THEVOICEOF OTTAWA’S BUSINESS COMMUNITYS P R I N G 2 0 1 4 • V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5

Monday, April 14, 2014 • obj.ca • Page 11

By Leo Valiquette

THE ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE wants to know how you would tweak the federal government’s controversial Canada Jobs Grant, to make it a more ef-fective tool for addressing the province’s skills shortages.

The Ontario Chamber and the Ottawa Chamber, in partnership with Essential Skills Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universi-ties, held a roundtable in Ottawa last week to discuss how training programs, such as the Canada Jobs Grant, should be designed to meet the needs of employers.

The roundtable included a diverse crowd of attend-ees -- local employers, private schools, staffing and em-ployment services organizations, and industry groups.

If there was one point such a mixed group could agree on, it was that there can be no “one-size-fits-all” solution. The term that emerged was “mass customization” – any such program must have the flexibility and adaptability to address the spe-cific needs and circumstances of dif-ferent industry sectors and different local markets across the country. No one policy will do. And if that wasn’t enough, decisions to approve applica-tions must be made at the speed of business – days or weeks rather than months.

That requires “leadership – from all levels of govern-ment,” said Gregory Matte, national executive director of Helmets to Hardhats. His organization works to help current and former military personnel transition into civilian employment in the trades.

OVERCOMING ‘BUREAUCRATIC INERTIA’But Matte questioned how this can happen given “bu-reaucratic inertia.”

It’s a fair question.As first presented in the 2013 federal budget, the

Canada Jobs Grant called for $300 million of the $500 million the feds transfer each year to the provinces and territories for existing Labour Market Agreements to be reallocated. This raised immediate concerns about

money being taken from other, valuable programs for vulnerable workers.

The program also called for the feds, the provincial or territorial government, and an employer to each contrib-ute up to $5,000, for a total of $15,000, to help train some-one for a job. That sparked concerns about the strain this could put on smaller employers with lean budgets.

The feds have since agreed to give provinces and territo-ries more flexibility over how they budget where their share comes from, and also provide small businesses with the op-tion to count wages toward their contribution.

But the devil is in the details, and the details are largely in the lap of provincial and territorial governments, who must figure out how to implement and manage the program.

For Mara Taracievicz-Arno, VP of operations at local data center opera-tor Superna, a big sticking point is the requirement for a business to use a third-party entity for training. But as a niche player in a niche industry, Superna must often develop its own in-house training programs. Finding that a government program is a wrong fit for the tech com-pany’s specialized needs is nothing new to her.

“We never depend on those funds,” she said.

Richard Hayter, with the Eastern On-tario and Western Quebec Building Trades Council, emphasized the value of bolster-ing the mechanism that already exists for workplace training – the traditional ap-prenticeship model, which has suffered a steady decline in popularity.

A valid point, but Alan Kearns, ca-reer coach and founder of CareerJoy, ob-served “in a global economy, why would an employer invest in an apprenticeship program, when they can bring in some-one from another country and have a just-in-time employee?”

That was an oblique reference to the often-maligned Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which the federal government

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V TALK CAPITAL

Ontario Chamber road show hits Ottawa

One Size Will Not Fit AllTHE CANADA JOBS GRANT:

“Employers need to be

incentivized to

give people a break.”

GREGORY MATTE

OTTAWA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER • @ottawachamber2 THE VOICE Summer 2013Page

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CHAMBER BOOSTSAFFINITY PROGRAM

The Ottawa Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Edge to Epic to provide Members will un-limited access to discounted business services.

Edge to Epic’s unique online platform and innovative collective purchasing approach connects busi-nesses to exclusive preferred rates and volume savings.

Chamber members simply log in to the Epic Perks portal on the Chamber website to access programs such as business insurance, travel, videoconferencing, payment process-ing, employee perks, mobile plans, for-eign exchange and payroll.

Keep in touch with us on social media:

@ottawachamberfacebook.com/ottawachamber

www.ottawachamber.cainfo@ottawachamber.ca

To join the Chamber contact, Alexandra Walsh, Director of Membership Services613.236.3631 Ext 127 or visit online www.ottawachamber.ca

BOARD MEMBERS

BUILDING TOWARDS 2017

EXECUTIVE MEMBERSMark Sutcliffe, 2014 Chair(Writer Broadcaster – CEO Great River Media) Michael Crockatt, Vice Chair(Vice President, Business Development and Marketing – Ottawa International Airport Authority) Dianne King, Vice Chair(General Manager – AVW Telav) Jeffrey Sullivan, Treasurer(Partner – Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP) Craig Bater, Board Secretary(Augustine Bater Binks LLP)

Dave Donaldson, Immediate Past Chair (Dean, School of Business - Algonquin College)

DIRECTORSIwona Albrecht(Lawyer - Soloway Wright LLP) Don Anderson(Partner Janet LeBlanc +Associates) Dirk Bouwer(Partner – Perley Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP) Keith Parker(President – The Proposal Centre)

Brian Hurley(CEO –Purple Forge)

Jacqueline Richards(Mortgage Agent – Dominion Lending Centres) Marie Boivin(Managing Partner – Accu-Rate Corporation) Dick Brown(Executive Director – Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association) Steve Conrad(CEO – Yorkville Asset Management)

Moe Abbas(CEO- Ottawa General Contractors)

WITH THE UPSWING in home and work activ-ity that spring brings, there is a parallel upswing in activity at the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and with its members.

Of recent, we have undertaken a number of sig-nificant networking events that have provided con-siderable content and issues for discussion amongst Ottawa Chamber members, from former Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty speaking on income splitting at our February Post-Budget Breakfast; to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau outlining his support for many local initiatives in Ottawa, such as LRT and the Ottawa river cleanup; and our new Professional Development Series on Networking and on Social Media – both of which are led by Ottawa Chamber members and have been extremely well received by participants.

These are exciting days to live and do business in Ottawa. We are benefitting from strong leadership on City Council, which will begin a renewal process of its own, in anticipation of October’s election. Our eco-nomic outlook and growth prospects continue to im-prove, as evidenced by the Ottawa Chamber’s Business Confidence Index results that were recently released.

Incremental improvement is occurring as we tackle some of the salient issues on the minds of

business owners and their employees. One of the most significant issues facing business today is ac-cess to qualified and skilled workers. The Ottawa Chamber, in cooperation with government and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, has delved into the complex issues of training and immigra-tion – through Ottawa Chamber member-attended roundtables. Both issues need reform and reinvigo-ration, and must happen effectively, efficiently and speedily for businesses to attract and retain the skilled employees that are integral to their success.

Please join us in ensuring your valuable input is being heard. We want to continue to be your voice, to connect you with potential business opportuni-ties and to advocate to government on those mat-ters that you feel are important.

Ian Faris, President & CEO Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

V NOTE FROM THE 2014 CHAIRThe Voice is published quarterly byGreat River Media Inc. on behalf ofthe Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.

PUBLISHERMichael Curranpublisher@obj.ca

EDITORLeo Valiquetteleo@leovaliquette.com613-769-9479

COPY EDITORRobert Janelle

CREATIVE DIRECTORTanya Connolly-Holmes

DESIGN & PRODUCTIONSarah EllisRegan Van Dusen

ADVERTISINGWendy BailyKaren McNamaraWalter O’HalloranSusan SalsburyBrenda Trokechamber@greatriver.ca

Great River Media Inc.P.O. Box 3814, Station COttawa, ON K1Y 4J8613-728-4786

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERMark Sutcliffe

PRESIDENTMichael Curran

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERDonna Neil

Canada Post PublicationsPM#41639025 • Postage paid at Ottawa, ONReturn undeliverable Canadian and otheraddresses to: Great River MediaP.O. Box 3814, Station C, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4J8

Printed in Canada.

328 Somerset St. W.Ottawa, ON K2P 0J9Phone: 613-236-3631www.ottawachamber.ca

has already been working to overhaul, amid criti-cisms that it has become too easy for employers to look overseas for workers rather than invest in the domestic labour pool.

‘SKIN IN THE GAME’Josh Hjartarson, the moderator of the event and the Ontario Chamber’s VP of policy and govern-ment relations, acknowledged there must be an emphasis on getting “employers to have more skin in the game,” because many see a skilled labour force as something provided by govern-

ment, rather than a resource they must invest in.“Employers need to be incentivized to give

people a break,” added Matte.But this is not to suggest that small and me-

diums-sized businesses have in some way been shirking their responsibilities. Instead, how must the Canada Jobs Grant be tweaked in a practical sense for it to provide the most benefits to em-ployers, without creating onerous burdens, or, as in Superna’s case, provide any value at all?

The recommendations included:• A customized approach that targets key

sectors

• Cutting the red tape for businesses to apply• Making employer contributions tax de-

ductible• Provide an “either/or” option, for em-

ployers to who can’t find that qualified third-party trainer capable of serving their unique needs.

• Recognize the role of career colleges such as Herzing, in addition to the tradi-tional post-secondary institutions.

• Consider how the apprenticeship model can be streamlined to make it more appealing to employers, and

produce more journeypersons, faster.Regular consultation between govern-

ment and educational institutions, and the staffing/employment services organizations and employers who know the current and near-term labour needs of specific industries.

The Ontario Chamber’s road show will continue in the coming months, with the next stops in Guelph and Sudbury. The end goal is a series of recommendations that the Chamber can present to government policy makers. V Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Eagle’s NestPhoto by Kristy McLean

Monday, April 14, 2014 • obj.ca • Page 13

V BRIEFS

CHAMBER’S NEW SITE TAKES FLIGHT

The Ottawa Chamber of

Commerce recently launched a

new website to provide Members

with greater exposure, and

easier online access to the

information and benefits they

value most.

The new homepage serves as a

single convenient dashboard to

quickly update on what’s new.

Featured Events, New Members,

Chamber News headlines, and

Tweets are displayed in the own

scrolling newsfeeds on the page.

The site also has a new

Members-only portal, which

is packed with resources and

features, such as:

• Postyournewsrelease

• Submitmember-to-memberdeals

• Postyoureventstothecalendar

• Submitjobpostings

Members can also upload

company logos, corporate videos

and other marketing material to

improve their brand visibility.

TIME AGAIN FOR THE FORTY UNDER 40 GALA

Come out and pay tribute to the

National Capital Region’s young

business stars. The Forty under

40 recognizes individuals who

balance business achievement,

professional expertise and

community involvement.

A phenomenal 267

nominations have been

submitted for this year’s Forty

under 40. The 2014 recipients

will be announced in late April,

and the gala will take place on

June 19 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy

Hotel. It’s always a dynamic and

fun evening, filled with energy

and excitement. The gala

features cocktails, fine food,

music and dancing. It’s also a

fundraiser for the Royal Ottawa

Foundation for Mental Health,

with a charity draw that includes

fabulous prizes.

To learn more, please visit

www.obj.ca/FlyingPage/40

ARE YOU ONE OF OTTAWA’S FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES?

Don’t wait! The application

deadline for the 2014 edition of

Fastest Growing Companies is

April 21.

Each year, the Ottawa

Business Journal and the

Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

seeks out the region’s fastest

growing private companies and

recognizes them at an awards

cocktail event in the early

spring.

No matter what industry

you’re in — if you’re a startup or a

seasoned player — your company

may qualify to be recognized

for substantial, sustainable and

profitable growth. To be eligible,

nominated companies must be

headquartered in the National

Capital Region and demonstrate

revenue growth and positive cash

flow over the past three years.

The Ottawa Business

Journal will publish a special

report featuring this year’s

Fastest Growing Companies, to

celebrate entrepreneurship and

uncover successful management

practices.

To learn more, or to submit

an application, please visit www.

obj.ca/FlyingPage/1202

WHAT’S ON DECK

FortyUnder40

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Grow the people side of your business with:

1. HR Hotline: fast HR answers via phone/email

2. Resources: ready-to-use HR policies, forms and document templates

3. Online self-serve HR knowledgebase

4. HR Professional magazine—Canada’s largest circulation HR publication

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Protect your small business against

employment-related litigation.

$1,000,000 limit per claim!

EZ HR gives you the Human Resources tools

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Learn more how EZ HR can build and protect your small business: HRPA.ca/OttawaEZHR HR

Learn more about everything HRPA has to offer: HRPA.ca

The Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) is the professional regulatory body and the professional association for Human Resources professionals in Ontario. It oversees more than 20,000 members in 28 chapters across the province. It connects members with an unmatched range of HR information resources, events, professional development and networking opportunities and annually hosts Canada’s largest HR conference. In Ontario, HRPA issues the Certifi ed Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation, the national standard for excellence in human resources management and the Senior Human Resources Professional (SHRP) designation, reserved for high-impact HR leaders.www.hrpa.ca

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