Chambers of Commerce and
Boards of Trade are unified in promoting and developing
a strong and vital economy throughout Canada.
Together these non-profit organizations monitor
both federal and provincial issues, solicit views
from the business community and convey these opinions
to the policymakers while remaining politically
non-partisan.
The Caledon Chamber of
Commerce maintains an active liaison with the
Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber
of Commerce. Locally; we have a long and proud
history of community involvement through interaction
with the Town of Caledon to work closely on issues
of mutual concern. Our Chamber is a major factor
in promoting and enhancing the social and economic
climate in which we live and work. The Chamber
is proud to award two scholarships annually to
our local high schools and participate in the
selection of property incentive awards with the
Town of Caledon.
Our members share the common
belief that a strong and vibrant business community
nurtures all the other benefits we enjoy in the
Caledon area. The Chamber acts as a vehicle for
business professionals and individuals to work
in concert for the common good of business and
community. Together, as a unified voice, we promote
the civic, commercial and industrial progress
of Caledon.
History of Chambers
of Commerce
The first Canadian Chamber
of Commerce was formed in the year 1750 in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. A group of merchants joined together
to form the "Association for the Benefit
of Trade". For the first time, a business
group was organized and conducted their affairs
independent of any government affiliation. Soon
to follow were similar groups in Saint John, Quebec
City and in Montreal, each forming their own Chamber
of Commerce [Board of Trade].
The Caledon Chamber of
Commerce, originally name the Caledon Industrial
Commercial Association, was formed in 1979 by
a small group of fifteen local business people.
These insightful individuals recognized the need
to formalize an organization dedicated to the
growth of Caledon both commercially and socially.
This early association evolved into today's Caledon
Chamber of Commerce which organized as a not for
profit corporation in 1985.
The first Chair of the
Caledon Chamber of Commerce was Ken McCrea in
1982 followed by Jim Violin in 1983, George Ledson
in 1984 & 1985, Norm Grey in 1986, Charles
Brooksbank in 1987, Ron Legg in 1988, Tom Bulloch
in 1989 & 1990, Barb Gough in 1991, Don Smith
in 1992 &1993, Frank Saraka in 1994, Patrick
Muise in 1995 & 1996, Tom Bulloch in 1997,
1998 & 1999, 2000, 2001,2002,2003,2004.
Today the Chair of the
Caledon Chamber of Commerce is Charles Bristoll.
It is with the support
of dedicated local business people that this Chamber
will continue the work started in 1750 and long
into the future.
What is a Chamber
of Commerce?
Most communities in Canada
have a Chamber of Commerce, and those who belong
take great pride in their membership. They put
stickers on their cars, certificates on their
walls and pins on their lapels. They advertise
their involvement for all to see.
But those who do not belong
often ask why belong?
The answer is because they
are proud of being part of an organization that
plays such a key role in the community.
That begs the question:
what is that role?
The official description
is: "A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary
organization established to promote civic, commercial,
industrial and agricultural progress of the community
and district which it serves and to work for sound
legislation and efficient administration of the
community and all of the government levels: (whew!)
The simple version says
so much more. The Chamber exists to make any community
a better place to live. Period. A Chamber of Commerce
provides an avenue for the business people in
a community to create a positive business environment.
It also provides the local business community
with a vehicle to promote their region to the
outside world - either for tourism or business
investment. It then serves to help people find
their way when they arrive.
The Chamber provides an
opportunity for those people who create local
jobs and drive the local economy to work with
government and the public to build a better community.
The community Chamber works closely with the municipal
and regional governments. The provincial Chamber
acts as an umbrella organization to lobby the
provincial government on issues of mutual concern
to all chambers, and the Canadian Chamber serves
a similar role at a national level. The chamber
speaks for the business community at public hearings,
to the media and behind closed doors.
They are the voice of business.
When a business joins the
Chamber, they can learn about rising government
issues that affect business, and add their voice
to the chamber's efforts to address them. Equally
important is that the Chamber can then support
them on the issues that concern their business.
When a business joins the Chamber, they help make
their community - and their business- healthy
and prosperous.
