Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce Awarded Reaccreditation

Iqaluit Nunavut – February 5, 2010 The Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce has been granted reaccreditation status. 

"We are proud to recognize the Baffin Regional chamber as an effective, responsible and well-managed organization, that is making a difference in its community and keeping ‘The Voice of Business’ loud and strong,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

To achieve accreditation, a chamber must satisfy stringent performance requirements in the key areas of governance, operations, membership programming, policy and advocacy activities and strategic planning.  

“We are extremely proud that our chamber has been awarded this prestigious distinction” stated Chris West. “It demonstrates that we provide true value to our members and the Baffin Region and that we operate our business with the same rigor, focus, and conviction as do our members”  

Developed by a team of seasoned local chamber executives, in conjunction with leaders of provincial and territorial chambers and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Accreditation Program is managed by the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada (CACC).   

The accreditation program was created to protect, reinforce and elevate the chamber of commerce brand by signalling to members and the community at large, as well as to competing organizations, that chambers of commerce are professionally run businesses meeting high standards that are uniform across an extensive network.  

Chambers of commerce and boards of trade that are successful in achieving the requirements for accreditation are recognized each year at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.  

For more information on this program contact:

Hal Timar, Executive Director, Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce

(867) 979-4654

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 ‘Buy American’ agreement is a positive step forward:

Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce

<Iqaluit>, February 5, 2010:  The Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce commends the governments of Canada and the United States on reaching a productive and forward-looking agreement on Buy American provisions.

 “This represents an important step forward in our continued engagement with our largest trading partner,” said Chris West, President of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce.  

“While more work needs to be done to counter protectionism in the United States, this agreement has placed us in a better position than our main competitors to receive U.S. stimulus funding,” added Mr. West.  “It has also resulted in greater co-operation between provinces, territories and the federal government – a long-awaited, but very welcomed accomplishment.  The depth of the federal/provincial offer and the speed at which it was put forth is an important precedent which puts us in a good position for the negotiation of future agreements.”  

“We must continue to work with the United States to strengthen our ties and to develop solutions that are beneficial to both parties,” concluded Mr. West. 

Contact:

Hal Timar

Executive Director

Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce (BRCC)

(867) 979-4654

execdir@baffinchamber.ca

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On Tuesday April 20, 2010 will be the 5th Annual Territorial Skills Competition for Skills Nunavut held in Iqaluit. This one day event will be held from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at Inuksuk High School.

Historically the Nunavut Trade Show has always been held in the first week of May in Iqaluit, however due to renovations on our regular venue, the Arctic Winter Games Arena, we will be rescheduling the Trade Show. The expected completion date is in the early Fall and at this point we expect the 2010 Nunavut Trade Show to take place sometime in October. Once we have confirmation on completion we will set a date. Please check back with us!

The 2009/2010 Community Economic Development (CED) Trade, Service and Career Fair season is upon us and the schedule for this year’s trips is as follows:

November 19  – Arctic Bay

December 10   – Pond Inlet

February 18/19 – Sanikiluaq

March 11         – Clyde River

March 25         – Kimmirut

These CED – Trade, Service and Career Fairs are made possible thanks to the funding and support from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

As you see on the schedule, most of these events only require one day trips into the community.  The BRCC would like to encourage businesses and organizations to extend their time in the communities and will work with you to coordinate travel on a one way basis if necessary.

Between September 2010 and March of 2011, The CED Week – Trade, Service and Career Fairs will be visiting the Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Pangnirtung, Cape Dorset, Igloolik, Hall Beach and Qiqiktarjuaq.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns and we hope to see you on our stops around Baffin this year.