GTA HotNews

 GTMA Activities & Announcements:

The GTMA is on the move! Effective FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27th our new office will be located at:

25 Adelaide Street East, Suite 811

Toronto, Ontario M5C 3A1

Our contact information remains unchanged:

Corporate Email:    askus@greatertoronto.org

Website:                   www.greatertoronto.org

Main line:                  416-360-7320

Fax:                            416-360-7331

Please update your database and forward to other appropriate personnel/departments (i.e., Accounting, etc.).  Thank you.

To accommodate the move, our office will be closed on the afternoon of Friday, October 27th and will re-open on Monday morning October 30th.

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“Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative a Reality as of January 2008”

The GTMA’s Annual Fall Luncheon has traditionally been a standing-room only event, and this year was no exception, with over 300 guests filling The Toronto Board of Trade dining room on October 10th to hear the newly appointed U.S. Consul General of the United States, JOHN NAY . Mr. Nay touched on a range of issues dealing with cross-border security to the globalization of trade.

The U.S. Consul General provided a candid update on Congress’ decision to move forward with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on January 1, 2008, outlining what all travelers entering the U.S. can expect and must adhere to under the pending changes. VIEW MR. NAY'S SPEECH

“The increasing collaboration between Canada and the U.S. on a number of issues affecting our national and international interests has generated much discussion, and is clearly a topic of interest which is reflected in the strong turn-out,” commented Karen Campbell, President & CEO, GTMA. “We’re delighted that the U.S. Consulate, with whom the GTMA has had a positive working relationship over the past years, has again collaborated with the GTMA in introducing the Consul General to the Toronto business community,” added Ms. Campbell.

We were also delighted to have The Hon. Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, and Mayor Hazel McCallion, GTMA Honorary Co-Chair attend the luncheon and bring welcoming remarks.

The strong turnout from the business community provided an excellent opportunity for GTMA partners and stakeholders to network and meet.

“As one of the newest partners of the GTMA, we were delighted to hear Mr. Nay, while at the same time connecting with key contacts from the business community. The event provided an excellent opportunity to host our clients and make new contacts,” commented Susan Blouin, Vice-President Relationship Manager, Omega’s Contact Centre Practice for Canada.

GTMA is pleased to recognize the following sponsors of the 2006 Fall Luncheon:

GOLD LEVEL	SILVER LEVEL	VENUE SPONSOR

VIEW SPLASH PAGE AND PHOTO GALLERY

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We are Delighted to Announce the Following New Corporate Partners: Konica Minolta and Omega Performance Corporation 

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GTMA Director, Mayor Robert MacIsaac, Nominated as Chair of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority

Long time GTMA board member and Mayor of the City of Burlington, Robert MacIsaac, has been nominated as the Chair of the newly formed Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA). Peter Smith, current GO Chair, was nominated as the Vice Chair. In making the announcement, Minister of Transportation, Donna Cansfield commented, "I am pleased to nominate Robert MacIsaac as Chair and Peter Smith as Vice Chair of GTTA. We’re bringing seamless and better connected transit to the third fastest-growing urban region in North America.”

The GTTA is responsible for developing a long-range integrated transportation plan for local transit, GO Transit and major roads for GTA and Hamilton. The GTTA will also be responsible for introducing the GTA Fare Card, allowing commuters to cross the GTA and Hamilton with a single card.

“I know I can speak on behalf of our board in saying that we all have the greatest respect for Mayor MacIsaac’s leadership and vision for the GTA, and we look forward to continuing to work with Rob as he undertakes his new responsibilities," stated David Gavsie, Chair, GTMA Board of Directors.

“Rob has been a strong advocate and promoter of the GTA, both locally and internationally. He has always shown a genuine commitment to ensuring that this region remains in the forefront as the best place to live, work and invest. You couldn't have chosen a better candidate," remarked Karen Campbell, President & CEO, GTMA.

In accepting his nomination, Mayor MacIsaac remarked, “My priority is creating a streamlined and efficient transportation in the region, and I’m looking forward to working together with the province, Vice Chair and GTTA board members.”  To read the full text of the press release link to GTTA.

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GTMA Director, Glen Grunwald, Leaving T.O. to Join New York Knicks

On September 28th Glen Grunwald announced his resignation as President and CEO of The Toronto Board of Trade, Canada’s largest chamber of commerce, to accept an offer from the New York Knicks basketball team.

“I love this city, I love this job and The Toronto Board of Trade is involved in great work,” says Grunwald, “but I could not turn down this offer to rejoin my old friend Isaiah Thomas and the sport that I love.”

Becky McKinnon, Chair of The Board of Trade, credits Grunwald’s nearly two years of leadership with helping the organization achieve new highs in profile and public influence.

“As a director of the GTMA Board, we have valued Glen’s commitment for the GTMA’s mandate and his input and practical approach in dealing with a broad range of issues. His leadership at The Toronto Board of Trade and enthusiasm for the Toronto Region will be missed. We wish him well in his endeavours as an individual in New York, but we’ll have difficulty in cheering for his team,” said David Gavsie, Chair, Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. VIEW MEDIA RELEASE

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GTMA Appoints Don Edmonds as Vice Chair and Don Macintosh as Director

On behalf of the Board of Directors, David Gavsie, Chair, is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Edmonds, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Vice Chair of the Board and welcomes Don Macintosh, Partner, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP as a Director.

Don Edmonds is a partner in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Private Company Services practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and specializes in audit and general advisory services. Don has been involved with private companies for over 25 years.

Don Macintosh is partner at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, one of Canada’s leading business law firms, and practices in the area of corporate and commercial law, and specializes in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital transactions, joint ventures, and outsourcing.

Both Dons bring an impressive level of leadership and experience having worked on both private and public sector boards.  VIEW LIST OF DIRECTORS

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GTMA Receives Partnership Award From Seneca College

The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA) was recently recognized by Seneca College at a special event held at their Markham Campus to celebrate partnerships. The GTMA is Seneca’s partner in the Business Intelligence Unit (BIU). The BIU provides Seneca’s marketing students with the opportunity to develop hands-on marketing skills, conduct innovative business intelligence research and participate in attracting new businesses to the GTA. Accepting the award on behalf of the GTMA was Gerald Pisarzowski, VP Business Development. Gerald pointed out that several private sector partners including Tim Peters with Herman Miller Canada Inc.; Derek Millar with Ian Martin Limited; and Don Macintosh with Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP were instrumental in the development of the BIU; and their ongoing support and commitment has been the key to the long-term success of this initiative.  VIEW PRESS RELEASE

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Join the GTMA’s Business Mission to India – February 1 - 13, 2007

Are you looking to export a product or service into India’s marketplace? Are you looking to meet potential partners in India? Would you be interested in attracting Indian Investors as they go global? Or are you simply trying to understand what the India Inc. phenomenon is all about and how you can ready yourself and your organization to deal with this juggernaut? Then the GTMA’s Business Mission to India is your entry into India!.

Plans are underway to take a significant mission to India in partnership with ITAC, C-IBC, OTC and potential other organizations. Cities on the itinerary include New Delhi, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai.

In Mumbai, the mission will focus on the NASSCOM conference and will include pre-qualified meetings, roundtables, site visits, and presentations, in addition to a stellar collection of leaders from around the world. NASSCOM, the National Association of Software and Services Companies serves as a key interface to the Indian software industry and facilitates business and trade to encourage advancement of research in software technology. Its member companies, now representing more than 1,000 of India’s top ICT firms, are in the business of software development, software services, and IT-enabled/BPO services. The GTMA has participated in past NASSCOM conferences and highly recommends it to anyone considering entering the marketplace attempting to learn about the ICT and BPO industry in India, seeking partners or attracting investment to Canada. NASSCOM’s leadership forum also attracts global leaders and heavyweights from the ICT industry worldwide as speakers and active participants. Networking with some of these heavyweights is truly phenomenal!

In New Delhi, we will focus on activities around the International Engineering & Technology Fair, which will also include opportunities for meetings and presentations, assisted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The program will be entirely modular and allow you to undertake the whole mission from Feb 1-13, or participate in modules in each city.

Opportunities to focus on other sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy and environment, education and infrastructure may also be possible, if there is delegate interest in these areas.

Join the GTMA on an Energy and Environment-Focused Business Mission to Europe (Sweden, Finland, Holland) - June 2007

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GTMA Targets German Manufacturing Firms in Munich

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U.K. Venues for Ontario Technology Corridor Partners’ Corporate Meetings

GTA News:

Canadian workers can breathe a sigh of relief after a recent Statistical Canada Report attested to the fact that foreign takeovers have had a minor impact on employment in Canadian head offices. The report reveals that foreign controlled firms were actually the “dominant force driving growth in the number of head offices in Canada and head office employment between 1999 and 2005.” 

Based on a 6-year research paper entitled “Head office employment in Canada, 1999 to 2005,” researchers found that 164 Canadian head offices have switched from domestic to foreign controlled. About one-fifth of these 164 offices resulted in closures with job losses totaling 1,709 jobs. Despite this loss, foreign firms had established 38 new head offices that brought in 2,346 jobs in the same year. Under foreign control, head office employment increased marginally, with a figure of 3,547 in 2005, compared to 3,487 in 1999 under domestic control.

The impact of foreign controlled firms on the number of head offices and head office employment clearly signals Canada’s resilience in business attraction and retention. Between 1999 and 2005, head office employment in Canada increased 10.7%, generated by the 4.2% increase in the number of head offices. Clearly, these results reinforce Toronto in its position as Canada’s leading centre for head offices in the business sector.  Learn more about this recent Statistical Canada Report on Canadian head office employment

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Earlier this Spring, the U.S. Department of State introduced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (“WHTI”) which will require all travellers (including Americans) to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present passports or other “secure documents” to enter or re-enter the U.S. Under the WHTI, after December 31, 2006 all travellers to the United States (including Canadians) are required to have passports when entering the U.S. by sea or air, regardless of the purpose or anticipated length of stay in the U.S.  The policy was expected to apply to land travel as of December 31, 2007.

On September 30, 2006 the U.S. Congress passed the Homeland Security Appropriations Act.  This legislation extends the timeline for enacting the WHTI policy as it relates to travel by land and sea to June 1, 2009. This decision recognizes that more time is necessary to ensure that the WHTI is implemented effectively.  Please note that this extension does not apply to travel by air into the U.S.  Passports or other secure documents will be required after December 31, 2006 for all air travel. 

It is expected that a large number of Canadian passport applications will be received by Passport Canada by the end of 2006.  Canadian employers are advised to ensure that all employees who may need to travel to the U.S. obtain Canadian passports since they will not be able to travel with any other proof of Canadian citizenship after the deadline. It is currently taking approximately 2 - 3 weeks for the processing of applications within Canada.

Evelyn L. Ackah is a Senior Associate in the Business Immigration Practice Group at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP in Toronto.  She can be contacted at 416-862-5695 or evelyn.ackah@gowlings.com.

The transfer pricing issues and their tax implications will become more pronounced as China finds ways to export their products across international borders. Chinese automakers should be aware of the many transfer pricing generally issues and consequences that will follow from their business decisions. The attached article discusses transfer pricing and why it should be a concern to new entrants to Canadian markets such as Chinese automakers. To read the full text click CORPORATE DIGEST@GOWLINGS

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$30 Million Capital Expansion of Sanofi Pasteur’s Connaught Campus Reflects “Toronto’s Growing Global R&D Profile”

Sanofi Pasteur, the world’s leading vaccine company, has announced a $30 million capital expansion project at its global manufacturing site in north Toronto where it produces combination vaccines that require only one needle.

The vaccines being produced are given to children at ages two, four, six and 18 months that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough and haemophilus influenzae Type b.

“The fact that Sanofi Pasteur has chosen to substantially increase the manufacturing capacity of their Connaught Campus reflects the Toronto region’s growing global R&D profile,” says Ross McGregor, President and CEO, TRRA.  VIEW PRESS RELEASE

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The City of Mississauga's Economic Development Office (EDO) received the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Research Report award for its report, “Mississauga: A Leading Canadian ICT Cluster.”

"Competing in the category of Research Report by organizations serving areas with populations exceeding 200,000, the City of Mississauga was a clear standout," said IEDC chairman Joseph Marinucci. "Activities for the advancement of economic development have an enormous impact on the shoring up of North America's economy.

Hats off to economic development organizations like the City of Mississauga Economic Development Office for leading the charge."   VIEW PRESS RELEASE

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$30-million Luxury Retirement Residence Slated for the Town of Whitby 

Samir Manji, Chairman, President and CEO of Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. (TSX:ACC), is pleased to announce that the company has secured its 6th 99-year contract to manage "Amica at Whitby," located in quaint Whitby, Ontario.

The $30-million luxury retirement residence will consist of 139 suites, including a 31-suite assisted living floor. This five-star residence will include all of the amenities associated with an Amica Wellness & VitalityTM Residence, including a grand lobby, a dedicated home theatre room, an English style pub, a private dining room, a spa salon, and a Wellness & VitalityTM Centre.  VIEW PRESS RELEASE

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The City of Vaughan’s Economic & Technology Development Department is announcing the launch of its first Economic Development video newsletter - SPOTLIGHT. The four-minute video can be viewed on the City’s website by visiting www.vaughan.ca.

Each month there will be a new Spotlight video capturing the latest developments in business expansions, special events, environmental programs and tourism activities in Vaughan. It will provide news from the Vaughan Business Community in a dynamic style that can be accessed by the millions of people who visit the City’s website.

For more information, please contact Frank Miele, Commissioner, Economic/Technology Development and Communications at  905-832-8521, extension 8244.

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DSEA Members to Build Energy Project

Two Durham Strategic Energy Alliance (DSEA) members are teaming up on a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility after getting the nod to proceed from the Ontario Power Authority.  VIEW MEDIA RELEASE

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People News:

Daniel Sullivan Appointed New Canadian Consul General in New York

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay announced the appointment of Daniel Sullivan as the new Consul General in New York on October 5, 2006. Mr. Sullivan recently served as Deputy Chairman of Scotia Capital Inc., the corporate and investment banking division of Scotiabank, where he has worked for over 38 years. He was Chairman and Director of the Toronto Stock Exchange from 1999 to 2002 and is a former Chairman of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada. He has also served as director of a number of public companies, and has served on advisory boards or committees to Canada Post Corporation, Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Canadian Securities Administrators and the Ontario Securities Commission. Daniel Sullivan succeeds Pamela Wallin.

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Town of Milton Hires Robbie Grewal as New Economic Development Officer

The Town of Milton is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Robbie Grewal as Economic Development Officer. Mr. Grewal will play a key role within the Town’s aggressive industrial commercial development plans to encourage, attract and facilitate the growth of the business community.  VIEW PRESS RELEASE

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Upcoming Events:

The GTMA and the Region of Durham in partnership with the Swedish Trade Council and Consulate of Sweden Toronto are pleased to host a Swedish Business Delegation in conjunction with the State Visit of Canada of Their majesties the King and Queen of Sweden. Tosca Banquet Hall & Conference Centre, 800 Champlain Ave, Oshawa -11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

 For further information on ticket purchase and registration click on REGISTRATION FORM or contact Karen Hunt directly at 905-668-4113, extension 2601 or karen.hunt@region.durham.on.ca.

“Profit by Design” Seminar Series Launches - October 30

Countries throughout the world now recognize design/innovation as the ultimate competitive weapon for the 21st century. The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association has partnered with the Design Industry Advisory Committee and Toronto Economic Development to launch a business seminar series on Design's role in innovation. Ontario, with 40,000 designers in the workforce, is a significant centre for design talent. Learn how design can make your business more competitive. Speakers include Harry Rich, Deputy Chief Executive, U.K. Design Council and Patrick Whitney, Director, Institute of Design, Chicago.

1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., MaRS Collaboration Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto.  For full details and registration visit www.cme-mec.ca.

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Call Centre Forecasting and Scheduling (WFM) – November 1

Whether you are new to WFM or have some experience, you're invited to spend 1 day with 2 Call Centre experts who will share their extensive knowledge and experience.

Part 1 of the workshop covers the "whys" of WFM including the significance and mission of Service Level Management, traffic theory, Erlang, real time response and more. Knowledge of these basics can help promote understanding and co-operation between the Operations and WFM teams.

Part 2 covers the "whats" and the "hows" of WFM. You will learn essential best practices, tips on planning, forecasting and scheduling, plus the discipline and practice of real time response (intra-day) processes.

The workshop will be led by Stephen Ng and June Naranowicz. Stephen is a former Call Centre Executive and the past Director of the Call Centre Management Program at Centennial College. June is a veteran WFM expert who is the Director of Workforce Management for ClientLogic and the co-Chairperson of CPA's Workforce Management Community.

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., The Park Plaza Hotel.  For more information contact Elizabeth Winter at 416-410-4663 or eliz@cpacan.com.

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MaRS Bioimaging Symposium – November 2 - 3

The Bioimaging Symposium is produced in conjunction with the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (Donnelly CCBR), The Hospital for Sick Children, MaRS Discovery District, Mount Sinai Hospital, the University Health Network and the University of Toronto.

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