Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce

08/25/2026

Today, Daniel Tisch, ICD.D, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement on the federal government’s new measures to support businesses and workers affected by U.S. trade actions:

“Ontario businesses are under extraordinary pressure, and today’s federal relief announcement recognizes the real impacts that illegal U.S. tariffs are having on businesses, workers, and communities across Canada.

“Expanded support through regional development agencies, new BDC financing, enhanced workforce retention measures, and additional assistance for both large employers and SMEs will provide welcome relief during a period of continued disruption.

“What matters now is ex*****on. These programs need to be accessible, responsive, and delivered quickly so businesses can focus on protecting jobs, serving customers, and planning for the future.

“Businesses recognize the need for a strategic response to U.S. trade actions, but any countermeasures must be carefully calibrated and developed in consultation with industry. Canada cannot afford measures that do long-term harm to our own companies, workers, or supply chains.

“Beyond immediate measures, Canada must use this moment to fix the fundamentals: pursue pro-growth tax reform, reduce red tape, continue modernizing Employment Insurance, remove internal trade barriers, and strengthen the conditions for investment, productivity, and growth.

“That is how we build long-term prosperity: by creating an economy where businesses can invest, innovate, and compete with confidence.”

Read here: https://occ.ca/mediareleases/ontario-chamber-welcomes-tariff-support-calls-for-a-competitive-canada-and-targeted-countermeasures/

08/25/2026

💰 Hired a post-secondary student this summer? You may still be eligible for up to $5,000 in wage subsidy support!

Through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), employers who had an eligible post-secondary student on payroll between May 1 and August 31, 2026 may be able to access funding — but Summer applications are closing soon.

Planning to hire this fall? Applications are also open for the Fall 2026 term (September 1–December 31), and employers can apply early — even if they haven’t hired their student yet.

Funding is reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so this is one opportunity you don’t want sitting on the to-do list.

👉 Learn more and apply through Magnet.

Summer session applications are still open! If you hired an eligible post-secondary student between May 1 and August 31, 2026 you could receive up to $5000.00 in funding! See the SWPP website (swpprogram.ca) and attend the webinar tomorrow, 1:00 PM ET for details: https://lnkd.in/gg6Qecyi

08/21/2026

📸 Want better photos and videos for your business? Your smartphone can do more than you think.

Join us for our August Business at Breakfast with photographer and videographer Ben Hemmings of Mainspring Agency and learn practical ways to create stronger visual content — without investing in expensive equipment.

Ben will share tips for better composition, lighting, smartphone camera settings and telling your business's story through photos and video.

📅 Wednesday, August 26
🕗 8:00–9:30 a.m.
📍 Freska Café & Eatery

Come for breakfast and networking, and leave with skills you can start using for your business right away.

⏰ Registration closes Monday, August 24 at 4:30 p.m.

Don't leave this one until the last minute!

🎟️ Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/august-business-at-breakfast-registration-1994948478602

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08/20/2026

🏆 Business Awards tickets are NOW ON SALE!

Join us on Thursday, October 15 at Stonefields Estate for the 2026 Business Awards of Excellence — an evening dedicated to celebrating the businesses, entrepreneurs, teams and people making an impact across our local business community.

✨ Celebrate this year's nominees
🥂 Connect with fellow business and community leaders
🍽️ Enjoy an incredible evening at Stonefields Estate
🏆 And help us recognize some very deserving local businesses and individuals!

Tickets are now available, so start gathering your team and make plans to join us!

👉 Get your tickets: https://forms.gle/nWw8wq8sbc41SFm37

And before we get to the celebration... we still need your nominations!

⏰ Nominations close THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 22.

If there's a business, entrepreneur, solopreneur, team or employee you think deserves recognition, don't assume someone else has nominated them. Tell us who deserves to be celebrated.

👉 Nominate: cpcc.awardify.io

Interested in showcasing your business as an Awards sponsor? We still have sponsorship opportunities available. Contact us at [email protected] for details.

08/19/2026

🌟 Member Spotlight: Guac Mexi Grill

Celebrating five years in business, Guac Mexi Grill Carleton Place serves fresh, Mexican-inspired food made to order. Owner Sonal Bhargav Patel combines her passion for food and entrepreneurship with a commitment to quality, customer service, and community.

👉 Read the full Member Spotlight: https://cpchamber.com/%f0%9f%8c%9f-member-spotlight-guac-mexi-grill/

08/19/2026

✨ New Member Spotlight! ✨

We’re pleased to welcome lastslice studio to the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce! 🎉

Every business has a way of getting things done—but that way isn’t always clearly defined.

lastslice studio helps businesses uncover and document the processes that keep them running, then builds the right technology and team structure around them. By taking a process-first approach, they help business owners tackle persistent operational challenges, improve efficiency, and create a stronger foundation for growth.

Whether a business is ready to take its next big step or simply needs to fix what isn’t working, lastslice helps turn instinct and institutional knowledge into clear, repeatable systems.

We’re pleased to welcome lastslice studio to our Chamber community. 💙💚

08/19/2026

Financial clarity truly is the ultimate leverage for women in business. We're here to support women entrepreneurs in turning their bookkeeping from a stressful chore into one of their greatest business strengths. Join us—we're just beginning this exciting journey! ✌🚗💲

08/18/2026

⛳ Want to be part of this year's Chamber Golf Classic?

We're just over a month away from the 19th Annual Chamber Golf Classic on September 18 at Mississippi Golf Club, and there are still a few great ways for local businesses to get involved!

🏌️ PLAY
Gather your foursome and join us for a great day of golf, food, prizes, networking and plenty of fun with the local business community.

⭐ SPONSOR
Most of our sponsorships have been spoken for, but we still have three fantastic opportunities available:

• Putting Green Sponsor – $1,250
• Parking Sponsor – $1,250
• Goody Bag Sponsor – $1,250

Each includes a complimentary foursome, along with significant event and promotional visibility for your business.

🎁 DONATE
We're also wrapping up donations for our Golf Classic Silent Auction and prize table!

Gift certificates, experiences, products, services, packages and other creative contributions are all welcome. Donating is a great way to showcase your business while helping us build an incredible prize and auction lineup for this year's golfers.

Ready to play, sponsor or donate? We'd love to hear from you!

👉 Learn more and register: https://cpchamber.com/2026-golf-classic-registration/
📩 Contact us at [email protected] with sponsorship or prize donations.

September 18, 2026 | Mississippi Golf Club

08/17/2026

🏆 FINAL WEEK TO NOMINATE!

Business Awards nominations close this Saturday, August 22 — and there’s still time to recognize someone doing incredible work in our local business community.

We’d especially love to see more nominations for Team/Employee of the Year! 👏

Think about the people behind the businesses you know and love. Who consistently goes above and beyond? Who makes customers feel welcome? Who keeps the team running, solves the problems, steps up when needed, or simply makes their workplace better?

This is your chance to make sure their hard work gets noticed.

Nominations are also still open for:
⭐ Business of the Year
⭐ Entrepreneur of the Year
⭐ Community Impact Award
⭐ Solopreneur of the Year
⭐ Team/Employee of the Year

Nominating is quick — and it could mean a whole lot to the person or business you recognize.

Deadline: Saturday, August 22

👉 Nominate today: cpcc.awardify.io

08/14/2026

🚀 Free Professional Development for Your Team – Available Until August 31!

Looking to sharpen your skills or invest in your team's professional development? Now's the perfect time.

Through Skills Bridge, an initiative managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Chamber members have access to free online training until August 31, 2026.

Whether you're a business owner, manager, or employee, you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, with courses including:

✅ Artificial Intelligence for All
✅ Cyber Security
✅ Digital Skills Basics
✅ Business Essentials
✅ Human Resources
✅ Management & Supervisory Skills
✅ Sales Fundamentals
✅ Collaboration
✅ Growing Your Business Internationally
…and many more.

There are no classrooms, no travel, and no set class times—just practical, self-paced learning designed to help you build new skills and strengthen your business.

⏳ Don't miss out! All training must be completed by August 31, 2026.

Visit Skills Bridge to explore the full course catalogue and start learning today. https://skillsbridge.poweredbymagnet.ca/