|  Neil
has significant credentials in both professional and
community work and is part of a community legacy that
began with his grandfather
A.Grenville Davis, an eminent lawyer and crown attorney
for Peel County, and his father William Grenville Davis,
Premier of Ontario from 1971-85.
“Growing up in my family, you have an innate sense
of the need to give back. Even before I entered law
school I understood the expectation of service to the
community from the examples set by my grandfather and
father.”
Neil says the practice of law also leads to community
involvement. “It’s hard to ignore when you are working
with clients who are trying to make our community a
better place. As a lawyer, you hope to be able to persuade
and influence others and there is an exciting dynamic
when you know that there are benefits to the community.”
“Neil has demonstrated a commitment to his profession
and his community and we are extremely proud to be able
to recognize his contribution,” says BBOT President
Linda Ford. “Like his grandfather and father before
him, he has been a strong advocate for Brampton.”
“I am honoured to be recognized for this prestigious
award. It’s humbling to be part of such a stellar cast
of past recipients, who all have made significant contributions
in so many different ways to their profession and to
their community.”
Neil is a partner in Davis Webb LLP, a company founded
by his grandfather in 1916. The law firm, one of Brampton’s
oldest, specializes in municipal and planning law. Other
areas of the practice include environmental, commercial
real estate and corporate law. It is a full-service
law firm.
This is the first time Business Person of the Year
has been a lawyer.
“People tend to think of law as a profession, but today
it’s very much a business, rooted in the fundamentals
of good business practices – building relationships
and hopefully adding value for out clients. It’s a competitive
marketplace.”
The firm has had a Davis family member involved since
its inception. Bill Davis joined the firm in the mid
1950s. Ronald Webb Q.C. joined Bill and Grenville Davis
in the late 1950s and Neil joined in 1983. Other partners,
Christopher Moon, Ronald Sleightholm, Ellen Pefhany
and Barbara Skupien have many years of distinguished
service.
Neil has been a tireless promoter of Brampton and in
particular downtown Brampton.
He is passionate about building a city where its residents
want to live and their children choose to live and work.
“The real challenge we face around growth is the need
to attempt to shape our city in a way that just doesn’t
measure the number of housing permits issued, but rather
is a qualitative analysis and discussion around the
type of development we want to see in Brampton. Growth
alone is not a measure of success.”
He says the measure of success will come from developing
a small-town feel of community centered on a strong
downtown as Brampton matures into an urban place.
Neil has been a long-time volunteer working with Sheridan
College, the Brampton Board of Trade, Brampton Downtown
Development Corporation, Peel Memorial Hospital Corporate
Fundraising, Supportive Housing of Peel, Peel Safety
Children’s Village and the YMCA to name a few. He is
also an advisor to the Brampton and Area Community Foundation.
He is married to Ruth with two children, Kathleen and
Christine.
The Brampton Board of Trade is planning a celebration
and roast at Pearson Convention Center 2638 Steeles
Ave. E., at Airport Rd., on Thursday Feb. 21. Tickets
are available online.
BBOT surveys
Good response from members
The Brampton Board of Trade recently asked members
to complete two surveys as part of its ongoing mission
to improve services to members.
The surveys explored member needs for education and
training and member satisfaction around existing programs
and services. Read More
“It’s important that we regularly consult our membership
to better understand how we can enhance their experience
as a Board of Trade member. These surveys are touchstones
along in our Strategic Plan that will help us fully
understand member needs,” says BBOT CEO Sheldon Leiba.
Training survey
The Education and Training survey identified that members
are most interested in workshops discussing business
planning, branding and business development topics but
only in two hour increments and preferably in the morning
between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.
“Our members are clearly busy and while they are interested
in training, it has to fit into their schedules and
their budget,” says Carrie Andrews BBOT Operations Manager.
“We have already started to prepare a calendar of learning
and development programs beginning early next year.
The format will meet our member’s identified needs -
two hour sessions early in the day so our members can
benefit from some highly focused training without a
significant impact on their workday.”
Watch Trade Talks and the BBOT website at www.bramptonbot.com
for details.
Service Survey
The Membership Service and Satisfaction Survey was intended
to poll members on the value of existing programs and
services, areas for improvement and new ideas for additional
services.
Members responded that business development opportunities
and community support as the primary reasons for joining
the Board.
They said After Business events, Trade Talks, the online
directory and access to business and government information
were important services offered by the Board of Trade.
The majority said the Board was doing a good or very
good job with networking events and communication tools
like Trade Talks, the BBOT website, e-Newsletter and
Business Directory. But some members wanted better access
to business and government information. Others wanted
even more networking events, business education sessions
and business information, including more news about
the activities of The Ontario and Canadian Chambers
of Commerce.
“Two things are clear from these services – our members
are busy people but have needs that for the most part
we meet. There are some areas that require improvement
and we plan to act on those suggestions,” says Andrews.
“We would like to thank all members for their participation.
We will be doing more surveys throughout the year in
an attempt to keep abreast of the needs and wants of
our members. We value our members’ opinions.”
WSIB adopts BBOT policy
A Brampton Board of Trade policy proposal, approved
by The Ontario Chamber of Commerce two years ago, has
become policy of The Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board (WSIB). Read More
Previous to this policy change, employers who were
engaged in industries that are covered on a compulsory
basis were required to register with the WSIB within
10 days of hiring their first worker. Employers who
were not registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board (WSIB), but who should have been by law, were
subject to significant financial and legal penalties.
In 2005 and 2006, the WSIB caught over 16,000 non-compliant
employers.
”Some of these businesses were simply unaware that
they are required to register, and others that became
aware after commencing business were deterred from registering
due to the WSIB’s strict policy, which required voluntary
registrants to pay retroactive premiums for the length
of time that the business was not registered, plus interest
and penalties. A small minority were aware of their
obligation to register but did not. As a result, these
businesses didn’t contribute to the WSIB’s activities
through premiums, and often avoided liability by directly
paying injured workers sums, which were less than they
would have received under the fund. These businesses
benefited from an unfair cost advantage at the expense
of workers and others,” says BBOT CEO Sheldon Leiba.
Voluntary Registration is a new policy for employers
who are not registered with the WSIB, but who should
be registered. Under the Voluntary Registration policy,
employers are encouraged to step forward and register
their business with terms that are favourable.
Full Amnesty
From October 29, 2007 until March 31, 2008, there will
be a full amnesty for voluntary registrants. A full
amnesty means no penalties for not reporting, no reconciliation
interest, no retroactive premiums, and no prosecution
under the Provincial Offences Act at the time of registration.
Premium remittance will begin from the date of first
contact with the WSIB.
Permanent Program
Beginning April 1, 2008 and on a continuing basis, all
voluntary registrants will receive a partial amnesty,
including no penalties, no reconciliation interest on
retroactive premiums, or prosecution at the time of
registration. However, premiums will be retroactive
to the date of first hire or January 1 of the year preceding
the date of voluntary registration, whichever is later.
Important to note
The policy is not applicable to employers who have been
identified for registration by the WSIB's various enforcement
activities prior to their voluntary registration.
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