YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka is bringing businesses together to find solutions to what it calls ‘shifting economic’ times.
A Business Development meeting was held today (March 20), which featured district, town and government representatives, as well as businesses and community leaders.
Saleem Hall, employment specialist and community liaison at the YMCA Huntsville says the event empowers and networks businesses to discuss best practices in the community that can help them succeed.
“We partnered with the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development from the Township of Lake and Bay to put on this event, and it’s been wonderful. Over 50 employers, 13 different sectors,” says Hall.
During the meeting, some of the main topics discussed were employment and housing.
Fabiola Stevens, an outreach officer with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, explained the system and pathways for businesses seeking to attract and retain international talent.
“What we’re focused on today is economic immigration. Getting the right people to work so you guys can make more money,” says Stevens. “We want you guys to scale and grow.”
Jeff Lehman, District Chair with the District of Muskoka, says housing is at or near the top of all four levels of government’s agendas.
“What we need to do is get the private market supported, reduce [employment] barriers, help them find labour, help them find projects, cut costs, and do whatever we can to partner to get more particularly affordable rental housing built here in Muskoka,” says Lehman.
According to Hall, the organization aims to bring in more experts to empower businesses to ‘grow and flourish’ by providing them with necessary information through these events.
