MB asked a number of industry leaders and local politicians for their observations of the current business climate and their predictions for the future. Their comments make for some interesting reading. If you would like to be added to our list for editorial contributions, please drop an email to our publisher at don@mbmagazine.ca.
"In 2008 Markham announced that our 2009 budget would hold the line on taxes and I’m pleased that we were able to announce once again that there will be no tax rate increase to Markham residents in 2010. Through our E3 program – Excellence Through Efficiency & Effectiveness we have captured millions in savings to our taxpayers. Our efforts continued throughout 2009 with E3 now an integral part of our business planning process. Through this we have continued to find expenditure reductions and increased revenue opportunities. However, Markham is growing and despite an additional $6.1M in expenditures identified in our 2010 budget to maintain existing municipal service levels, and increased costs of $360,000 due to the anticipated harmonization of provincial and federal sales taxes, we were able to maintain a zero tax rate increase for 2010.
Developing a Creative Community is also a priority to enhance Markham’s live–work character. This means providing a variety of arts, culture, recreation and entertainment choices for our residents. The new Varley Art Gallery and Markham Museum expansions are further evidence of this commitment, as are a new cricket pitch facility and bocce courts, and the new East Markham Community Centre. On the horizon Markham has much more planned. We will also see the development of new sports facilities associated with the PanAm Games, and seven new infrastructure projects through our innovative funding partnership with the governments of Ontario and Canada. These new facilities will increasingly form Markham as a destination – oriented community.
The year 2010 holds great promise for Markham with many of our new and exciting community projects well underway. Markham is a community we can all be proud of and take pleasure in knowing it will continue to enjoy great success in the future."
Frank Scarpitti, Mayor
Town of Markham
"2009 was a great year for Richmond Hill. We recently unveiled our new Strategic Plan, A Plan for People, A Plan for Change. Our vision is a simple one: Richmond Hill, where people come together to build a community. This document sets the stage for Council to work collaboratively with the community because we know that by working together, we can accomplish great things. 2010 will be no less eventful as we officially launch a new Official Plan, Economic Development Strategy and a new brand.
In addition Council continues to demonstrate our leadership through a variety of environmental initiatives, working with our community to achieve a greener tomorrow."
Dave Barrow, Mayor
Town of Richmond Hill
"Looking ahead into next year, I envision it being a year of development. Development in business. Development in global business relationship. Development in new marketing strategies and communication technologies I can already feel businesses growing now. It will be moving in a very fast pace next year. Businesses that keep up with pace and capture the rhythm of the market development will be more successful. Businesses will be required to produce in less time, charging for less but with better efficiency, better service, better quality.
The world is getting smaller. A strong relationship with global business partners will support the growth of local businesses. Strategic marketing is absolutely necessary to generate business growth. The latest technology in communications – social marketing, mobile marketing, internet marketing are all important tools to drive in business."
Daisy Wai
President of Ad2000 And Beyond Advertising Inc.
"As 2009 comes to a close we must take a deep sigh of relief that we have prospered to this point. While it was a difficult year to achieve margins and consistent sales figures it has also been a year of gaining efficiencies in business that are the key to success for the coming 2010. The turnaround in economic times seems to be right around the corner. Confident and aggressive business tactics will continue to encourage consumer spending which will ultimately be the key to overall success for businesses. 2010 is expected to be a year for fast forward thinking and getting aggressive in an effort to be on the lead of industry. I for one will stick to the game plan set which is to be true to our business core values and keeping the consumer first in mind is a must for success."
Vince Tortorici
Manager, Longo’s Box Grove
"The GST-PST harmonization in Ontario – due in July 2010 – will definitely have some effect on the consumer. Long term however, it should be beneficial for most businesses and employment and help in the economical recovery.
With the market downturn last year, the average investor might be tempted to time the market or stick with more conservative portfolio. These approaches will miss real opportunities in the recovery phase. Looking back at the performance of the Canadian market in the previous 30 years, we experienced four declines exceeding 20%, including the most severe bear market of 2000-2002. In each case, the market eventually recovered and posted even greater gains.
For the year ahead, we should expect the recovery in the financial markets to continue with lagging employment figures. Professional advice will be valuable so that you are positioned to benefit from the inevitable recovery."
Joe A Salib, CFP
Sun Life Financial Investments and Insurance
"This past year many have lived in fear of the effects of the recession, and fear of ill health with the H1N1 flu virus. I think to be successful, we need to concentrate on three things. We need to have an attitude of being thankful for our blessings, not worrying about what we don’t have. Second, we need to be people and businesses of honesty, integrity and character. I think we’re learning that these things will help us, not put us at a disadvantage in the marketplace. And third, we need to be deliberately relational – always looking for ways to help each other. The concept of “community” in business is something we need to live out."
Eric C. Tappenden
Owner, Chapel Ridge Funeral Home
& Former Chair, Markham Board of Trade
"Tax harmonization is, quite simply, the single most important thing we can do to create jobs and grow our economy – which in turn will help protect the high-quality public services we all enjoy.Currently, PST is added at every step in the production chain, creating a hidden, cascading, tax-on-tax effect. This is inefficient – and expensive.Under HST, businesses receive credits for sales tax they pay on most business inputs and capital investments, allowing savings to be invested in new jobs, and passed on to consumers. There is a transition period, and that’s why individuals and families would receive transition payments.But there’s more to our plan than tax harmonization.93% of Ontario taxpayers would get a personal income tax cut. All Ontario taxpayers would see a 16.5% cut in the tax rate on their first $36,848 of taxable income – the lowest rate of any province in Canada. And Ontario families and individuals with up to $80,000 of income would get an average personal income tax cut of 10%. This is good news for our families, and for our economy."
For more information, please visit www.ontario.ca/taxchange.
Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP
Oak Ridges-Markham
"Over the past few months, many have been eager to claim that the Economic Recession has come to an end and that the economy is now in recovery mode. Whether or not this statement is true will not impact on the Employment Law decisions that will be rendered in the year ahead. Though the recession may arguably be over, many Court decisions made in 2009 that refer to the economic downturn were not based on facts that occurred during the recession. Rather, they were merely decided during these tough economic times. Those employers and employees in Markham who felt the impact of the economic downturn directly will not have their “day in court” until 2010 or later due to the trickle effect that exists in our Court system. With 2010 being just around the corner, we are on the cusp of these decisions being heard and ruled upon. We may very well experience a change in the legal precedent of how our Courts treat employer/employee relationships during tough economic times and where their sympathies will be, if any. Such possibilities make for an exciting and intriguing year for the business community of Markham in 2010."
Ronald S. Minken, B.A.(Hon.), LL.B.
Employment Lawyers, Minken & Associates Professional Corp.
"Our Markham Museum – I am proud as Ward 4 Councillor and Member of the Markham Museum Board to announce that a new management team at Markham Museum is developing innovative programs and exhibits to better reflect our growing and increasingly diverse community. To add to the excitement, construction on a new collection and exhibit building began early this summer. The new building will hold the museum archival, textile and small object collection. The building will also have an exhibit gallery to introduce the Museums’ interpretive plan of examining the settlement of Markham to the present day and relating settlement to industry and the environment.
The new management team at the Museum includes Cathy Molloy who joined as Manager in August 2008, Andrea Carpenter our Program Coordinator and, Janet Reid, our Museum Curator. All three are excited about the new building and the future plans for the Museum. For more information, please call the Museum at 905-294-4576.
Carolina Moretti
Ward 4 Councillor and Member of the Markham Museum Board
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
