Timmins Chamber of Commerce, originally named the Porcupine Chamber of Commerce, is a non-profit, non-governmental, member-driven business advocacy organization that has been serving the interests of the Timmins and area business community since 1949. The mission statement of the Chamber is “to act as a catalyst for a positive business climate and provide business advocacy, networking, information sharing, and member programs.” With over 760 business members, the Timmins Chamber of Commerce is the largest accredited chamber of commerce with distinction in northeastern Ontario. It is led by a 21-member board of directors

Board of directors

A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...

, which consists of nine executive members and twelve members-at-large. The Chamber Manager is responsible for directing the daily operations of the Chamber and overseeing the Licence Bureau, Tourism Information Centre and gift shop.

Policy Development

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce currently has seven standing committees composed of volunteer business members who meet on a monthly basis to discuss a wide range of topics and to identify and address issues that affect local area businesses. Information from many sources is synthesized to draft policy positions that inform members and which provide the basis for recommendations to the municipal, provincial and federal governments to bring about positive change. Many of these policies have been adopted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, who in turn lobby on our behalf for change in provincial and federal government standards. Most recently, the policy entitled “Creating a Fair Paper Procurement Policy in Ontario" has been successful in amending the provincial government’s paper procurement guidelines, thereby providing a fairer policy for forestry companies. Other recent policy efforts include “Federal Alignment of Liens Policies with Provincial Counterparts”; “Federal Environmental Assessment Policy”; and “Mining Tax Policy”.

Advocacy

Advocacy is the process of providing active verbal and written support for a given position. The Timmins Chamber of Commerce strives to determine the most common issues of concern to its members by seeking their feedback at the beginning of each term. This input guides policy development for the fiscal year. The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has been recognized on provincial and national levels for its advocacy efforts; the Ontario Chamber of Commerce recognized the Timmins Chamber in 2005 for its outstanding membership development efforts, in 2007 for its outstanding policy initiatives, and in 2009 for its work in obtaining clarification for retailers on the handling of Retail Sales Tax exemptions.

Membership Information Services

Members of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce (from various business sectors including mining, forestry, automotive, retail, professional services, recreation and agriculture), pay an annual membership fee prorated to the number of employees. The Timmins Chamber of Commerce strives to keep its members informed with the latest business news via a weekly e-newsletter (The Chamber Inside); a bi-monthly newspaper (Inside Business); and a frequently-updated website (www.timminschamber.on.ca). The website contains an electronic member database, a community events calendar, news, Chamber press releases, business resources, member benefits information and a members-only section. The website also features a topical poll question about issues that affect the local business community. The Timmins Chamber of Commerce works diligently to encourage business growth and development, by hosting many informative events, and by offering a popular member-to-member discount program and exclusive member benefits.

Brief History and Highlights

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1949 when a group of local businessmen, led by Dr. J.B. McClinton, undertook the initiative to form the Porcupine Chamber of Commerce. It began with an overall goal of securing the future of northern Ontario and pushing the area in terms of growth and prosperity. The original mandate of the Chamber stated: “We are a non-profit volunteer organization which represents a wide range of business and community interests. We are committed to our community and encourage its growth by promoting business opportunities.”

The Chamber has since expanded its mandate to include advocating for business interests, lobbying for the growth and economic stability of the region and hosting various networking events. Chamber highlights over the years include:
[date -] organized the first annual City of Timmins Santa Claus Parade,
1955 - Timmins’ first airport opened thanks to the hard work of the 1950 Chamber Board
1956 - the Chamber expanded its services to include a local Licence Bureau;
1958 – the Chamber established the ever popular Tourist Information Centre
1969 - the Chamber actively participated in the establishment of a district area hospital;
1973 - Chamber Historical Committee successfully bid to erect the Timmins Museum,
1982 - a joint venture between the Chamber, the City and the Downtown Timmins Business Improvement Association (BIA), leads to the establishment of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation;
1999 - the Chamber instigated the MTO and Timmins Snowmobile Club’s negotiation of a snowmobile lane on the new bridge at the Porcupine River;