Turn of Power for Just One Hour – Earth Day is tomorrow

On March 31, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm EDT, show your support for a healthy planet by turning off all your electrical devices. From lights, to TV’s to your cell phone, spend one hour without power and think about the choices we all make that affect the Earth we all share.

History – In 2007, WWF-Australia inspired Sydney-siders to show their support for climate change action in the first ever Earth Hour event. It showed that everyone, from children to CEOs and politicians, has the power to change the world they live in. In Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

For more about Earth Day just follow the link http://www.earthhour.org/

Public Input Wanted for Town Waterfront Survey

Saugeen Shores Council appointed a Waterfront Ad hoc Committee to develop a Waterfront Master Plan for Council by early 2013. The Plan will contain information about the current status (use, limitations and successes) and the potential for the future of our community’s most significant natural asset, the Lake Huron waterfront.

The Committee is asking the general public to take a few minutes of their time to complete our survey. This is the Committee’s first step of public input. The information gathered from this survey will be used to structure future open public meetings, focussed interviews with community stakeholders and partners.

They hope you will complete the survey and then attend the public meetings to be scheduled later this summer. Your opinion matters as they continue to discuss the waterfront improvements.

Please click on this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/236JCLV to begin the survey or visit the Towns website at www.saugeenshores.ca
Please share this link with others that you know care about the future of our waterfront.

Deadline to complete this survey is April 30, 2012.

Aboriginal community profits from diversity, business success

Entrepreneurial spirit thrives in proper medium

Aboriginal business is a fast-growing sector of the Canadian economy. According to recent TD Economics estimates, aboriginal development corporations generated $8-billion in revenue in 2011, operating in sectors including airlines, mining, tourism, energy, manufacturing, environmental services and more. Small, independently owned businesses fared equally well, recording revenue of almost $1-billion, more than doubling their income over the past decade.

Statistics indicate that, despite ongoing social issues, there is growing business capacity in aboriginal communities and good reason to be hopeful about the future. According to a 2011 Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business survey, more than 250 economic development corporations are active in Canada today, with approximately 75% having been in business for 10 years or more. TD Economics’ forecast says combined revenue for development corporations and small business will reach $13-billion over the next five years.

Training and education remain high priorities, with several development corporations identifying employee training, recruiting and retention as important issues. Larger still were issues surrounding access to capital, with 60% noting concerns about access to credit.

Source: National Post, February 2, 2012