2024 Gala Award Presentations
Business Person of The Year 2024
Arnold Hagen
Read Citation for Arnold Hagen here
Buiness Excellence Award 2024
Kerr Smart Energy Ltd.
Read Citation For Kerr Smart Energy Here
Lifetime Achievement Award 2024
Sharon Corcoran
Lifetime Achievement Award- citation Corcoran
Chamber to present three outstanding businesses with awards on gala night
Sharon Corcoran to receive Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award
TRURO – Well-known business woman Sharon Corcoran will be recognized next month for her life-long commitment to building community through real estate and volunteerism in the Truro area.
Corcoran, broker and owner of RE/MAX Fairlane Realty, will be presented with the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award on April 4, at the organization’s Annual Dinner Gala and Awards in Truro.
“Sharon has an incomparable zest for life and a love for her community which shines through, not only at her business, but also with the volunteer organizations she supports,” said Sherry Patriquin-Martell, Chamber Executive Director. “She has been an inspiration to many business owners with her willingness to share experiences and knowledge.”
Along with the Lifetime Achievement award, sponsored by Patterson Law, two additional prestigious awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Dinner Gala and Awards. Developer, entrepreneur and community volunteer Arnold Hagen will be honoured with a Business Person of the Year award, sponsored by BDC, for his efforts to revitalize “Uptown Truro” by modernizing the former Truro Mall creating the new Hub Shopping Centre. Kerr Smart Energy has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Community Credit Union. Marking 75 years in operation in 2024, the business has evolved with changing consumer demands and recently constructed a new Distribution Center in Truro, doubling its pallet storage capacity.
Leah Nord, Senior Operations Director with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association national branch, will be the guest speaker for the event. The Chamber Social will kick off the evening’s festivities at 6 p.m. at the Best Western Glengarry followed by the gala dinner at 7 p.m. Seats must be reserved in advance by March 26 and cost $75 plus HST for members and $125 plus HST for future members. To book a seat contact the Chamber at 902-893-6328, email [email protected] or reserve online at www.trurocolchesterchamber.com by clicking on the event’s calendar.
The Chamber is a non-profit, membership-based organization representing more than 500 businesses and organizations in the Truro and Colchester region as the recognized voice of business.
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Media contact:
Sherry Patriquin-Martell
Executive Director
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce
902-895-6328
Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO weighs in on Canada's position on international trade
Click link below to read story found on the National Post
Petition issued requesting extension of CEBA loans
ADVOCACY ACTION
We are writing today with a call to action regarding Canada Emergency Business Account (“CEBA”) loans. We have been advocating to the federal government to provide a further extension of the repayment and partial loan forgiveness deadline that is looming on 18 January 2024. We were hopeful that Minister Freeland was going to announce such an extension during her fall economic update last month, but that did not happen.
We have also met with local MLAs regarding this issue and were pleased to see a joint letter issued by the Premiers of Canada seeking additional time for businesses to repay the CEBA loan without losing the benefit of a forgivable portion.
With the deadline just over a month away, our Chamber is supporting a petition launched by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and MP Jenica Atwin have directed at the Government of Canada to extend the deadline for an additional year.
A recent analysis of over 15,000 Canadian businesses found that inflation, input costs, and interest/debt costs are the three most acute obstacles faced by business (at 56%, 40% and 38%, respectively), and the smaller the firm, the more constrained they are by debt.
Moreover, recent surveys focused on CEBA loan-holder companies reveal that:
- 49% of small businesses are still making below normal revenues;
- 50% of Canadian foodservice operators are currently operating at a loss or breaking even compared to 12% pre-pandemic; and,
- 45% of Canada's tourism businesses are likely or somewhat likely to close within the next three years without government intervention into their mounting debt load.
At the local level, we are hearing from members that this deadline will have a material impact on their business and require further relief. For further background, read this column by the Fredericton Chamber of commerce.
While the CEBA loan repayment may not be an issue for many of you who do not own businesses, but we would ask that you consider signing the petition anyway as a show of support for your community businesses that have been slower to recover from the pandemic.
Click here to sign the petition.
Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce receives re-accreditation
News Release
December 7, 2024
Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce receives re-accreditation
TRURO- The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce is among 25 Chambers from across Canada to be recognized for achieving or maintaining accreditation –the highest national standard of Chamber excellence.
The local Chamber received its re-accreditation on Dec. 4 from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada (CACC).
“We are very proud of the accomplishments of our chamber, the work we do to strengthen our business community through advocacy and the programs we offer our membership,” said Executive Director Sherry Martell.
To achieve accreditation, Chambers must pass a detailed review by CACC and demonstrate excellence in leadership, governance and operations. Accreditation sets a strong foundation for success based on best practices, and encourages increased member engagement by signaling dedication to high quality programming and reliable service. It also showcases communities across Canada as great places to do business, backed by the support of exceptional Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.
“Accreditation is the acknowledgment that a Chamber has been successfully evaluated against a rigorous set of national standards and has demonstrated excellence in Chamber management,” said Chuck Davidson, President, Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada.
The accreditation program was developed in 2004 by a team of Chamber executives, in conjunction with provincial and territorial chambers and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The CACC is composed of Chamber representatives from across the country, and reviews applications for accreditation annually. There are currently 71 accredited Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across Canada.
“We are proud to recognize these Chambers as examples of leading organizations making a difference in communities across the country,” Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of more than 500 members and is the second largest Chamber in the province of Nova Scotia.
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Media contact:
Sherry Martell
Executive Director
Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce
902-895-6328
We are hiring!
We Are Hiring!
Are you an outgoing person with social media experience that likes to plan special occasions?
The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce is seeking a part-time events and special projects support person to fill a temporary six-month position beginning in January 2024.
The selected candidate will support the implementation of the Chamber’s events and special projects program.
Some required tasks include computer literacy, social media skills, use of several online data and marketing platforms such as Constant Contact, WordPress, Meta Business Suite, Canva, and Membee.
Other important qualities include the ability to prioritize tasks, communicate effectively in person, by phone and email, good organizational skills and creative character.
Email resume and cover letter to [email protected] explaining why you would be the perfect fit to work with a membership-based business organization.
The position will remain posted until a new team member has been welcomed.
The Province wants input from Nova Scotians on improving the workers’ compensation system and preventing harassment in the workplace
The Province wants input from Nova Scotians on improving the workers’ compensation system and preventing harassment in the workplace.
Nova Scotians can share their input on both the workers’ compensation system and harassment in the workplace at in-person and virtual sessions and through an online survey and written submissions.
In-person sessions take place:
November 28th, 6:45-8 pm Truro NS at the Douglas Street Recreation Center.
Virtual sessions will be held November 17, 20 and 27, as well as December 1, 6 and 8. The surveys will open on November 14.
People can register at the consultation websites:
workers’ compensation engagement: https://novascotia.ca/workers-compensation-engagement/
preventing workplace harassment engagement: https://novascotia.ca/preventing-workplace-harassment.../
“We know there is work to do to improve workers’ compensation. The system needs to be updated with today’s workplaces in mind to be the best it can be for Nova Scotians,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “We also want all workers to feel safe at work – not just physically but psychologically, too.”
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia provides workplace injury insurance to Nova Scotia employers and employees. The compensation system was last reviewed in 2002, and the Province recognizes that Nova Scotia lags behind other jurisdictions in areas such as workers’ access to coverage, employer assessment rates and benefits.
The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is overseeing the review of the system, alongside an eight-member review committee that includes employer and employee representatives. Douglas Reid, chair of the review committee, has significant experience in management, regulatory compliance, financial services and corporate governance, and was a partner with KPMG Canada for nearly 30 years
The Department is also consulting the public on harassment in the workplace. Information gathered will be used to help create rules so employers can prevent harassment and support healthier and safer workplaces.
Chamber hosting festive fireside holiday dinner
You are invited to a Festive Fireside Cranberry Christmas
Hosted by the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce and Warmth By Design in partnership with the Kilted Chef. Also featuring the talented comedian Mark Walker.
Cocktail hour at 6 p.m., Cash bar by Raging Crow
Dinner served at 7 p.m. - only 60 seats are available.
A perfect small business Christmas party.
Chamber receives national support to protect vital trade corridor
Media Release
October 14, 2023
Chamber receives national support to protect vital trade corridor
TRURO- Local advocacy efforts by the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce seeking government action to secure a vital trade corridor have been endorsed by members Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
On Oct. 14, Chamber executive director Sherry Martell presented advocacy recommendations to protect the trade route along the Chignecto Isthmus to the national Chamber network at its policy debates and AGM in Calgary. These recommendations were accepted by the majority of 375 chamber representatives in attendance.
“Securing this trade corridor is an absolute priority and government at all levels, must immediately put an action plan in place to address the urgency of it,” said Martell. “Last year at the completion of a $700,000 study looking at the impact of climate change on this vital trade route, costs of remediation were estimated at about $300M.”
Martell said that amount has already increased to an estimated $400M.
“For every day without action the cost to secure this vital infrastructure increases along with the risk of serious disruption to the nation’s economy,” said the executive director.
More than $50 million in trade traverses the Chignecto Isthmus daily, linking Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to the rest of the nation. There are numerous transportation and energy transmission linkages that, if interrupted, would have enormous economic impacts on people and businesses in and outside Atlantic Canada.
Last year, nearly half of the imports arriving at the Port of Halifax, the closest year-round port to access European markets, were shipped to central Canada, and further west. The port also saw 39 per cent of exports arrive at the Halifax port from central Canada, 21 per cent from the Midwest US, and others from further west.
“It was an honour to present these recommendations for government action on behalf of my Chamber colleagues in Atlantic Canada,” said the executive director. “Now, the work to bring government of all levels together to agree upon a path forward that can be put into action with haste is a priority, not only for our Chamber but at a national level as well.”
The Truro Chamber’s Vice-President Kim Boomer also attended the national policy meetings.
“It is such a great opportunity to be present during policy debates at the national level, to see the wonderful collaborative work being done by Chambers across this country,” said Boomer. “At this one specifically, to see our Executive Director’s incredible work come to fruition, and be accepted, is very exciting for the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce, and our other Atlantic Chambers that were part of supporting the policy.”
The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce represents more than 500 business in the region and actively participates in advocacy at all levels of government ensuring the voice of business is heard.
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Media Contact:
Sherry Martell
Executive Director
Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce