President's View
RIPUDAMAN SINGH DHILLON
Time to lift pandemic-related restrictions
The time is nigh for the pandemic restrictions to be lifted globally. There are risks involved in the re-emergence of new variants but after two years of living with COVID-19 the world’s population is conversant with the risks and a majority have taken the right approach to dealing with the challenge by getting vaccinated.
More than 80% of Canadians have been vaccinated with two doses and 44% with the booster. It is likely that in 2022, we may need another round of vaccine shot, but that is small price to pay for a swift return to normalcy. While there are many aspects to handling this challenge, the governments both at the federal level and in the provinces and the cities are proactively advocating for full vaccination of the population. This has proven to be a divisive matter, with a miniscule percentage of the population resolutely choosing to remain unvaccinated. In the larger interest of all Canadians, it would be futile to expect this minority to acquiesce to the majority’s demand. But it is time to realize that the pandemic restrictions have affected the vaccinated – who are substantially more in numbers – than the unvaccinated.
The adversities that small business owners have faced during the last two years have only partially been offset by the largess that the federal and provincial governments have given. But this is not a permanent fix. Canada must acknowledge that robust economic activity will get it back on track and fight inflation (which is at a 30 year high). Equally importantly, it will put an end to the sudden rise of unsavoury forces that are threatening to take over the carefully crafted Canadian ethos of accommodation of diverse views.
As a Chamber of Commerce of an ethnic-based, racialized business community that is growing exponentially both in numbers and influence, we support the federal and the provincial and the city governments in their efforts to overcome the manifold challenges posed by the pandemic and the restrictions. We urge them to consider that it is now time to go easy on the restrictions.
Businesses must do business; not survive on dole.
India Fights COVID-19
ICCC Board's Interactive Session with
Ontario Minister Hon. Monte McNaughton
The Board of Directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce had an interactive session with Hon. Monte McNaughton, Ontario's Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and Hon. Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development on Thursday 3 February 2022. Minister McNaughton spoke about the new initiatives launched by his Ministry including the newly launched Skilled Trade Ontario, and expanding health-care benefits to all working Ontarians. Ripudaman S Dhillon, President, ICCC, introduced the session and the board members, and Rakesh Joshi and Arvind Bhardwaj asked questions.
Upcoming Programs
Global Warming & Climate Change
2:00 PM Monday 14 February 2022
Register
The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the International Forum of Meteorological Societies (IFMS) is organizing a virtual session on global warming and climate change.
Dr. Harinder P. S. Ahluwalia, President, IFMS, will make a public presentation on this subject. Jim Abraham, President, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society will speak about the efforts of the Canadian government’s efforts to safeguard Canadians from adverse effects of global warming and climate change.
The session will comprise:
Dr. Ahluwalia’s presentation on Causes of Global Warming & Climate Change its Remedies and How to cope with the effects of GW&CC
Jim Abraham’s presentation on the Measures federal and provincial governments are taking to safeguard Canadians from the potential disastrous effects of GW&CC
Dr. Harinder P. S. Ahluwalia is the President of the International Forum of Meteorological Societies (IFMS) which aims at creating collaboration between the National Meteorological Societies of the world to leverage each other’s strengths. He is also the President and CEO of Info-Electronics Systems Inc. (IES) based in Montreal with an office in New Delhi.
Mr. Jim Abraham, President of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (www.cmos.ca), is a well-known meteorologist. As the Director General of Monitoring Networks at the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC), Jim managed a wide variety of weather, water, and environmental operational and research programs over a 36-year career with the Meteorological Service of Canada.
Are you looking to hire highly skilled, knowledgeable students?
Virtual Information Session
Centennial College Recruitment Services for Employers
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Tuesday 22 February 2022
Register
Many Centennial College students are available year-round for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities, including co-op placements and field placements. Our students can help businesses with short-term staffing needs, small projects, peak period demands and other recruitment needs.
Find out how your business can benefit from Centennial College’s various Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities, learn about available employer funding programs and discover the numerous ways you can work with Centennial College to attract qualified employees.
The session will include information on:
- Hiring Co-op Students
- Recruiting Field Placement Students
- Available Graduate, Summer and Part-Time Recruitment Services
- Applied Research, Capstone Projects and International Partnerships
- Funding and Tax Credits
Co-op Students
Centennial College offers over 50 co-op programs in the fields of Business, Engineering Technology and Applied Sciences, and Transportation.
The co-op program gives our students a chance to gain meaningful work experience while allowing you to fill short-term staffing needs and assess potential full-time employees.
Students are available full-time for 4-month assignments (8- and 12-month work terms may be arranged)
Organizations that offer paid co-op opportunities may be eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit (up to $3000 per student for each co-op work term)
If you are interested in hiring a co-op student, contact our staff by phone: 416-289-5209 or by email: cooped@centennialcollege.ca.
Field Placement Students
A large number of academic programs require students to complete a mandatory field placement. These placements are ideal for short-term recruitment needs. Field placements are unpaid and can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the program. Placementsare offered in a range of programs, such as Community and Health Studies; Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts; Communications, Media, Arts and Design.
If you are interested in hiring a field placement student, please contact SOLV, our single-point of contact for employers seeking to connect with business-enhancing opportunities and services across Centennial College. You can reach SOLV by phone: 416-289-5022 or by email: solv@centennialcollege.ca.
ICCC is Partner Organization at Panorama India's Republic Day Celebrations
Hybrid event:
All performances streaming live from Living Art Centre, Mississauga on social media & 30+ TV channels
Date:
Sunday 27 February 2022
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India's Budget 2022
India’s economic growth in the current year is estimated to be 9.2 per cent, highest among all large economies. The overall, sharp rebound and recovery of the economy from the adverse effects of the pandemic is reflective of India’s country’s strong resilience. This was stated by India’s Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Hon. Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament on 1 February 2022.
The Finance Minister said, India is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and it has entered into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long leadup to India@100, the government aims to attain the vision of Prime Minister outlined in his Independence Day address and they are:
Complementing the macro-economic level growth focus with a micro-economic level all-inclusive welfare focus,
Promoting digital economy and fintech, technology enabled development, energy transition, and climate action, and
Relying on virtuous cycle starting from private investment with public capital investment helping to crowd-in private investment.
Read more: Indian Budget 2022
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