The Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce has named a new Executive Director.
Wayne Fiander brings a wealth of experience to the position, including
management, marketing, government affairs and several years as a volunteer
with the Chamber of Commerce movement.

“Mr. Fiander will make an excellent addition to our team,” says NSCoC
President Chris Atwood. “His time spent as Clerk and Deputy Clerk at the
municipal government level and the fact that he worked directly for two
former Premiers of Nova Scotia means he has an intricate understanding of
how government works. This is very beneficial to the NSCoC.”

Fiander also has extensive experience in the private sector, from managing a
local retail pharmacy to being responsible for the marketing and
merchandising of 78 pharmacies in Atlantic Canada under the Pharmasave
brand. He also has volunteer experience with the Chamber movement, serving
terms as President with the East Hants and District Chamber of Commerce as
well as the Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce.

For the past 25 plus years, the management of the Nova Scotia Chambers of
Commerce has been handled by the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce. The
TDCoC recently decided it was time to concentrate, full-time, on its members
at the local level, meaning the Executive Director position needed to be
refilled.

“The Truro Chamber has served our organization very well for a quarter of a
century”, says Atwood. “We are very thankful for their service and wish the
organization the best as it goes forward and puts its full cache of
resources behind its 430 members.”

There is a transition period involved. Fiander will formally takeover the
position of Executive Director at the beginning of the New Year.

The Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce is the umbrella group for 33 Chambers
in the province, comprised of close to 7000 members. Its main focus is
advocacy on behalf of members at the provincial level. 

Media Inquires:

Chris Atwood
President
Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce
(902) 740-4132

Today I was happy to receive a copy of the  resolution passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature recognizing the efforts of the 10 to 20 Project.  See a copy of the resolution…

It was a little over a year ago that in cooperation with the South Queens Chamber of Commerce and the North Queens Board of Trade that we launched this ambitious effort to change local attitudes and increase local spending.

I know that the numbers behind the project’s formation were hard to believe for some, that just a 10% shift in local spending would generate $20 million in our economy.

At its core though, it has never been about the numbers, it has been about our community coming together. This has been demonstrated by the wonderful working relationship that has developed between the RQM and the Chamber of Commerce and the North Queens Board of Trade. It is this cooperation at the fundamental level that has been for me the most satisfying and for which I am most proud. We are seeing positive results from the Project in practical terms as well, with businesses reporting consumer awareness of the Project and the resulting shift in thinking. We still have a lot of work left to do, but we are extremely pleased so far.

The 10 to 20 Project Team, Mark Sloan, Monica Howard and myself, are extremely grateful for all of the support we have received and are excited about new opportunities on the horizon. We have enjoyed speaking and working with Council, the Chamber, the Board of Trade, the department Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, but most importantly with the general public and our youth.

Written by:

Phaedra Charlton-Huskins                                                                                                                                                                                Economic Development Officer 
Region of Queens Municipality

Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce

605 Prince Street

Truro, NS

B2N 1G2

News Release
November 21st, 2011

The Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce is very disappointed with the introduction of the First Contract Arbitration legislation by the Dexter Government. The NSCoC stresses that this legislation does nothing to promote business growth or retention in the province of Nova Scotia.

“I am very disappointed that despite businesses large and small and several business organizations voicing their objection and concern to the Premier, here we are today with more anti-business legislation” says Chris Atwood, president of the NS Chambers. “Bill 100 was brought in under the exact same circumstances.”

The purpose of the Trade Union Act is to respect the rights of employees to organize. It is widely recognized that since 2003, Nova Scotia’s time lost due to work stoppages has been consistently below the national average and that 97% of bargaining does reach agreement during conciliation. The most compelling fact is that for the last fourteen years the Labour board has only ordered parties to bargain in good faith three times. That is one of the best records in Canada and speaks volumes that this legislation is totally unnecessary.

“I have a great deal of concern that the FCA legislation could hurt future investment in this province,” adds Atwood. “We can only hope that government will start listening to our concerns.

The Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce has never been provided with any significant rationale as to why this legislation is necessary and firmly believes there are much more pressing issues facing this province.

The NSCoC is comprised of 33 Chambers of Commerce across the province representing close to 7000 businesses of all sizes.

Media Inquiries:

Chris Atwood
President
Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce
(902) 740-4132

The South Queens Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Meet and Greet Luncheon on November 28, 2011 at Lanes Privateer Inn from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  This is an opportunity to meet Jaimie Baillie, leader of the PC Party, and discuss local economic issues.  For the past five consecutive years, he has been recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 business leaders.  Jamie learned his small town values of hard work, caring about your neighbour and helping others succeed growing up in Truro.Ha

Tickets are $20.00, please RSVP by emailing Bruce Inglis at bruce.inglis@sunlife.com.