Background on the Caledon Chamber of Commerce

Copy courtesy of CALEDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade are unified in promoting and developing a strong and vital economy throughout Canada. Together these non-profit organizations monitor both federal and provincial issues, solicit views from the business community and convey these opinions to the policymakers while remaining politically non-partisan.

The Caledon Chamber of Commerce maintains an active liaison with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Locally; the organization has a long and proud history of community involvement through interaction with the Town of Caledon to work closely on issues of mutual concern. The Chamber is a major factor in promoting and enhancing the social and economic climate in which we live and work.

Local Members share the common belief that a strong and vibrant business community nurtures all the other benefits we enjoy in the Caledon area. The Chamber acts as a vehicle for business professionals and individuals to work in concert for the common good of business and community. Together, as a unified voice, the Caledon Chamber of Commerce promotes the civic, commercial and industrial progress of Caledon.

History of Chambers of Commerce

The first Canadian Chamber of Commerce was formed in the year 1750 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A group of merchants joined together to form the “Association for the Benefit of Trade”. For the first time, a business group was organized and conducted their affairs independent of any government affiliation. Soon to follow were similar groups in Saint John, Quebec City and in Montreal, each forming their own Chamber of Commerce [Board of Trade].

The Caledon Chamber of Commerce, originally named the Caledon Industrial Commercial Association, was formed in 1979 by a small group of fifteen local business people. These insightful individuals recognized the need to formalize an organization dedicated to the growth of Caledon both commercially and socially. This early association evolved into today's Caledon Chamber of Commerce which organized as a not for profit corporation in 1985.

The first Chair of the Caledon Chamber of Commerce was Ken McCrea in 1982 followed by Jim Violin in 1983, George Ledson in 1984 & 1985, Norm Grey in 1986, Charles Brooksbank in 1987, Ron Legg in 1988, Tom Bulloch in 1989 & 1990, Barb Gough in 1991, Don Smith in 1992 & 1993, Frank Saraka in 1994, Patrick Muise in 1995 & 1996, Tom Bulloch in 1997-2004. Current Chair is Warren Darnley (2015-2017).

It is with the support of dedicated local business people that this Chamber will continue the work started in 1750 and long into the future.

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

Most communities in Canada have a Chamber of Commerce, and those who belong take great pride in their membership. They put stickers on their cars, certificates on their walls and pins on their lapels. They advertise their involvement for all to see. 

But those who do not belong often ask why belong?  The answer is because they are proud of being part of an organization that plays such a key role in the community.

That begs the question: What is that role?

The official description is:

“A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization established to promote civic, commercial, industrial and agricultural progress of the community and district which it serves and to work for sound legislation and efficient administration of the community and all of the government levels”

The simple version says so much more.

The Chamber exists to make any community a better place to live. Period.

A Chamber of Commerce provides an avenue for the business people in a community to create a positive business environment. It also provides the local business community with a vehicle to promote their region to the outside world - either for tourism or business investment. It then serves to help people find their way when they arrive.

The Chamber provides an opportunity for people who create local jobs and drive the local economy to work with government and the public to build a better community.

The Local Community Chamber works closely with the municipal and regional governments.

The Provincial Chamber acts as an umbrella organization to lobby the provincial government on issues of mutual concern to all chambers.

The Canadian Chamber serves a similar role at a national level. The chamber speaks for the business community at public hearings, to the media and behind closed doors.

Combined, the Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade network is the “Voice of Business”.

When a business joins the Chamber, they can learn about current government issues that affect business, and they are encouraged to add their voice to the chamber's efforts to address them. Equally important is that the Chamber can then support them on the issues that concern their business.

When a business joins the Chamber, they help make their community - and their business- healthy and prosperous.