 In
April, the Small Business Enterprise Centre celebrated
its 25,000 client – In Spec Systems. From left Tony
DePascal, Vice President, Commerical Planning -
Region of Peel. RBC Financial, Sheldon Leiba, CEO
of the Brampton Board of Trade, Wally Dzoutzidis
and Mason Hiles of In Spec Systems, Cassandra Baccardax,
Economic Development Officer –Entrepreneurship at
Brampton’s Small Business Enterprise Centre and
Dennis Cutajar, Commissioner, Economic Development
& Public Relations for The City of Brampton. |
Since opening in 1998, the Small Business Enterprise
Centre has been providing advice and information about
starting, owning and managing a small business. The
centre operates in partnership with the Ontario Ministry
of Government Services. RBC Financial has been a sponsor
of the Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre since
its inception.
The event celebrates the registration of “In Spec Systems”
a newly established partnership between Wally Dzoutzidis
and Mason Hiles. This mechanical company works with
laboratories, test facilities and medical companies
in southern Ontario, performing service, maintenance
and calibrations on environmental chambers, freeze dryers,
lab freezers, refrigerators and ovens.
Wally and Mason bring more than 47 years of industry
experience and scientific background. That combined
with their hands on approach to customer service, prompt
response times and reasonable pricing makes them an
appealing alternative for this market. In Spec Services
can be reached at 416-745-0220 or by e-mail at InSpecSystems@sympatico.ca.
The Small Business Enterprise Centre is located on
the main floor at 33 Queen St. W. in downtown Brampton.
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Rotary
Rib ‘n’ Roll ready to rock
The Rotary Club of Brampton’s popular ribfest, called
Rib ‘n’ Roll, runs Friday and Saturday May 25 and 26
in Gage Park and based on last year the park will be
jumping. READ MORE
“We have been steadily growing for three years as Bramptonians
get to know we have a first class event right in the
downtown core. Last year’s proceeds were down a bit
from previous years but we expanded the ribfest to two
days and we still raised more than $20,000 for The Canadian
Cancer Society. We hope to be able to raise even more
money this year as people get to know we are open for
business both Friday and Saturday.” says event chairman
Rob van Kessel.
The event will be staged in Gage Park on Friday evening
from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Saturday from 12 noon to 11
p.m.
“We seem to be attracting two different crowds, couples
and singles on Friday and families on Saturday. We want
to keep Saturday as Family Day and we have geared our
entertainment and park activities to families on Saturday,”
van Kessel said.
Music rules on both days with a new lineup this year
including Marc Ekins, Johnny Max, Itchy and Scratchy
and Uptown Express. On Saturday, there is plenty of
activity for children including jumping toys, face painting,
balloons and two magic shows featuring Princess Karma.
Music is continuous throughout the afternoon and evening.
Check www.ribnroll.com for details and times.
Rotary Rib ‘n’ Roll uses local ribbers and this year’s
lineup includes Clock “n” Hen, Jake’s Boathouse, Louisiana,
and Turtle Jack’s. “We started out with the premise
that as Brampton Rotarians we wanted to support local
businesses and that’s why we use local ribbers, who
over the years have developed a comfortable groove with
this event,” says van Kessel.
“We also get terrific support from local business,
our key sponsors are RBC Royal Bank, Investors Group,
RBC Dominion Securities, TD Canada Trust, Justine Blainey
Wellness Centre, Cool Beer, The Marketing PAD, The Brampton
Guardian, Frito Lay, Lawrences, Rutherford Collision,
GMF Transport, CGA Accountant Ashwani Sood, and Accurate
Accounting.
“Chief among our sponsors is the City of Brampton and
they have been tremendous supporters since we started
this event many years ago. We can not place a value
on how much the city provides in terms of their expertise
and support. We would not have this event without their
help,” says van Kessel. “These sponsorships allow us
to raise money for our community and we are extremely
grateful for their support.”
Rib ‘n’ Roll grew out of a Blade-a-thon, an annual
rollerblading event sponsored by The Rotary Club of
Brampton.
“Rollerblading is still and important component of
this event. “We have challenged all the banks, as well
as the police and fire department to develop teams of
skaters, and raise pledges for The Canadian Cancer Society.
We hope they will take up this challenge and come and
compete for top donor on Saturday between 12 noon to
1:30 p.m.”
“We invite anyone to raise pledges - from neighbours,
friends and business associates – and come and skate
at Gage Park.” Pledge sheets are available by calling
the Canadian Cancer Society at 905 451 4460 or visiting
www.ribnroll.com.
“The event is growing and we are getting help from
other service organizations but we are always looking
for volunteers. It’s a great opportunity for students
who need volunteer time. Information is available on
our website on how to get involved,” says van Kessel.
 South
Asian Focus
Metroland launches new community paper
Metroland Group newspaper The Brampton Guardian has
launched South Asian Focus, a new community newspaper
aimed at Bramptonians who have their roots in the Subcontinent.
READ MORE
South Asian Focus will mirror the achievements, hopes,
aspirations, challenges and concerns of the resilient
South Asian community, which continues to grow and thrive
in ever larger numbers through the region.
“Our primary reason for launching this newspaper is
to reflect the immense contributions of the hard-working
South Asian community towards Canada’s overall growth
and development,” said its editor, Sunil Rao.
“While highlighting the community’s achievements, we
will perhaps more importantly also air their concerns
in a frank and forthright manner so that these can be
brought to the attention of the authorities concerned,”
he said.
The weekly tabloid newspaper is published every Thursday
and is delivered directly to homes in residential areas
that have high concentrations of South Asians. It is
also available at around 50 public locations throughout
Brampton.
Rao agreed there are several newspapers serving the
community, but said the focus in the new paper would
be on community news, unlike many of the existing newspapers.
“Sure, we’ll have news from the Subcontinent as well,
including Bollywood and Sports — but our content will
concentrate on the community here in Brampton and in
the region, the businesses developing here, our home-grown
sportspeople — and this should appeal to both new immigrants
as well first and second generation Canadians who have
their roots in the Subcontinent,” he said.
“Our other USP (unique selling proposition) is direct
home delivery to our readership. And we have a strong
team, backed by the Metroland Group’s considerable resources,”
he added.
The paper has already got off to a bright start, with
community members quickly having adopted it as their
own, to reflect their achievements and aspirations in
the wider Canadian perspective.
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Job
Fair a success
More than 300 job seekers and 40 companies participated
in a Brampton Board of Trade sponsored Job Fair at the
Holiday Inn Select in April. The Job Fair is part of
the BBOT’s “Skills Without Borders – Connecting Employers
and Skilled Immigrants” program. READ MORE
The Brampton Board of Trade hosted the Job Fair to
promote and facilitate the hiring of newcomers, as a
way of addressing the shortage of skills and labour
required by various employers in our community
The event featured exhibits and staff from 40 leading
employers in the region with current or anticipated
job openings to fill. The Board of Trade received funding
support from The Region of Peel and Service Canada.
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