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Writer's pictureIdalia Obregon
Sep 189 min read

September Newsletter

Dear BCCTC members and friends, 


We hope you had a very enoyable Canadian summer. We are back with a full agenda to support your business endeavours - from providing you with key information on Canada-UK relations to offering you opportunities to meet like minded business people.


Do you have an idea for a program? Want to host an event? Let us know! info@bcctc.ca


British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce


BCCTC September Newsletter


UK-Canada Industry News and Updates

  • UK-Canada Trade & Inv stats

  • Q2 2024 GDP: Positive surprise with underlying weakness

  • The Canada-U.K. supply chain gets stronger

  • UK Aviation Industry - Red Arrows visit Canada!

  • Mr Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, speaks at the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce, "Rewired, recast and redirected - global trade and implications for Canada"

  • How Canada fits into the new UK government's plans for economic growth. By British High Commission, Ottawa

  • Ongoing Compliance: Maintaining the ISC Register for Ontario Corporations By Fiona Brown, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP


BCCTC Member Success Stories

  • Niagara Region Launches Signature Sites Tool to Promote Development Opportunities 🌟

  • Trajectory Brands: WanderNiagara.

  • Diageo


Member and Events Updates

  • International Summer Cocktail

  • MOU between the City of Brampton and the UK charity Lord's Taverners.


Member Offers

  • Tools from BCCTC Member ACCA to accelerate your Career and your Business!


EUCCAN

  • The newly appointed EU Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Geneviève Tuts, to speak at Conference in Toronto, coinciding with the anniversary of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).


British Community in Canada

The St George's Society invites BCCTC members to their upcoming activities in the fall.


Upcoming Events

Join us! Your BCCTC membership gives you discounts to all! 


Chevening Awards


Three Canadian Chevening Scholars will head to the UK on fully-funded post-grad scholarships this fall—a list which includes Canada’s first-ever Indigenous Chevening scholar, a Vancouver lawyer, and a naval officer based in based in Nova Scotia. 


Follow in their footsteps in 2025 - Apply at the link below to apply by November 5th: 


UK-Canada Industry News and Updates


UK-Canada Trade & Inv Stats

Date of release: 22 August 2024; Date of next planned release: 20 September 2024

Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Canada was £25.8 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024, a decrease of 1.1% or £277 million in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023. Of this £25.8 billion:

• Total UK exports to Canada amounted to £16.1 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024 (an increase of 1.7% or £264 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023);

• Total UK imports from Canada amounted to £9.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024 (a decrease of 5.3% or £541 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023).

Canada was the UK’s 16th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024 accounting for 1.5% of total UK trade. Read More.



The Canada-U.K. supply chain just got stronger!

By Canada Border Services Agency

The CBSA has teamed up with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HM Revenue & Customs) to make trade between Canada and the U.K. easier and more secure by signing a Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

This means Canada and the U.K. will now be able to recognize each other’s Trusted Trader members as low-risk and eligible for benefits, such as streamlined border processing.

This will further support economic competitiveness and strengthen the supply chain. Learn more.



Q2 2024 GDP: Positive surprise with underlying weakness

Canada’s real GDP grew by 2.1% annualized in the second quarter, outperforming market expectations. Business investment was a positive surprise, growing by 10.3%, with notable spending on machinery and equipment. Read more at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce commentary.



UK Aviation Industry

The UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatic Display Team, known as the Red Arrows, flew through Canada to mark the Royal Canadian Air Force | Aviation royale canadienne's centennial this month, BCCTC and special guests were present… Learn about how the UK is propelling the aviation industry forward ✈ and how to succesfully expand your business and set up in the UK here.



Tiff Macklem: Rewired, recast and redirected - global trade and implications for Canada

Remarks by Mr Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, at the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce, London, United Kingdom, 10 September 2024. Mr. Macklem talks about how trade is changing in response to these forces, both globally and for Canada. "While there are many uncertainties, one thing looks clear: international trade will be different in the years ahead. Canada needs to be ready for the opportunities and the disruptions." Read more.



How Canada fits into the new UK government's plans for economic growth.

By British High Commission, Ottawa 

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt Hon Rachel Reeves met with tech and financial services CEOs in New York and Toronto last month to make the case that Britain is open for business, and vowed to “fix the foundations of the economy, rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.” Read more.



Ongoing Compliance: Maintaining the ISC Register for Ontario Corporations

By Fiona Brown, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP.

Since January 1, 2023, private Ontario corporations are required to create and maintain a register of “individuals with significant control” over the corporation (“ISC Register”). This requirement was introduced by the Ontario government as a measure to increase transparency of corporate ownership to prevent and detect illegal activities and tax evasion. The requirements are similar to those currently found under the Canada Business Corporations Act and several other Canadian provincial corporate statutes. Read more.


🌟🌟🌟 BCCTC Members Success Stories 🌟🌟🌟


Niagara Region Launches Signature Sites Tool to Promote Development Opportunities 🌟


Niagara Region Economic Development is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Niagara Signature Sites’, an innovative and interactive map designed to showcase premier industrial and commercial development opportunities available in the Niagara region. This collaborative effort involves Niagara Region’s Growth Strategy and Economic Development department, local area municipalities, and private sector, aimed at promoting investment and economic growth in the region.


This tool not only highlights Niagara’s economic potential but also fosters collaboration between local entities and investors. For more details, reach out (info@bcctc.ca) and we will connect you with the right person.


Read more about this and more exciting initiatives in Niagara at Niagara Region Economic Development latest newsletter here.



Trajectory Brands: Wander Niagara


Trajectory’s brand development for tourism and economic development bears fruit in the Niagara Region with the launch of the high-impact, integrated marketing campaign, Wander Niagara. 


This savvy joint marketing program – a collaboration of the City of St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands marketing teams – showcases seven curated “wanderings” for exploring the delights of Niagara’s “flip side” – from St. Catharines, the region’s urbane downtown hub, to the all-seasons bounty of the Niagara Benchlands, home to 50+ stellar wineries, a UNESCO biosphere, trails, and more. 



The urban/rural itineraries are the centerpiece of Trajectory’s year-long brand campaign which includes the identity, WanderNiagara.com website, a printed traveler guide, and social media content. The “Wanderers Welcome” has opened doors for a record number of Niagara businesses. 



Diageo

We are glad to hear that BCCTC member Diageo delivers resilient performance with improved market share in the second half of the fiscal year, despite volatile operating environment, but we are ever so proud to hear about Diageo’s inspiring initiatives worldwide. Here's a few of them:

  • From water conservation to more sustainable packaging, Diageo is on a mission to minimize their environmental footprint. 

  • Diageo’s commitment to responsible drinking led them to create DRINKiQ - a dedicated responsible drinking online platform that provides facts and resources about alcohol, the effects of drinking on the body and the mind, and the impact of harmful drinking on individuals and society. DRINKiQ.com

  • Diageo’s Spirit of Success Plan promotes positive drinking, champions inclusion and diversity and pioneer grain-to-glass sustainability. Doing business the right way underpins everything they do.

And, on other fun news: 🤝The Beautiful Beer (Guinness) meets The Beautiful Game (The Premier League) 🤝

To mark its debut as the Official Beer and Official Non-Alcoholic Beer of the Premier League 2024/25 Guinness will be launching new ads, and teamed up with Alan Shearer and a fleet of 20 tankers to bring the beautiful beer to the beautiful game. Keep an eye out for more fantastic films and activations as the season goes on!


Member and Events Updates


International Summer Cocktail


A huge success! the International Summer Cocktail brought together over 210 professionals from various sectors. This exclusive event allowed leaders and entrepreneurs from across the region to connect, collaborate and grow their network in a friendly and dynamic atmosphere. Organized in partnership with 9 international chambers of commerce and the Canadian Club of Toronto, this cocktail offered a rare and valuable opportunity to build strong relationships within Toronto’s Francophone community.

Click here to see photos and videos of the International cocktail.


MOU between the City of Brampton and the UK charity Lord's Taverners.

Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton, UK Consul General Fouzia Younis MBE (centre), and Beckie Howie, Head of Major Donors and Special Events for the Lord's Taverners, announce the signing of a MOU between the City and the UK charity.


The launch of the project will provide 300 kilos of cricket equipment to local communities in need, with more to come over the life of the programme. Mayor Brown has designated Brampton as the Cricket Capital of Canada, and this project is just one of a number of initiatives that will cement Brampton's reputation. This month the City will host professional teams from across Canada as they compete in the GT20, North America's first ever major T20 tournament. Investments in 25 community cricket field enhancements over the last few years mean grass roots cricketers in Brampton are also enjoying this fantastic game. The equipment gifted by the Lord's Taverners this week means that nobody should be left behind as the sport sees astonishing growth in Canada.


Martin Buckle, Director of the BCCTC, and Ranil Mendis, Director of the Ontario Schools Cricket Association, "we're on hand to thank Mayor Brown for his support of youth cricket in Brampton".


Additional info: Lord’s Taverners here, City of Brampton press release.



Member Offers


Tools from BCCTC Member ACCA to accelerate your Career and your Business!


AI brings big opportunities, challenges and risks for accountants.

To support you, ACCA has brought together resources and guidance to demystify AI and help you build the knowledge you need, including over 14 units of free, verifiable CPD.

 

With the increasing availability of broad and deep sources of information (so-called “Big Data") business analytics is becoming an even more critical capability for enterprises of all types and sizes. Applied in a wide range of functions - from operations and marketing to finance and strategic planning - organisations who successfully leverage business analytics use the data available to them to gain strategic insights and make better business decisions.


Attract the best finance and accountancy talent to your business! Our free premium listings provide prominent positioning for your job, ensuring greater exposure across ACCA Careers. Get started here.



EUCCAN - EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada


BCCTC is an Associate Member of EUCCAN - the principal, unifying voice for EU business interests in Canada.


Join us and EUCCAN for an insightful event where experts will discuss trade strategies between the EU and Canada. Learn about the challenges faced and how both regions are working towards a sustainable future. Mark your calendars and come ready to engage in meaningful discussions!.


This conference will welcome Geneviève Tuts, the newly appointed EU Ambassador to Canada, will feature BCCTC's former VP KC Goundiam as a speaker, and coincides with the anniversary of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).


Thu, Sep 19 from 1-5pm. 

Location: 250 Yonge St, Toronto, ON.



British Community in Canada


The St George's Society invites BCCTC members to their upcoming activities in the fall The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov 8, Remembrance Day Ceremony on Nov 11 and thier traditional Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec 7 at St. George's Hall, Arts & Letters Club in Toronto. More info here.



Upcoming Events


Join us! Your BCCTC membership gives you discounts to all! 

You may be interested in viewing the events of the twenty chapters of the British American Business Network. The BCCTC is a member of this network.


The complete event list, which is updated monthly, can be accessed on this link.





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