| “We are very proud
of our new hospital,” says BBOT President Linda Ford.
“It is truly a marvel, but we believe that our large
and rapidly growing community needs two hospitals and
we plan to continue this campaign to ensure that Brampton
residents have the same level of health care that other
residents in Ontario receive.”
Peel Memorial Hospital was closed on October 28, the
day Brampton Civic Hospital opened, and now sits as
a barren 17 acre hole in the centre of Brampton.
The Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
has appointed a task force to study and report on options
for the old site. Premier Dalton McGuinty has said that
PMH will reopen as some type of health care facility
by 2009, but it’s left to the LHIN to make a recommendation
on what that might be.
“We can’t afford to be complacent about the level of
care required in our community. We need more acute care
beds and we will not be satisfied with anything less,”
says Ford.
“The Brampton Board of Trade will continue to fight
to ensure that Brampton gets the best health care available.
With the new hospital at full compliment, in 2012, Brampton
will have one patient bed per thousand, still well below
the provincial average of 2.7.”
To join the campaign to Save our Hospital visit www.saveourhospital.ca.
Annual General Meeting
BBOT emerges from process of renewal
BBOT President Linda Ford congratulates Past President
Wayne Waters on a successful year as President at
The Brampton Board of Trade Annual General Meeting
held Oct. 26 at the Holiday Inn Select Brampton. |
Last year was a year of renewal for The Brampton Board
of Trade, Past President Wayne Waters told members at
the Annual General Meeting on Oct. 26.
“We have a new strategic plan and over 40 new strategic
actions identified that will provide an even stronger
organization for our members. We will continue to grow
programs and services to meet our members’ needs, provide
leadership advocating for business interests in our
community and beyond, and build strategic partnerships
to make the Board of Trade a stronger organization.”
The Annual General Meeting, held at Holiday Inn Select
Brampton, attracted a good turnout. The Hon. Robert
Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General
of Canada was keynote speaker.
As outgoing President, Waters was proud of the strides
the Board made over the past year. He pointed to the
award-winning Skills Without Borders initiative to raise
employers’ awareness about skilled immigrants in Brampton.
He talked about the Board’s advocacy work on Highway
410, Downtown and Queen Street redevelopment, preserving
employment lands, and more recently the saveourhospital.ca
campaign, as well as hosting political debates for municipal
and provincial elections.
“Your Board is active and engaged and always working
in the best interests of its members. Business does
not function in a vacuum. There is a connection between
quality of life and prosperity and we are making a difference
in Brampton.”
Waters talked about the legacy of the Board of Trade,
celebrating 120 years in 2007-08.
“It’s a testament to the commitment and dedication of
our members. There is still much to be done and I have
no doubt future members will be reflecting on the legacy
we have left today in 120 years.”
Tough on crime
In his speech to members, Attorney General Nicholson
reinforced his government’s commitment to fighting violent
crime.
“Canadians have told us that they want to see action.
They want us to move quickly and decisively to tackle
crime and make our communities safer. They are fed up
with a justice system that puts the rights of criminals
ahead of the rights of law-abiding citizens; fed up
with a revolving door bail system and soft sentences
for serious offenders. And they are fed up with feeling
unsafe in their homes and public places,” he said.
The government has introduced new legislation in Parliament
that deals with drug and alcohol impaired drivers, dangerous
offenders, mandatory jail sentences for gun crimes and
tougher rules on bail. He said this “centerpiece” of
crime fighting sends the right message about criminal
justice in Canada. He said his government was prepared
to go to the electorate if the Opposition parties tried
to sidetrack the Bill.
“It’s our duty as a government to protect our citizens,
make our communities safer and to stand up to crime.
We’re just getting started.”
Brannon Steel
opens $10 million expansion
Brannon Steel has invested $10 million in expanded
facilities at 10 Tillbury Court in Brampton. The
new expansion, which includes 10,000 square feet
of office space, was officially opened Oct. 23.
On hand for the opening from left to right, BBOT
Past
President Wayne Waters, Mayor Susan Fennell, Owner
Al Brannon and Regional Councillor John Sanderson. |
Brannon Steel has made a $10 million investment in
its Brampton plant on Tillbury Court, adding 45,000
square feet of production and office space.
Mayor Susan Fennell, Regional Councillor John Sanderson
and BBOT Past President Wayne Waters were on hand for
the official opening Oct 23.
The new facility includes 35,000 square feet of warehouse
and production space and 10,000 square feet of office
space. The expansion comes on the eve of the company’s
40th anniversary in 2008.
“We are expanding to meeting changing needs and new
opportunities in the marketplace,” said owner Al Brannon.
“We have outgrown our current space and we are looking
to the future.”
Brannon praised employees at the plant and the “family
atmosphere” that has been a significant contributor
to the company’s success.
Established in 1968, T. A. Brannon Steel is a privately
held company with 150 employees.
.
The company operates three shifts daily, five days an
week and supplies quality carbon steel parts to Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Off -Road Construction,
Railroad Locomotive and Freight Cars, Agricultural and
Materials Handling industries, as well as large and
small custom fabricators in Canada and the United States.
Processing capabilities include six CNC oxy-fuel burning
machines capable of processing plate widths to 15 feet
at lengths up to 70 feet; two High Definition Plasma
cutting machines equipped with the new Hypertherm HD4070
torches on a 10 foot by 100 foot downdraft table. The
company provides services in plate and structural rolling,
CNC machining, radial arm drilling, mechanical and flame
beveling and works with an approved list of quality
suppliers for a variety of other services.
The company has expanded its operation to include the
production of big storage tanks, a growing market across
North America.
Brannon Steel is registered to the ISO 9002:1994 Quality
Standard. |
