w w w .insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, S ep tem b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 7 | 3 0 New Cham ber chair w arning o f challenges ahead by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff The Oakville Chamber of Commerce welcomed its new chair, Ken Nevar. during the 63rd annual Chair' s Dinner, at the Oakville Conference Centre Sept. 20. The president of Cooper Construction, who has served as a member of the Chamber' s board of directors since 2010, and as the Chamber' s vice chair since 2013, took the job before an audience of more than 300 members of Oakville' s business community. "It will be my honour to serve as your chair as we celebrate our 65th anniversary as part of the chamber network next year," said Nevar. "W hat a remarkable 65 years it has been." Nevar noted that in 1953 the Oakville Record Star (one of the precursors to the Oakville Beaver) ran a front-page story about how the newly-founded Oakville Chamber of Commerce was off to a "flying start" with 59 memberships. That flying start has continued with Nevar stating that in 2 0 1 7 the Chamber reached a milestone of 1,200 memberships. He also pointed out that in 1953 the notion of gender equity was unknown. Times have changed, said Nevar, with some of the Chamber' s most notable successes happening during the seven recent years in which a woman chaired the board. "These business women have set a very, very high bar," said Nevar. "It is going to be my challenge to continue the momentum they have generated and to ensure that the Oakville Chamber continues to be the leading business organization in our community." Nevar noted he takes on the role of chair at a challenging time for business in Ontario. In recent years, he said, businesses have had to absorb layer upon layer of new regulations and additional costs due to things like higher energy prices and environmental initiatives, such as cap and trade. have set a very, very high bar. It is going to be my challenge to continue the momentum they have generated and to ensure that the Oakville Chamber continues to be the leading business organization Ken Nevar, Oakville Chamber of Commerce chair New Oakville Chamber of Commerce Chair Ken Nevar with outgoing Chair Caroline Hughes at the 63rd annual Chair's Dinner. | David Lea/Metroland Next year, Nevar said, businesses will be dealing with changes brought on by Bill 148, which is intended to strengthen temporary workers' rights. The rise in the minimum wage, which must reach $15 per hour by 2019, was listed as another challenge. Nevar noted tax reforms being brought in by the federal government would also have serious unintended consequences for small independent businesses and professionals alike. "I certainly understand how important it is going to be for the Oakville Chamber to speak with a strong and clear voice on behalf of both small and large businesses in our community," said Nevar. "We need to keep reminding our civic leaders and politicians at all levels that our goals and their goals are not mutually exclusive. Our goals need to be mutually aligned since a successful, sustainable and prosperous business community is essential to the very fabric of the community we all live in together." Those present also heard from outgoing Chair Caroline Hughes. The vice-president of government relations for Ford of Canada said she was pleased to report that on her watch the Chamber reached a new membership milestone of 1,200 and exceeded its financial objectives for the year. She noted the Oakville Chamber is now ranked the fifth Chamber in Ontario and one of the Top 20 Chambers in Canada. "In 2017, we hosted 62 events, welcomed 8,200 guests to our events including Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown, our very own Ontario Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn and Minister of Finance Charles Sousa," said Hughes. "The Oakville Chamber continues to punch above its weight and this is entirely due to the outstanding staff who work tirelessly on behalf of all of you to advocate on your key business issues and to arrange outstanding events such as tonight." Hughes also thanked Oakville Chamber of Commerce President John Sawyer for his leadership and guidance. She said Sawyer has decided to retire this year and noted a search is underway for someone to fill his role. Hughes also wished Nevar a successful year to come. "I do encourage you all to become involved, to be seen, to be heard and to belong to the Oakville Chamber of Commerce," she said. T h e 8 th a n n u a l N in e , W in e a n d D in e on th e Sixth Line G o lf T o u rn a m e n t w a s h e ld o n S e p te m b e r 12, 2 0 1 7 a t th e O a k v ille G o lf C lub. $125,000 was raised in support of Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House to continue to provide supportive care for individuals and families living with cancer in the Oakville Community. Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors, partners and supporters for helping to make this event a tremendous success! Presenting Partner: Betty Birmingham ON NOW AT THE BRICK! Lyndon Fournier A CI BRANDS Thank you for being a Lifeline to Cancer Support! Wellspring is a network ofcommunity-based cancersupport centres, providing FREE programs andservices, without medical referral, to meet the emotional, social, practical and restorative needs of anyone living with cancer, and those who care fo r them. wellspring.ca