Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara was the keynote
speaker at The Brampton Board of Trade’s Annual
General Meeting last month. Here, Sorbara, center,
is pictured with from left Sheldon Leiba, BBOT General
Manager; Anna Iacobelli, representing the event
sponsor TD Canada Trust Small Business Banking,
BBOT President Wayne Waters and Michael Luchenski,
BBOT Past President |
Sorbara addressed about 125 business people at The Brampton
Board of Trade’s Annual General Meeting, at IL Cavaliere
Banquet Hall Oct. 13.
“Your MPPs speak forcefully on behalf of Brampton, and
we are listening,” he said.
Sorbara was at ease with the crowd as he touched on a
number of issues including the Liberal government track
record, Ontario’s economy and the fiscal imbalance with
Ottawa.
The minister provided a three year review of the Liberal
agenda, emphasizing that they inherited a deficit when
they took office.
The first budget, he said, focused on health care wait
times and reducing class sizes in schools. In the second
budget “we invested $6.2 billion over five years in colleges
and universities, which is a clear statement of how important
education is to our government.”
The most recent budget focuses on “Move Ontario” a program
aimed at fixing roads and bridges with an $850 million
investment in public transit in the GTA, including a $95
million investment in Brampton’s AcceleRide program.
Sorbara predicted the Ontario economy will slow down,
constrained by a number of external factors including
the increased value of the Canadian dollar, slowing of
the U.S. economy and strong competition from emerging
economies like China and India. "These are factors
that we cannot control,” he told the audience.
However, he said Ontario was under further pressure because
of the ongoing debate with the federal government over
fiscal imbalance.
“It’s the $23 billion gap, that’s more going out than
coming in,” he said.
Sorbara said Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative
government promised to uphold the agreement Ontario struck
with the former Liberal government, which would have provided
the province with $6.8 billion over the next 4 years,
but has since reneged on the deal setting up a $3 billion
trust fund instead. Ontario’s share of the trust fund
is $1.2 billion, Sorbara said.
“We relied on that money. We budgeted for it. It’s not
fair to Ontarians. It’s inappropriate treatment.”
The minister said the province needs the support of the
federal government to meet economic growth in Ontario.
He pointed to the joint Canada Ontario agreement on Labour
Market Development, a program that costs $1.3 billion.
“Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is providing $584 million
in tax credits and he thinks that meets their obligation.”
I don't have to tell The Brampton Board of Trade how important
labour market development is in this city," Sorbara
said, “given the important flow of immigration from every
part of the world.”
After the Board of Trade conducted its official business,
approving its audited financial statements, Sorbara said
he had been able to pick up a few pointers. The Board
of Trade generated a small surplus last year and its budget
passed without debate.
Small Business of
the Month
Orange Tree Fine Catering owners Paula and Chris
Groenendyk are congratulated by BBOT VP of Membership
Linda Ford, right, on being selected the Small Business
of the Month. |
Congratulations to Orange Tree Fine Catering ion being
selected our Small Business of the Month.
CONTACT
55 Selby Road, Unit A-6
Brampton, Ontario L6W 1K5
905-455-9361
www.orangetreefinecatering.com
Orange Tree Fine Catering is a corporate and social
caterer as well as an event planning company. We are
small enough for the personal touch but with enough
experience to ensure that any size event will be something
special. For corporate functions, social gatherings,
holiday celebrations, garden receptions, weddings and
more, our commitment to exceptional food and service
will make your next event one to remember.
We are proud to have been named a Preferred Caterer
to the prestigious new Rose Theatre, where we have recently
catered to several significant events as well as many
of the performers.
At Orange Tree Fine Catering, we take the stress out
of planning & organizing your special events. With
our all inclusive wedding reception and garden reception
packages, virtually all of the details are taken care
of. Corporate Bar-B-Q’s are perfect for team building
events or performance rewards.
A big part of our business, especially around the holiday
season, is making our gift baskets. We can create customized
baskets with a festive or corporate theme, perfect for
thanking clients for your business relationship or employees
for a job well done.
Owners Paula and Chris Groenendyk have worked in the
foodservice industry for numerous caterers and restaurants
in the GTA and western Canada for many years, gaining
valuable training and expertise. Deciding in 2004 that
the time was right to start their own business, Orange
Tree Fine Catering Inc came to life. Since then, a loyal
following of customers looking for the very best in
corporate and social catering have helped build Orange
Tree Fine Catering into one of Brampton’s leading caterers.
Our attention to detail is unsurpassed and our focus
on client and guest satisfaction is a top priority.
We take great pride in providing exceptional, personal
service and in using only the freshest ingredients available.
Part of that personalized service includes tasting of
sample menus in most cases, and certainly for larger,
full service events.
As hands-on operators, we are available to serve our
clients sometimes with as little as a couple of hours
notice. With our reliable, knowledgeable kitchen staff
and a network of serving staff we are able to competently
staff even the largest event.
With the recent move to our centrally located premises
at 55 Selby Road comes the ability to cater to virtually
any size party. Our strength is our adaptability in
creating customized menus based on our clients’ specific
requests. We offer a vast selection of innovative and
creative menu ideas. We can help with all of the arrangements
including professional service staff, floral arrangements,
special décor and more.
Check out www.orangetreefinecatering.com or email orangetree@rogers.com
or call (905) 455-9361 for the very best in catering
for your next event.
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