In this issue:

• Chamber of Commerce Week: hats off to Delta businesses
• Business community recognized for contributions in the Tsawwassen power lines issue
• Globalization and possible interest rate cuts: Bank of Canada Governor addresses BC Chamber of Commerce
• Canadian Business Agenda report released by Canadian Chamber
• Dealing With the Labour Crunch in Delta, Chamber Café March 6, 2008
• Olympic bonanza for businesses of all kinds: 2010 Commerce Centre, February 27, 2008
• Up Close & Personal tour, networking and lunch at Maersk, February 28, 2008

Chamber of Commerce Week: hats off to Delta businesses

Chamber of Commerce Week, February 18 to 22, is an opportunity for chambers across the country to celebrate the great value they and their business members create for communities of all sizes. While businesses everywhere continue to make an important contribution to the economic well being of all British Columbians and Canadians, they are often too busy investing capital, creating jobs and contributing its share of the tax burden to shine the spotlight on themselves. Chambers of commerce do that for them.

While it often seems that governments must choose between the economy and the more popular issues such as health care and the environment, all those areas are linked systems. By developing strong economic policies, created with significant inputs from chambers of commerce at all levels, governments can develop the means to generate the resources for dealing with environmental challenges and improved health care services.

Every business and every citizen, member of the chamber or not, benefits directly from the role local chambers play in the process. That’s why Chamber of Commerce Week is an opportunity to celebrate the business people who make our communities such special places to live, work and invest.

Business community recognized for contributions in the Tsawwassen power lines issue

In recognizing and encouraging action of the provincial government following its recent announcement that it will consider alternatives to the proposed overhead powerlines in Tsawwasssen, the community activist group, TRAHVOL, has also recognized the advice from, and encouragement of, the local business community in Tsawwassen.

BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Richard Neufeld, announced on February 8, that the provincial government has ordered an independent, third party audit of the costs associated with HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling). The HDD alternative for creating a route for the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island power transmission line could prove to be an acceptable alternative for about 150 local residents who have been battling the two other options of the “cut and cover” underground burial and an enlarged version of the current overhead suspension. >>see TRAHVOL letter>>

Globalization and possible interest rate cuts: Bank of Canada Governor addresses BC Chamber of Commerce

The Bank of Canada’s new Governor, Mark Carney, gave his first official speech on February 18 to a joint B.C. Chamber of Commerce and Business Council of B.C. audience about the growing force of globalization. He also spoke about the possible need of the Canadian economy for "further economic stimulus" through cuts to the Bank’s key overnight interest rate to keep the economy in balance and inflation in check. >>more information>>

Canadian Business Agenda report released by Canadian Chamber

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has released the “Canadian Business Agenda: prosperity- competitiveness - quality of life”. The report represents the views of the Canadian Chamber’s members on issues that will have a major impact on the prosperity of our nation, and the standard of living and quality of life of every Canadian. While the Canadian Chamber’s initiatives cover a broad spectrum, each one contributes to improving Canada’s competitiveness. The report can be found on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.chamber.ca/cmslib/general/080128BusinessAgenda.pdf

Olympic bonanza for businesses of all kinds: 2010 Commerce Centre, February 27, 2008

Delta businesses can enjoy convenient access to learn about the vast range of opportunities before, during and after the 2010 Winter Olympics. Your business doesn’t have to be big or directly connected to the Olympic facilities and events to take advantage of the opportunities, in manufacturing, construction, transportation, distribution, warehousing, services, hospitality and tourism and more, before, during and after the Winter Olympic Games two years from now. Come to this session by the 2010 Commerce Centre on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Delta Town & Country Inn just north of the Highway 99 and Highway 17 (River Road) interchange. >>more information and registration>>

Up Close & Personal tour, networking and lunch at Maersk, February 28, 2008

The massive warehouse distribution facilities of the major, global shipping company, Maersk (formerly HUDD), at 8400 River Road in Delta is the venue for the second in the Delta Chamber’s new series of events, Up Close and Personal, on Thursday, February 28, 2008, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. The Maersk facilities serve the distribution needs of IKEA and Wal-Mart among others. The event features a tour, networking and a light lunch. Event limited to 25 people. $20.00 Member and $30.00 Non Member. >>more information and registration>>

Dealing With the Labour Crunch in Delta, Chamber Café March 6, 2008

The labour crunch and how to attract, engage and retain employees in today’s tight labour market is the topic of the next Chamber Café: March 6, 3:00 – 5:30 pm, Delta Arts Council Firehall Centre for the Arts, 11489 - 84 Avenue, North Delta. Participants at this Café will engage in deep discussion about what’s working for their companies, hear about the gaps between business opportunities and worker availability, and share opinions that can help develop new options for their organizations. >>more information and registration>>