Open Letter to Minister Freeland

On July 18, the OCC sent an open letter to Chrystia Freeland supporting the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s submission to the NAFTA Negotiating Team at Global Affairs Canada.

While the renegotiation of NAFTA will be a complex undertaking, the OCC echoes the sentiment of the CCC that this negotiation should be regarded as an opportunity to bring the agreement into the 21st century so that it better reflects the way we do business today. 
Working Towards Mental Wellness:
A Toolkit for Employers

The OCC released  Working Toward Mental Health: A toolkit for employers  on Tuesday, July 11.

This document identifies the “mental health action gap” between what businesses believe and how they are taking action on mental health. It outlines the case for mental wellness in the workplace, and identifies strategies that any size of business can employ.

A list of resources can be found at  occ.ca/mentalhealth .
Bill 148 (Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act)

In July the OCC, in partnership with KOW, published an open letter to Premier Wynne encouraging fairness and restraint as the Ontario legislature’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs began province-wide consultations on Bill 148 legislation. 

In addition,  the OCC's Director of Policy, Ashley Challinor, presented to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, calling on the government to slow the pace of change that will come because of Bill 148.

Read Ashley's remarks here .

The Toronto Sun also featured an op-ed from the OCC's VP of Policy and Government Relations, Karl Baldauf, furthering the message of how this legislation will have devastating impacts throughout the Province. 
Registration for the 2017 Ontario Business Achievement Awards is Now Open

Join leaders from across Ontario's business community as we come together to celebrate business innovation happening in our own backyards.

With a revamped program, this year's event will be taking place downtown Toronto at the Carlu on Wednesday, November 29. Check out this year's award categories; the full list of finalists will be announced in September! 
Provincial Business News & Opportunities
Ontario Looking for Input: Consumer Protection Act, 2002

The Ontario government is inviting participants to respond to the proposed changes to the Consumer Protection Act, 2002.

These changes would implement door-to-door marketing and contracting restrictions passed in Bill 59; the Putting Consumers First Act (Consumer Protection Statute Amendment); 2017.

The government is open to comments on the proposed changes and looking for input on the transition process for businesses.  

Responses are due August 21, 2017.   
Government of Ontario: Latest News

Review the recent headlines from the Government of Ontario and stay up to date on developments that could affect your business.




National Business News

Key Updates from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) 
Stuck in Traffic for 10,000 Years: Canadian Problems that Infrastructure Investment Can Solve

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched a new report titled Stuck in Traffic for 10,000 Years: Canadian Problems that Infrastructure Investment Can Solve that examines the effects of various deficiencies in infrastructure, ranging from access to broadband internet to improving the Ontario-Québec trade corridor with the U.S., lack of new pipelines and the unexplored potential of Canada’s North. 

The list of Canadian infrastructure challenges outlined in this report include: 


  • Facilitating trade through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor
  • Improved digital access and investment across Canada
  • Maximizing the potential of Northern communities and businesses
  • Enhancing the Quebec-Ontario trade corridor
  • Getting oil and gas to global markets
  • Green electrification and transmission
Policy Alert: Finance Canada Is Considering Major Changes to How Corporations Are Taxed

The Department of Finance Canada is considering major changes to how corporations are taxed. The proposed rules could have a significant impact on many Canadian businesses: potentially raising taxes, increasing the administrative burden on SMEs and heightening the impact on family-run businesses. 

In July, Finance Canada launched a consultation on how “tax-planning strategies involving corporations are being used to gain unfair tax advantages.” The document contains proposed policies to close these “loopholes.”

There are four key changes that will affect business:

  1. Sprinkling income using private corporations: The government wants to tighten rules to prevent a business owner from unfairly transferring income to family members who are subject to lower personal tax rates. In certain circumstances, owners would have to demonstrate that wages and dividend payments are “reasonable.”

  2. Multiplying the Capital Gains Exemption: When an individual sells a small business, the first $850,000 of capital gain is exempt from taxes. The government wants to prevent tax planning structures that enable multiple family members to use their exemptions. 

  3. Reducing the tax deferral advantage on portfolio investment inside a corporation: Currently, an owner can accumulate portfolio earnings inside a corporation and pay corporate income tax rates (which are generally much lower than personal rates). The owner defers paying personal income or dividend taxes until the money is taken out of the business. The government is considering alternatives that would reduce this tax advantage.

  4. Converting a private corporation’s regular income into capital gains: Income is normally paid out of a private corporation in the form of salary or dividends that are taxed at the owner’s personal income tax rate. In contrast, when a business is sold, it is taxed as a capital gain, where only one-half of capital gains are included in income, resulting in a significantly lower tax rate on income that is converted from dividends to capital gains. The government wants to tighten the rules to prevent certain tax planning structures, but it is open to more favourable treatment for genuine family business transfers.


The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its Taxation Committee are currently studying how the proposed changes will affect members in different industries, in family businesses and those with different ownership structures. The CCC will be submitting recommendations to Finance Canada.   

The CCC is looking for detailed examples and cases of how a specific small business will be affected by the changes. They feel concrete examples will be most effective in making the case for easing the changes.

Should you wish to participate or provide input, please email Hendrik Brakel at hbrakel@chamber.ca by August 11.
Join the CCC's Summer Photo Contest #EssoRoadtrip

From the highways and byways of Canada – from Cape Spear in the east to Vancouver Island in the west; from Point Pelee in the south to Yellowknife in the north – Canadian destinations all have something on order to celebrate Canada’s big year. 150 only happens once! 

The CCC and their partners at Esso are excited to announce that they are hosting a summer photo contest under the banner of #EssoRoadTrip. 

Why not make 2017 the year when you and your family make Canada your staycation destination and get to know your fellow Canadians and all that Canada has to offer? 

Participate for your chance to win.

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Call Kate or Frank at 905-727-8787 today.
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Aurora Chamber of Commerce | Phone: 905-727-7262 | Fax: 905-841-6217 | Email: info@aurorachamber.on.ca | Web: www.aurorachamber.on.ca

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