Annapolis Valley Chamber Leadership Series – Sips & Snacks with Zach Churchill, Leader of the Opposition

Event Details: Date: November 4, 2024 Time: 3 – 5 PM Location: Planters Ridge Winery Format: Address by Zach Churchill, followed by a moderated Q&A session, and Networking. The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce is delighted to invite you to our exclusive Leadership Series, featuring Sips & Snacks with Zach Churchill, Leader of the Opposition. This event is part of our ongoing effort to foster meaningful dialogue between our Chamber members, local business leaders, and provincial party leaders. Join us for an engaging session where Zach Churchill will address the audience, with questions submitted by Chamber Champions and attendees in advance. This event will provide a unique opportunity for an in-depth discussion on the issues that matter most to our business community.

CCEC & Canadian Chamber of Commerce Conference

Conference Recap: Halifax Hosts CCEC and Canadian Chamber of Commerce Conferences That’s a wrap, Halifax! This year’s Canadian Chamber Executives of Canada (CCEC) and Canadian Chamber of Commerce conferences provided our team with unparalleled opportunities to connect, learn, and share insights with Chambers from across the country. These events are always a highlight on our calendar, bringing together leaders dedicated to strengthening our local business ecosystems and fostering sustainable growth. Our team returned with a wealth of new strategies and knowledge, from effective Chamber growth models and best practices to insights into the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. This year’s sessions addressed some of today’s most pressing business challenges, including digital transformation, membership engagement, and advocacy for local economic development. We’re excited to put these fresh ideas into action to better support our members and the Annapolis Valley business community. A special shoutout to our Chair, Jake Rideout, who jumped into policy discussions, lending our voice to key issues impacting Chambers nationwide. Stay tuned as we implement these insights and continue to champion the interests of our vibrant business community!

LAST CALL: Pizza, Puzzle & Pitcher, Night!

November 5, 6-8 PM, at Boston Pizza, New Minas Businesses, it’s time to gather your crew and bring your A-game for some puzzle, pizza, & pitcher action! Can your team outwit, out-puzzle, and out-eat the competition? How it works: Teams of 4 will battle it out – the first team to finish their puzzle and polish off a large pizza wins the glory, prizes, and of course, eternal bragging rights. Cost:

  • $20 per teammate for Chamber members
  • $25 per teammate for potential members (Pitcher is not required to be finished to win. Pizza, puzzle, and a pitcher of your choice included in ticket price!)

Welcome! – New Members

The Chamber Perks Mobile App

The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer all chamber members as part of their membership the Chamber Perks Mobile App for FREE. The Chamber Perks App will allow your business to now be featured on our mobile business directory for all chamber businesses and users who have downloaded the app to easily search for your business. The App will also provide you with a great marketing tool for your business to offer perks and discounts not only to other chamber businesses but to users who download the app.

The Chamber Perks App will also allow your business and your employees the opportunity to save money and take advantage of perks and discounts offered exclusively to chamber businesses and their employees. For more information contact coordinator@annapolisvalleychamber.ca.

Luncheon with Premier Tim Houston

Housing and Infrastructure Nova Scotia’s growth brings significant challenges, particularly in housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and workforce support. In housing, infrastructure struggles to keep up with population growth. While government policy initiatives and partnerships (such as those with Halifax projects and community organizations) aim to expand housing options, the Housing Task Force continues to welcome new ideas from the public on land use and project development.
Healthcare and Human Resources Healthcare also faces pressures, with major infrastructure investments underway to address aging facilities and support the growing population. However, human resource shortages remain a critical issue. Recruitment initiatives focus on attracting more doctors and healthcare workers, including Cape Breton Medical Campus, and a new doctor assessment program.

Economic Development and Workforce Support The province is also focused on economic development, with particular attention on agriculture, where attracting youth and immigrant workers is essential to address sector-specific challenges. Financial literacy has emerged as a priority, especially for students and newcomers. There is potential to partner with nonprofits and enhance financial education within school curriculums, fostering a stronger foundation in essential life skills. Immigration programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program play a crucial role in addressing workforce shortages, especially in agriculture, where temporary workers are vital to the sector’s sustainability.

Policy and Taxation On the policy front, the government is transitioning from traditional funding models for nonprofits to individualized funding, which will impact service delivery. To support small businesses, efforts are underway to reduce tax burdens while balancing investments in healthcare and infrastructure. Recent income tax reforms and proposed HST reductions are part of efforts to stabilize the economy and benefit residents, making Nova Scotia more attractive for both living and business.

Technology and Connectivity Technology and connectivity are also essential, with an emphasis on improving cell service, which currently lags behind internet access. The government has allocated $40–50 million to build towers in underserved areas to address both safety and economic development needs.

Education and Foreign Students Finally, education and support for foreign students are crucial as these students contribute significantly to local institutions and communities. The government is collaborating with NSCC campuses and universities to support student housing, acknowledging the stress that population growth places on local housing availability.

Balancing Growth and Long-term Development In all these areas, the province is engaged in a balancing act, working to support both immediate needs and long-term growth.

Introducing a New Membership Level: Chamber Champion

Chamber Champion is more than just a membership tier; it’s a dynamic partnership designed to drive positive change and shape the future of the Annapolis Valley business community. By becoming a Chamber Champion Partner, you’ll position yourself as a pivotal player in the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, networking opportunities, and community support initiatives.

Here’s a glimpse of what being a Chamber Champion entails:

  • Voice of Leadership: Engage in exclusive roundtable discussions with elected officials, receive special recognition at events, and elevate your leadership profile.
  • Elevated Networking: Opportunity to co-host exclusive networking events, enjoy advance event notice with priority seating, free tickets and special requests to rub elbows with attendees of your choice.
  • Boost your Brand: Gain enhanced visibility, strategic brand exposure, prime website placement, prominent recognition, and event marketing credit to further amplify your brand’s reach.
  • Enhanced Community Support: Demonstrate your commitment to the community through increased support for local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Discover the full details of our Chamber Champions package here. Please contact executivedirector@annapolisvalleychamber.ca for more information, or to attend a personalized meeting. Let’s explore how the Chamber Champion program can benefit your business and contribute to the success of our community.

Atlantic Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to the recipients of the Executive of the Year awards from Atlantic Canada at the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada Annual Conference in Halifax, NS. Their dedication and leadership have truly made a profound impact on their community.
Executive Of The Year
Small Chambers Under 500 Members
Anthony Azard, CEO Cap-Acadie Chamber of Commerce
Executive Of The Year
Large Chambers 1000 Plus Members
Patrick Sullivan, President & CEO Halifax Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Chamber Statement on Immigration Targets Cuts
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce recognizes the government’s efforts to strengthen and ensure our immigration system is sustainable. We are pleased to see that approximately 62% of total permanent resident admissions will be dedicated to the economic class. However, the significant reduction announced today for the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is disappointing for businesses across the country that, in recent months, have had to deal with abrupt and constant changes to immigration policy. Significantly decreasing our labour pool will impact thousands of these employers across Canada struggling to find the workforce they need to operate and grow. Today’s announcement will also reduce Canada’s capacity to attract foreign direct investment. Immigration is a key driver of economic growth and our only source of workforce growth in the near future. It is more imperative than ever in the context of the aging of our population, low fertility rates and current wave of retirements. The future of Canada depends on getting immigration right. We can do better.  – Diana Palmerin-Velasco, Senior Director, Future of Work, Canadian Chamber of Commerce