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5 General Manager's Report General I Manager's t's summer time! Are you worried that you'll be saying "I'm bored" and "There's nothing to do" before the kids? Have you been looking through travel guides dreaming of weekend escapes, of elegant dining, first-rate entertainment and shopping? Guess what? You don't have to travel far because Halton Hills has it all. Contact our summer tourism councillor, Jennifer Stennull, for information on great ideas and destinations right here in your own back yard. Because, really, there's no place like home. Have you seen the 2010 Halton Hills Family Passport? The passport is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore Halton Hills and attend some of our local events and visit our local attractions. Take the passport with you, get it stamped and return it to the Chamber office for a chance to win some great gifts. The Halton Hills Home & Leisure Show is returning April 15-16, 2011. The Home & Leisure Show is a two-day consumer show taking place in the Acton arena. This is your opportunity to meet 2,000+ potential new customers face-to-face. Comments from the 2009 show include: "I got a lot of good leads from this show. Assuming most of them are productive, it will be a major boost to my business." and "The show was bright, clean, JOHN A. GIBSON Chartered Accountant Business Links, Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Financial Statement Preparation Small Business Accounting Personal Tax Returns 49 Commerce Cres., Acton, Ontario L7J 2X2 Desk Sue Walker well run and supported. I hope the community and the Chamber members benefited as much as we did." Book now for discounted rates and special promotional opportunities. The Chamber golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 28 at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Contact our office to register. This is a great opportunity to do some networking and get in a game during the cooler days of fall, surrounded by all the colours the season brings. I encourage you to take some time off this summer and visit our local pick-your-own farms, local festivals or hike some of our great trails. Our summers are too short not to get out and enjoy some of Halton Hills' best kept secrets. Contact the Chamber at 905-877-7119 or through our website at www.haltonhillschamber.on.ca 905-873-0996 10 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. S., SUITE 203 519-853-3540 visit our website: www.galvcast.net (MOUNTAINVIEW & GUELPH) Graeme Goebelle, FCA (retired) A. Brian MacAdam, CA, CFP David Alexander, CA Melanie McCracken, CA Ron Starret, CA Anne Starret, CA Darren Turcotte, CA, CPA Tracey Bastedo, CA James Raptopulos, CA 37 Main Street South, Suite 201 Tel: (905) 877-5155 Georgetown, Ontario Fax: (905) 877-5905 L7G 3G2 Toll Free: (866) 554-2030 www.gmallp.com CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS - MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS Corporate / Personal Tax Returns Financial Statements Bookkeeping / Payroll Services Audits / Reviews Tax Planning Profit Coaching Now Accepting New Clients 905-873-8837 416-360-OTAX www.btpc.ca 202 Mountainview Georgetown, L7G 4B5 4K1 348- 16 Guelph St., Unit Rd., #4,S., Georgetown L7G A Heads up on Bill 168 Written by Wendy Farrow Reed, Synergy Benefits Consulting Inc. 905.703.8857 T he legislation on Bill 168 that makes changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act came into effect June 15, 2010. It's important to understand that all employers are required to meet these legal requirements, no matter how large or small the company is. Employers who neglect these tasks may find themselves in non-compliance with the law. Programs are already in place to audit workplaces in Ontario to determine compliance. To help smaller businesses make the transition, here are five things all businesses need to do. 1. Conduct a risk assessment Employers must ensure that they do a complete evaluation of their operations to ensure that the vulnerabilities to violence are identified and addressed. 2. Make necessary changes to the workplace Using the information gathered during the risk assessment, employers then need to make the necessary changes to reduce the vulnerability to violence in the workplace. For example, in the retail, bar and restaurant industries, an employee may be susceptible to client outbursts. If an employer identifies this as a risk for violence in the workplace, measures should be taken to reduce this risk by installing easily accessible emergency security buttons. 3. Develop and review policies with respect to workplace violence and harassment Employers must ensure that policies are in place with respect to workplace violence and harassment. For employers with five employees or more, the bill says this policy must be in writing and posted in the workplace. Employers must also ensure that a policy is in place to address the procedure for the reporting and investigating of workplace harassment complaints. These policies are critical documents. Employers can face penalties from the Ministry of Labour for not developing policies in accordance with the new act, and/or not complying with the policies when faced with a workplace violence or harassment issue. 4. Develop and maintain programs to implement the policies Employers must include in the programs these specific measures and procedures: · To control the risks identified in the risk assessment. · For summoning immediate assistance when workplace violence occurs or is likely to occur. · For workers to report incidents of workplace violence or harassment. · To state how the employer will investigate and deal with incidents or complaints of workplace violence or harassment. 5. Train employees Employers must provide information and instruction to their employees regarding the contents of the policies and programs. This training is critical, as it implements all of the previously mentioned steps. Employees have the opportunity to learn what they can and what they must do to minimize risks in the workplace, what their obligations are in regards to the policies in place, and what the consequences are for non-compliance with the policies. Business without advertising is like winking in the dark . . . You know what you are doing BUT NOBODY ELSE DOES. This message brought to you by your friendly local newspaper Located in the Georgetown Market Place Mall 280 Guelph St., Georgetown, Ontario 905.873.0301 fax 905.873.0398 Don't miss your chance to Congratulate your Graduate! FULL COLOUR ~ ONLY $68! Call or email Special Features to book your Grad Ad today! 905-873-0301, Ext. 237 or e-mail features@independentfreepress.com (Limited Space Available)