action! online

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action! online March, 2013

Make a Connection Reception April 18, Regina Click here to register 2013 Conference on Business May 8-9, North Battleford Click here to register “Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March 2013 Multi-faith calendar 17-23: Festival of Higan-e - Buddhism 18: Lent begins - Orthodox Christian 20: Ostara/Eostre/Mabon - Wicca/ Pagan 20: Shunki-Sorei-sai - Shinto 21: Naw Ruz (New Year) - Baha’i 24: Palm Sunday - Christian 26 - April 2: Pesah (Passover) Judaism 27: Magha Puja Day - Buddhist 27: Holi - Hindu 29: Good Friday - Christian 31 - Easter Sunday - Christian

Inside This Issue: 10 Digit Dialing  _________ 3 CEO’s Report ___________ 4 Legislative Report  _______ 5 Renewing Members  ______ 8 CWB Perspective (Part 5)   _   9 New Members _________10 Snapshot of the Past ____10 Make a Connection _____  10 Conference on Business __11 Members in the News ___12 Women of Influence ____ 14

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Update

Rural Saskatchewan contest winners join Sask Chamber membership roster The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce welcomes three new members this month the winners of the Just Watch Me competition sponsored by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP), a contest designed to get more people with disabilities interested in being their own bosses. The Saskatchewan contest winners received, among a package of mentorship and merchandise, a year’s membership to the Saskatchewan Chamber. Joining our membership will be Sturgis Water’n’Ice (Frank Szostak, Sturgis, SK), Gary’s All-Season Maintenance (Gary Bradley, Melfort, SK) and The Massage P.A.D. (Perry Dancsok, Yorkton, SK). These three were among the many disabled individuals who sent in inspiring three-minute videos of having overcome obstacles on the road to entrepreneurial success. Susan Bater, EDP Coordinator for

Contest winner Gary Bradley of Melfort

rural Manitoba and spokesperson for the contest, said that all of the entrants have overcome some hurdles and found selfemployment to be the right fit for them. Hard work was the key to Frank Szostak’s accomplishment. After purchasing an existing water supply business in town, he set out to increase sales, taking the average weekly bottled water sales from an average of 30 to its current 150. Szostak sought a loan from Community Futures to upgrade his equipment, and when a local supplier of ice withdrew its Cont’d on Page 2...

Rural Saskatchewan contest winners join Sask Chamber membership roster (cont’d) services to Sturgis, he expanded into that area. Today, he sells a lot of ice -- estimated at between 8,000 and 9,000 bags a month over the busy summer months.

Independence, and the ability to have control over his work environment were key factors in sight-impaired Perry Dancsok’s decision to open his own remedial massage therapy enterprise last year.

“When it comes to…(disabled individuals)… don’t give up. Get out there and do the best you can. Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you have to quit living,” Szostak advised in his video.

With the support of Community Futures and Partners in Employment, and assistive technology such as computers that read email aloud, Dancsok is measuring his success through a steadily growing clientele.

Gary Bradley has gradually expanded his business’ footprint over the last 31 years.

“Don’t be scared,” he advises other disabled entrepreneurs in his video. “Get a good group of people to work with, like Community Futures and Partners in Employment. It’s hard right off the get-go, but if you have a good group of people, you’ll do just fine.”

What began as a snowblowing business moved on to include summer yard maintenance services, to help with shingling and general repair and maintenance projects for a variety of clients. As his clientele expanded and his services grew, Bradley undertook improvements to his lineup of machinery.

To view the contest videos, visit www.justwatchmecontest.ca. Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum and Supplier Tradeshow

Bradley noted it is the personal touch he uses that keeps vital communication lines open with his clients. When asked to provide a few words of counsel for other disabled would-be entrepreneurs, he said that talking to Community Futures provides valuable assistance and advice with some of the trickier parts of starting a business, such as administration.

Above: Perry Dancsok of Yorkton. Below: Frank Szostak of Sturgis

April 10, 2013 @ TCU, Saskatoon Forum topics will include:  Overview of projects by Saskatchewan mining companies  Information on opportunities to supply equipment and services to the mining industry  The process and steps to become a mining supplier  Networking opportunities with mining company representatives Confirmed speakers include: Agrium, AREVA, Cameco, Mosaic, SNC, PotashCorp, AMEC, Western Potash Corp., K+S and others

$50 billion will be invested in mining projects between 2008 and 2028. 

Be part of the supplier tradeshow



Talk directly to mining company and engineering firm procurement representatives

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Forum Registration: $150.00 Tradeshow Booth (includes one Forum registration): $500. **one tradeshow booth per company** Register for the Forum and the Tradeshow at the following link: http://www.picatic.com/miningforum

Mandatory 10-Digit Local Dialing May 11, 2013 Beginning May 11, 2013, anyone making a local call in Saskatchewan will need to dial 10 digits, the area code plus the 7 digit local number, to complete the call. The requirement for local 10-digit dialing is a result of a second Saskatchewan area code (639) coming to Saskatchewan. SaskTel customers who have dialed a 7 digit local number recently may have received a network announcement indicating the number they have dialed must be preceded by its area code. The call is automatically completed and the message reminds customers to dial the area code for future calls. It is important to note that 10-digit dialing also applies to text messaging. Beginning May 11, 2013, SaskTel wireless customers who do not include an area code in the number when sending a text message will receive a message indicating the text cannot be sent without an area code. Users will be asked to resend their message with an area code and told to reprogram their device with the area code for future messages. To ensure you are ready for 10-digit dialing, it is important to remember to update the programmed numbers in your telecommunications equipment such as home phones, cell phones, fax machines, modems, equipment for the hearing impaired, security systems, etc. (if you have any questions about

your security system’s 10-digit dialing readiness, contact your security provider). Customers should also make any necessary changes to calling features such as speed dial, call forwarding and call blocking. SaskTel business customers should ensure phone systems and equipment are compatible for 10-digit dialing and stored numbers or calling features are updated with the area code. If customers are unsure about their phone systems readiness they can contact their SaskTel representative. Remember to give your 10 digit phone number in all instances where you need to provide a contact number such as: personal cheques, medical forms, stationary, insurance forms, etc. Business customers should make changes to advertising materials, business cards, signage, websites and any other places where -3-

business phone numbers are listed. The second area code, 639, will be implemented using the overlay method; meaning 306 and 639 will co-exist allowing for more phone numbers in Saskatchewan. Using this method means customers will not have to change their existing numbers. Special 3 digit numbers such as 911, 611 and 411 will continue to be 3 digit numbers and will not be affected. As well, your calling area and the way you dial long distance will remain the same. A residential and business checklist along with a list of frequently asked questions is available at www.sasktel.com/ dial10 to help ensure you are ready for 10-digit dialing.

CEO’s Report - Alberta’s economy is steaming and will soon boil over...again! Over the past month I have visited Alberta on two occasions and have seen their current economic situation and where they believe they will be in the months and years to come. Alberta has been a boom and bust economy since it first started to drill for oil. They are built to capture the benefits of the big years and survive in the lean years. They are now moving toward another big upswing and that will mean opportunity for the businesses of Saskatchewan. I toured Fort McMurray and saw just how big this district is today and even more importantly - where they are going to be in the next few years. For example there are about 75,000 people working in Fort Mac now and in the next couple of decades they will be into the hundreds of thousands. Their expansion plan for the city alone includes $2 billion for the municipality. The oil companies are planning billions in expansions and new builds over the next few years. The magnitude of what’s in the Fort Mac area right now is amazing and it will potentially double or triple over the next decade. There may be a few issues as Alberta looks east for staff but the opportunity list for us is a longer one. First let me confirm that the level of business we are currently enjoying in Saskatchewan is here to stay. Alberta’s success will once again spread new opportunity for all. What we have is not a boom or the peak of a cycle, but rather its the new normal. There will be some small bumps along the road to our economic future and while some businesses will see changes, the overall economy is so diversified that our businesses will remain strong for decades - until people stop eating, using gas or wanting gas for their cars. The Sask Chamber is constantly discussing the need to address Saskatchewan’s current issues around dealing with the challenges we have because for the most part they are here to stay. For example, we will never have enough skilled staff to meet our expansion needs, so we need to start focusing on greater adoption of innovation and on productivity enhancements to create greater outputs with the same number of people. We need to end our dismal record for workplace safety, and to ensure staff are being trained continually in all areas to maximize their skills. There is much work to do and we need to focus to be ready to maximize our returns. We can react in time to take full advantage of Alberta’s expansion as well as our own growth. There are billions in new development coming to Alberta, and even with only one of the proposed pipelines coming into place (of the likely 2-3 that will come to be) their bitumen development will be fast tracked. So watch out for info on our productivity seminars in June. Ask your staff, sector safety association or Safe Saskatchewan for the best ways to enhance your safety practices and record. There is lots to do and we can do it. As much as I enjoyed seeing what’s new in Alberta, I am even more convinced that Saskatchewan is the right place, doing the right things and this is the right time.

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Legislative Report SASKATCHEWAN WORKERS EARNING MORE IN 2012 Saskatchewan workers had a 5.0 per cent increase ($44.96) in seasonally-adjusted average weekly earnings in 2012, the highest percentage increase in Canada. Saskatchewan’s average weekly earnings were $936.00, above the national average of $908.35. According to a Statistics Canada report, the main contributor to the improvement in wages came from increases in health care, social assistance, accommodation and food services and professional, scientific and technical services. Nationally, wages were only up 2.8 per cent year-over-year. On a monthly basis, average earnings were up by 1.2 per cent in December 2012 over November 2012, tied with Alberta for the highest increase in the nation. Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate in the country in January 2013 at 4.0 per cent (seasonally adjusted) which was the lowest since November 2008.

SASKATCHEWAN CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL LABOUR RECRUITMENT A delegation of Saskatchewan employers recently headed to Ireland to recruit high-skilled workers to this province. The Ministry of the Economy and 13 employers attended the Working Abroad Expo in Dublin March 2 and 3, Cork on March 6, and in Manchester, United Kingdom March 9 and 10. More than 10,000 qualified candidates in fields including trades, engineering and health sciences are expected to attend the fairs. Saskatchewan welcomed more than 290 Irish families to the province following the 2012 recruitment mission to Ireland. Based on last year’s success, employers expressed interest in returning to that country hoping to recruit at least 80 highskilled workers this year, for positions such as heavy duty mechanics, welders, engineers and machinists among other occupations. Saskatchewan’s labour shortage is a major barrier to economic growth for industry, small business and communities. Saskatchewan is forecast to need between 75,000-90,000 new workers in the next five years.

RECORD RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER Retail sales were on the rise in December, increasing 4.4 per cent (seasonally-adjusted) over December 2011– the highest on record jump for the province in more than 20 years. According to a recent Statistics Canada report, this ranked Saskatchewan in first place among the provinces in terms of percentage change. Nationally, retail sales fell 0.7 per cent for the same time period.

SASKATCHEWAN TRANSPORTATION COMPANY (STC) IMPLEMENTING ROUTE ADJUSTMENTS On-going reductions in scheduled passenger service in neighbouring jurisdictions have had a significant effect on ridership and increased the financial pressures faced by STC. To mitigate these negative impacts, STC has undertaken a thorough analysis of cost-saving actions.

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Legislative Report (cont’d) A review of routes has identified three financially unjustifiable routes for discontinuation. These routes include: Blaine Lake – North Battleford; Regina – Lanigan (via Nokomis and Watrous); and Eastend – Swift Current/Mossbank. It is expected to result in $300,000 in annual savings to STC’s budget. Over the past several years, all three routes have had very low ridership, with Blaine Lake – North Battleford averaging one passenger per trip over the past four years; Regina – Lanigan averaging two passengers per trip over the past five years; and Eastend – Swift Current/Mossbank averaging two passengers per trip over the past five years. The announcement of the route eliminations is the start of the 90-day approval process with the Highway Traffic Board. The changes to the affected routes are expected to begin on May 18, 2013.

NEW COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS ACT, 2012 AND REGULATIONS The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed The Commissioners for Oaths Act, 2012 and Regulations, which have come into effect on February 15. These changes will create conditions under which certain occupations, such as police officers, will be Commissioners by virtue of their status or office. Previously it was necessary for most applicants to pay an application fee. While some revenue will be lost in the elimination of this fee, it will be offset by the significant savings in the time spent processing applications. Additionally, some government officials automatically become Commissioners for Oaths under the Regulations. In 201011, there were 369 appointments of government employees as Commissioners, and 184 appointments for police and non-officer employees of the police force. The changes will also broaden the eligibility criteria for individuals to become Commissioners for Oaths. Previously, applicants were required to be Canadian citizens or other British subjects. This is no longer necessary. Commissioners for Oaths are responsible for administering oaths, administering and receiving affirmations, and receiving declarations for official use in courts and elsewhere.

SASKATCHEWAN IS CANADA’S TOP AGRI-FOOD EXPORTING PROVINCE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW For the first time ever, in 2012 Saskatchewan exported more than $11 billion in agri-food products, and the province remains the nation’s top agri-food exporter. In total, Saskatchewan accounted for 23 per cent of Canada’s agri-food exports in 2012. The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth includes a goal to increase agri-food exports to $15 billion by 2020. The record $11.1 billion in 2012 agri-food exports is an increase of nine per cent over 2011, and an increase of 75 per cent since 2007, representing a significant step in achieving this goal. Agriculture continues to have a major impact on the province’s economy, accounting for over one third of all provincial exports. Canola seed continues to be the top agri-food export at $2.7 billion in 2012. Canola seed exports have increased 25 per cent since last year and 215 per cent since 2007. Other top agri-food exports in 2012 included wheat ($2 billion), canola oil ($1.7 billion), durum ($1.2 billion) and lentils ($673 million). Saskatchewan agri-food products have a larger reach than ever before, providing the majority of the mustard found in France’s Dijon mustard products, the majority of the oats in Cheerios cereal and the majority of the world’s entire trade of peas and canary seed. The top five markets for Saskatchewan agriculture products are the United States, China, Japan, Mexico and India. In 2012, 18 countries each purchased more than $100 million in Saskatchewan agri-food exports, making Saskatchewan agriculture one of the most significant providers of food around the world.

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Legislative Report (cont’d) HOUSING STARTS IN 2012 STRONGEST IN FOUR DECADES Saskatchewan’s construction sector was busy in 2012, recording the highest number of housing starts since the 1970s. According to the latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) report, urban and rural housing starts in the province totaled 9,968 units. The report also indicated that urban housing starts in Saskatchewan increased in 2012, up 39.9 per cent compared to 2011, putting Saskatchewan in first place among the provinces in terms of percentage change. In December 2012, urban housing starts increased by 70.7 per cent compared to December 2011, the second-highest percentage increase among the provinces.

SASKJOBS NETS MORE THAN 1 MILLION VISITS IN JANUARY Saskjobs.ca started the year strong with 1,098,651 visits to the website in January 2013, up 17.96 per cent over January 2012. Employers posted a total of 16,522 jobs on saskjobs.ca in January 2013, up 12.26 per cent year-over-year. Of those postings, the majority of job opportunities were available under the category of Sales and Services, which comprised 31.46 per cent of all jobs posted. Trades, Transport and Construction opportunities also made up a large portion of the jobs posted at 28.36 per cent. Meanwhile, the most significant year-over-year gains were seen in: Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport (73.37 per cent); Health (36.44 per cent); and Business, Finance and Administration (33.81 per cent).

GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION HUB NEW HOME TO RECYCLER The Emterra Group, the City of Regina’s new curbside recycling contractor, is building a “world class, state-of-the-art” material recovery facility (MRF) at the Global Transportation Hub in west Regina. Emterra, awarded a 10-year contract with the City in 2012, has begun construction on a 45,000 square foot operation that will be capable of processing more than 50,000 tonnes of recyclables annually. The company will invest more than $8 million in the development, which will create 75 jobs during the construction phase and up to 30 full-time jobs. The facility, to be built on a five hectare site, is scheduled to begin operation on July 1, 2013. The Global Transportation Hub (GTH) is a major Canadian transportation and logistics centre located in Regina, Saskatchewan. GTH is home to Canadian Pacific, Loblaws, the Yanke Group of Companies and Consolidated Fastfrate. To date (including Emterra), a total of $338 million of private sector investment has been secured at the GTH.

HIGHEST MERCHANDISE EXPORTS IN SASKATCHEWAN HISTORY The province’s merchandise exports set an all-time high in 2012, totalling $31.4 billion, according to Statistics Canada. This was a 6.4 per cent jump compared to 2011 and above the national average of 1.9 per cent. This level of growth landed Saskatchewan second among the provinces and well ahead of Alberta and British Columbia, which ranked fourth and seventh respectively. Commodities that saw the most significant gains in 2012 were metal and non-metallic mineral products, up 44.5 per cent; forestry products and building and packaging material, up 37.4 per cent; and electronic and electrical equipment and parts, up 31.7 per cent.

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Thank you to our renewing members from the end of January through early March. Your continued support of the Chamber movement makes it possible for us to achieve on your behalf, and we want you to know we appreciate you as members! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce Regina & District Chamber of Commerce Commodities of Tomorrow Deloitte & Touche LLP Flaman Group of Companies PFM Capital Inc. Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc. Nipawin & District Chamber of Commerce Inc. Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Kenaston & District Chamber of Commerce Weyburn Chamber of Commerce Shaunavon Chamber Commerce Spectra Credit Union Sask Municipal Hail Insurance Herbert Chamber of Commerce Clark’s Supply & Service Ltd. Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. Keystone Royalty Corp. Rogers Broadcasting Inc. CAT Logistics/CNH Canada Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club Northern Resource Trucking Redvers Chamber of Commerce Carlton Trail Railway Company

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Eastend & District Chamber of Commerce Fort Qu’Appelle & District Chamber of Commerce Novozymes BioAg Limited Expocrete Concrete Products North Prairie Developments O & T Farms Percy H. Davis Limited Outlook & District Chamber of Commerce Jay’s Moving and Storage Ltd. Supreme Office Products Ltd. Edam & District Board of Trade Stone Creek Financial Group Inc. Biggar Chamber of Commerce Regina Public Library Leader-Post(Post Media Network Inc) Morris Industries Lloydminster KFC Serco Aviation Services Pavement Scientific International Big Quill Resources Bahm’s Auto Service & Supply Crestline Coach Ltd. Drs. A. & C. Malan Kennibar Resources Ltd. Sunrise Wellness Spa Inc. Macklin Chamber of Commerce SGI NWL Contemporary Dresses Success Office Systems Global TV (Shaw) FP Bourgault Tillage Tools Ltd. Siemens Transportation Group (Kindersley) Great Canadian Oil Change P3 Architecture Partnership Saskcan Pulse Trading Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd. Border Line Feeders KPMG Radisson & District Chamber of Commerce Mid Sask Regional E-Chamber of Commerce Sask Institute of Technologies Battleford Furniture Evraz Place -8-

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Northwoods Inn & Suites Willoughby & Associates Inc. Schulte Industries Ltd. Innovation Credit Union Canpotex Limited Phoenix Advertising Group Dr. Rynier Cronje Medical Raven Industries Canada Best Western Seven Oaks Inn Concept Media Eatonia & District Chamber of Commerce Laronge & District Chamber of Commerce Norquay Chamber of Commerce Flexxifinger QD Industries Inc. Nicky’s Cafe & Catering Inc. Creative Fire Travelodge Hotel The Co-operators Xylem Water Solutions Can Elson Drilling Inc. ASL Paving Ltd. JNE Welding Meyers Norris Penny Brandt Group of Companies Superior Cabinets Saskatchewan Literacy Network Kindersley Chamber of Commerce Bayshore Home Health International Manpower Inc. Aztec Industries Kumaravel Pillay Medical Prof. Diplomat Steakhouse Employment Network Hitachi Independent Lift Truck Service Ltd. Lumsden Chamber of Commerce Maidstone & District Chamber of Commerce Payworks Yorkton Aircraft Service Ltd. Viterra Affinity CU Dr. Ishaan Sundar Sifto Canada Arthur Kautz Watson & District Chamber of Commerce Maple Creek Chamber of Commerce

CWB Perspective - Part 5 By John DePape, CWB Monitor

This is Part 5 in a series of articles on changes within the wheat market, courtesy of the CWB Monitor. farm business management is not We talk a great deal about the a new concept, as many farmers end of the Canadian Wheat have been using these services for Board (CWB) single-desk and the other commodities. For a number impact this is having on the whole of years, farmers have been farm sector, but that is not the getting agronomic and business only vehicle of change affecting management advice and support Western Canadian agriculture. from farm consultants often called farm-coaches, or ag-coaches. Farms are getting bigger and farm business management is getting more complicated, more risky and Although many of these coaches are specialized in one component more financially intensive than ever. More and more, progressive of farm business management, in more recent years, these services farmers are looking to outsource have broadened. Many farm many skills and services. business management companies now cover the basics plus many Under the single-desk system all marketing for export and domestic other areas such as carbon human consumption for wheat and offsets, succession planning, grain barley was performed by the CWB. marketing, risk management, land management and whole farm business management. While most farms did not worry about, or paid little attention to CWB marketing of their wheat and With the CWB monopoly now gone, the demand for farm barley, those farmers that wanted business management will to market their own grain had continue to grow, creating more little choice until now. Farms will opportunities to provide new now have to either perform the marketing themselves or outsource services to farmers. Current farm coaches are stepping up to the to farm consultants with the plate, while new ones with new expertise. services and new approaches are emerging. Hiring marketing consultants and “Do you need extra help this summer within your organization?” SIAST, Palliser Campus has Co-operative Education students available in two business disciplines: Business Accountancy and Business Information Systems. The accounting students are available for a May – August work term, while the IT students complete a May – October opportunity. Recruitment for these students is underway. For more information, please contact: Shelley Ruecker at 306-691-8322 or [email protected] -9-

Conference on Business Request for Silent Auction Items Help fund educational and research activities in Saskatchewan that benefit and promote business. The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce holds a silent and live auction as part of our annual Conference on Business which is being held on May 8 and 9 in North Battleford. The monies raised are directed to help support youth entrepreneurship and research through the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Foundation and we are asking for your support of this activity! The Foundation conducts research and works to promote youth entrepreneurship across the province. Donating to the silent auction is an excellent opportunity to profile your company at an event that hosts over 100 business leaders from throughout the province while supporting a worthy objective. Your contribution will also be recognized in our auction-related printing and on our website at www.saskchamber.com. If you are interested in donating an item for the auction, contact Marilyn Leier at 306.352.2671. Items will be accepted until April 24, 2013. Thank you for your consideration.

Welcome to our new members! Tradex Commodity Group Inc. Saskatoon www.tradexgroup.net Q-Line Trucking Saskatoon www.qlinetrucking.com Advance Engineered Products Ltd. Regina advanceengineeredproducts.com South Country Equipment Ltd. www.southcountry.ca Loraas Disposal Services Regina www.loraas.ca McDougall Auctioneers Ltd. www.mcdougallauction.com Kyle & District Chamber of Commerce Kyle For membership information, or to refer your leads, contact Jesse Chatterson at 306.352.2671 or [email protected].

Make a Connection Reception registration now open! Registrations are now being accepted for the 2013 Make a Connection Reception. This is an exciting Sask Chamber event that provides our members from across Saskatchewan the chance to meet with senior government officials, including Deputy Ministers,

Chiefs of Staff and Crown Corporation presidents in a casual and inviting setting at the Royal Regina Golf Club on Thursday, April 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. To register online, click here.

Snapshot of the Past 36 years ago... Excerpted from the Spring 1977 “Business Review” published by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

From “The Travel Industry Crisis: 15% Less Consumers for Canada” by J. Denis Barry, Manager, Education Services, Travel Industry Association of Canada. “Tourism, frequently referred to as an industry without smokestacks, has ranked among the top domestic industries and the top exports in Canada for some years. In 1975, it contributed $8.5 billion to the Gross National Product and employed 800,000 Canadians directly or indirectly. Its export value reached $1.7 billion which made it fourth in importance as an export industry.” From “15 Ways to Make More Money Now”by Alan Sharf: “The purpose of profit is survival. A business whose sales and profits have increased 2 1/2 times in the last 10 years is barely holding its own against inflation. In other words, it is a stagnant business.” From “The Value of Employing the Handicapped” by J. Wayne Zimmer, Regional Coordinator, Core Services Administration: “North American Statistics show that for each person taken off the Welfare rolls, on an average, that person will earn $5,200 per year, pay federal and local tax of $785, increase spending for goods and services by $3,300, reduce UIC costs by $1,700, reduce Welfare payments by $2,600 and contribute $9,000 to GNP. Any way you add it up as a tax paying citizen-businessman, it’s your saving or loss. “In Saskatchewan, as across the country, there are many “special needs” persons, and bringing them into the mainstream of our economy is not just humanitarianism - it pays off in dollars and cents for the company that gains a worker, for the community which gains a productive citizen, for business which gains a paying customer and for government which saves on welfare and gains a taxpayer.” From “New Premises”: “The Saskatchewan Chamber moved into its new administration offices at 2314 - 11th Avenue on January 1. This move has been termed an “important achievement” in the Chamber’s 57 year history, according to President H. J. Zimmerman. The improved facilities in the core of Regina’s business community will allow the Chamber to continue expanding its many services. The office complex features many new furnishings and appointments, and is the Chamber’s third move in the past 32 years.”

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“Growth, Building on Experience” 2013 Sask Chamber Conference on Business Wednesday May 8th - Thursday May 9th, 2013 North Battleford, Saskatchewan Agenda: May 8

(Venue: Western Development Museum)

11:30 am 12:00 noon 1:00 pm

Registration Delegate Lunch “The Power of the Network” Pat Horgan, Chair, Canadian Chamber of Commerce 2:00 pm - 5:00pm CCES Meeting “Good Chamber, Great Chamber” Patrick McGaughey, CPF, IOM 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Board Meeting 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm For volunteers: Tour of the Battlefords 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm For volunteers: “Vitalizing the Chamber Volunteer - Multiply your Value” Patrick McGaughey, CPF, IOM

Agenda: May 9 (Venue: Dekker Centre) Patrick H. McGaughey, CPF, IOM has- a8:15 wide-ranging background of 7:45 am am Breakfast professional success in broadcasting 8:15 am Mission: Zero update and business association 8:30 am AGM management. earlysession success in 9:00 am - 11:00 am His Policy wasLunch the foundation 12:00 broadcasting noon for Pat’s successes as a business “Social Media and the Chamb association executive where he led 2013 Sask Chamber on B Jeph Conference Maystruck three Chambers of Commerce to th “Your th 1:30 pm Chamber: Wednesday May 8 - Thursday May 9 , 20 membership andPowerful financialor success. Powerless?” North Battleford, In Idaho, his Chamber of CommerceSaskatchewan broke the 1,000 Patrick McGaughey, CPF, IOM member barrier 2:15 in a community of 24,000 andCeremonies his annual pm Closing events drew crowds of over 900 people proving that you can be big in any size community.

“Growth, Building on Exp

Agenda: May 8

(Venue: Western Developme

To re Pat Horgan is the volunteer Chair of 11:30 am Registration the Board of the Canadian Chamber 12:00 noon Delegate Lunch of Commerce for 2012-2013. Pat o 1:00 pm has been an active member of“The the Power of the Network” 6:00 pm Chairs Dinner (Venue: Gold Ridge Centre) Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Pat Horgan, Chair, Canadian Chamber of Com “Celebration of Battlefords 100th” board of directors since 2008 and 2:00 pmother - 5:00pm participates on many boards. Pat has been recognized with CCES many Meeting Agenda: May 9 (Venue: Dekker Centre) Conference Room Rates: awards including IBM Golden “Good Chamber, Great Chamber” Gold Eagle Lodge has a special rate Pleas Circle, Hundred Percent Clubs and Patrick McGaughey, CPF, 7:45 am - 8:15 am Breakfast IO until April 6th, 2013. Call 306.446.8877, Nam Leadership Excellence. 8:15 am Mission: Zero update 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm or 1.866.446.8877; ask for the 8:30 am AGM Busin Board Meeting Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce 9:00 am - 11:00 am Policy session Addr speaker and marketing group rate or Group Number 1891. 2:00 pm Engaging - 3:30 pm 12:00 noon Lunch guru Jeph brings City: ForMaystruck volunteers: Tourthe of the Battlefo “Social Media and the Chamber” social media revolution into every 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Phon Jeph Maystruck aspect of his business - and you For volunteers: “Vitalizing the Paym Cham 1:30 pm “Your Chamber: can do the same to improve your Volunteer Multiply your Value” Powerful or Powerless?” Cheq Chamber, and your business! A Patrick McGaughey, CPF, IOM Patrick IO genuine, energetic and McGaughey, passionate CPF, Cardh 2:15 pm Closing Ceremonies presenter, Jeph’s advice will help Card

6:00 pm you create Chairs Dinner (Venue: Gold R a voice for your Chamber th amidst “Celebration the media clutter. of Battlefords 100Expir ”

Registration Fees: $250 (plus GST) per person $100 (plus GST) each additional person from the same organization

Conference Room Rates: Gold Eagle Lodge has a special rate until April 6th, 2013. Call 306.446.8877, or 1.866.446.8877; ask for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce group rate or Group Number 1891.

For more information or to register online, go to www.saskchamber.com -11-

Members in the News Hotel Saskatchewan Chef makes Gold Medal Plates

SIAST awarded $3.4m CIDA project

First Nations Power Authority Signs Agreement with SaskPower

Chef Milton Rebello of the Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan, brings the Bronze Medal home to Regina. He said it was ‘the experience of a lifetime’, combined with learning and sharing ideas with the best chefs in the country. This is the first time Saskatchewan has ever placed for this prestigious competition.

SIAST has been awarded a $3.4-million project in Ukraine funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) today announced the signing of their new Master Agreement with SaskPower.

February 9th, 2013 Kelowna B.C. - The competition was fierce, the determination was evident, as 10 of Canada’s best chefs competed for top honours during the coveted Gold Medal Plates Canadian Culinary Championships on February 8 and 9, 2013 in Kelowna, B.C.

Over the next three years, the project will transfer Canadian know-how and experience in developing relevant labour market training to support medium and small enterprise development.

The Skills for Employment Project will enhance business programming in selected schools in Kyiv, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

University of Regina and SIAST offer nursing students an acceleration option

The two-day event started with a Friday evening Mystery Wine Pairing at the Hotel Eldorado, where chefs prepared a dish they felt perfectly suited the mystery bottle of wine they had received the evening before.

SIAST and the University of Regina have introduced an acceleration option that allows students in their collaborative nursing degree program to graduate almost a year ahead of schedule.

The Black Box Challenge held at Okanagan College gave all nine competing chefs one hour to prepare two dishes using six mystery ingredients.

Through the acceleration option, up to 84 students can elect to attend classes during a spring/ summer term at the end of Years 2 and 3.

The Grand Finale at the Delta Grand Hotel saw the ten chefs competing in an all-out slamdown competition. Dishes were partnered with their chosen Canadian winery or beverage. Congratulations, Chef Milton!

Those students will complete the program in August of Year 3. Seats designated for the acceleration option will be split evenly between Regina and Saskatoon. -12-

The agreement defines a process for establishing a number of independent power generation opportunities for First Nations with SaskPower. FNPA is a not-for-profit entity with a mandate to facilitate the development of First Nations-led power generation projects with SaskPower. Funding for the creation and development of FNPA was provided by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) in the amount of $1.39M through their Strategic Partnership Initiative program, Community Economic Opportunities Program and Community Support Services Program. In addition to the Master Agreement, SaskPower and FNPA are in discussions to explore additional projects and agreements that could result in further economic development opportunities for First Nations over the life of the agreement, such as the Meadow Lake Bioenergy Centre – a $150 million 36 MW biomass facility located in Meadow Lake. FNPA is in discussions with SaskPower on:



• An initial 10MW Set Aside from SaskPower for renewable power projects for certain types of renewable power generation. • Additional future generation opportunities for FNPA members. • A process for evaluating unsolicited First Nation power project proposals.

FNPA and SaskPower have also signed a three-year Funding Agreement under which SaskPower will provide $100,000 per year to FNPA with the option to renew for another two years by mutual agreement.

Application forms for SaskPower Net Metering Rebate now available online Customers who are interested in generating their own gridconnected power using an environmentally preferred technology can apply for a onetime incentive equivalent to 20 per cent of eligible capital costs (equipment and installation), to a maximum rebate of $20,000.

Power and City of Swift Current electricity customers. For more information about the Net Metering Program and application forms, visit: http:// www.saskpower.com.

Customers can generate up to 100 kilowatts (kW) of power under the Net Metering Program. SaskPower will solely fund and administer the rebate for SaskPower, Saskatoon Light &

The Hiring Credit for Small Businesses has been extended Did you know? The Government of Canada has extended the Hiring Credit for Small Business (HCSB) for 2012. The 2011 federal budget created the HCSB to create jobs, grow the economy and support small businesses. If you are self-employed, you may be eligible for the hiring credit for small business. This credit gives small businesses relief from the employer’s share of employment insurance premiums paid in 2012. The credit of up to $1,000 will be automatically credited to your payroll account. Facts about the HCSB: • The HCSB is a credit of up to $1,000. • The actual amount credited (up to $1,000) is equal to the increase in the Employment Insurance (EI) premiums paid by a business in 2012 over those paid for 2011. • The HCSB is available to employers whose total employer EI premiums were $10,000 or less in 2011. Employers who created a new business in 2012 may also be eligible. • The credit is automatically applied when a business files a 2012 T4 information return. To be eligible, the 2012 T4 return must be received prior to January 1, 2016. • Eligible employers who have outstanding debt are still eligible for the HCSB. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) applies the amount of the credit to reduce any outstanding debt owed. • For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/hiringcredit. How do I apply for the credit? You don’t need to apply for the HCSB. If you are eligible, the CRA will automatically calculate the credit using the EI information from the T4 slips you file—no added paperwork or red tape! -13-

Congratulations to 2013’s Women of Influence We want to take a bit of time to congratulate the accomplished Chamber members who were listed in the 12th annual listing of the leading women who are making a difference in Saskatchewan, as published by Saskatchewan Business Magazine. Kudos to: Tracy Arno (Essence Recruitment) Peggy Koenig (Koenig & Associates) Bev Johnson (KPMG, Saskatoon) Daphne Taras (Edwards School of Business, U of S) Laura Soparlo (U of R lecturer, former EVRAZ Place director) These five as well as Trish Cheveldayoff, Barb Laing, Corrina Mitchell-Beaudin, Penney Murphy and Vicki Newmeyer completed the 2013 list. Congratulations to all!

action! online is a monthly membership publication of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Steve McLellan, CEO [email protected]

Dawn M. Barker, Director of Communications [email protected]

Curtis Hemming Director of Government Relations [email protected]

Marilyn Leier, Administrative Assistant [email protected]

Jesse Chatterson, Director of Member Services [email protected]

Loretta McClinton Director of Finance & Special Projects [email protected]

Cindy Wright, Event Coordinator [email protected]

Kristin McKee, Director of Policy Development (on maternity leave to May 2013)

Contact Us 1630 - 1920 Broad Street Regina, SK S4P 3V2 306.352.2671 www.saskchamber.com -14-