**TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWS RELEASE**

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce highlighted a year’s worth of successes for the business community at the organization’s 69th Annual General Meeting and President’s Dinner on Sept. 12.

Hosted at the Senator Hotel, the event allowed more than 160 attendees to hear from immediate past president Jamie Clarke, who outlined the many things the Chamber achieved through the 2017-2018 year as a result of the support of its 650 members.

This included many policy and advocacy victories on member-driven issues such as natural resource-related infrastructure and permitting, Indigenous partnerships, maintaining Ontario mining tax rates, workforce shortages, and more. This work has also involved partnerships with the Ontario and Canadian Chambers to tackle broader concerns like interprovincial trade and protecting the tourism industries’ competitiveness in regards to the municipal accommodation tax. To help share information on these and other issues, the Timmins Chamber also hosted nearly 60 informational and networking events, while extending more than 90 member-to-member discounts to help businesses with their bottom line.

The year also saw the election of a strong 2018-2019 Board of Directors, which joined Chamber President Nancy Mageau of RBC in being officially sworn in by Timmins’ Mayor Steve Black as part of the evening’s proceedings.

The evening also served to celebrate certain individuals who have made significant contributions to the Chamber and the business community.

This year’s Service Award was given to Ginette Nakashoji of MNP LLP, in recognition of her six years of dedicated service to the Chamber’s board of directors — the maximum amount of time someone can consecutively serve.

“Over the years, Ginette has committed considerable time and energy to the Chamber, and to the members,” said Clarke. “She has been a valuable Board member, and her contributions have always been greatly appreciated.”

Melanie Verreault of Trimeda Consulting Inc. was the recipient of this year’s Alex Klimack Award, which serves to recognize an outstanding volunteer for their hard work and commitment not only to the Chamber but the community as a whole. Verreault is well known for her dedication to improving the business community and connecting people and organizations, which was certainly on full display throughout 2017-2018, according to Clarke.

“This individual has been a long-time Chamber champion, having served on the board for a few years their dedication does not go unnoticed. The impact of the work that she has invested will be felt by the Chamber, our members, and the business community for years to come.”

Attendees of the Annual General Meeting were also able to hear from the evening’s keynote speaker, Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and Special Advisor to RBC, about the history of residential schools, the significance in working towards reconciliation, and how communities can build respectful business partnerships with Indigenous peoples.