Message from the President
Dear Members,
As we approach the end of another incredible year, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season. May your celebrations be filled with joy, peace, and prosperity as we reflect on the successes of the past year and look forward to the opportunities ahead.
At the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce, 2024 has been a year of growth, collaboration, and innovation. We have seen our community come together to connect, communicate, and collaborate through impactful events, inspiring initiatives, and meaningful partnerships. None of this would have been possible without your continued support and engagement.
We are excited to announce a dynamic lineup of events in the coming year that will offer even more opportunities for networking, learning, and growth. Whether it is through professional development programs, business networking events, or community engagement, CTCC is committed to supporting you on your journey to success.
As we prepare for 2025, I encourage all our members to renew your membership now and continue being part of this vibrant network of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Together, we can achieve greater heights, empower our community, and build a stronger future.
Thank you for being an integral part of the CTCC family. Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Warm regards,
Warm regards,
Ari A. AriaranPresident, CTCC
Community Safety Meeting: A Resounding Success!
The Canadian Tamil Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) successfully hosted a Community Safety Meeting on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the CTCC Business Centre. The event brought together over 80 participants, including provincial and municipal political leaders, police officials, jewelry store owners, and community volunteers.
Key highlights included:
- Bail Reform Discussion: Political leaders emphasized the importance of legislative changes to enhance public safety.
- Safety Tips: Police officials provided valuable advice on personal safety and protecting properties and goods.
The event was well-received by attendees, who appreciated the collaborative efforts to address recent incidents targeting Tamil businesses in Scarborough and Markham.
CTCC thanks all participants for contributing to this important dialogue and remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
CTCC Hosts Successful 3-Day AI Workshop for Members
The Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) successfully hosted a 3-day AI for Business workshop, empowering members with essential skills to integrate Artificial Intelligence into their business practices.
The workshop was well-attended by enthusiastic participants eager to explore how AI tools can streamline operations, enhance customer service, and boost sales. From mastering prompting techniques to hands-on experience with leading AI platforms like ChatGPT, attendees walked away with practical knowledge ready to implement immediately.
A special thank you to Nathan Thiya of Eknite for his expertise and volunteerism in leading the sessions, and to all participants for their active engagement. The CTCC remains committed to providing valuable learning opportunities to its members, ensuring they stay ahead in today’s evolving business landscape.
Stay tuned for more workshops and events coming soon!
Take Advantage of Canada’s HST Holiday to Boost Your Business!
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news for businesses across Canada! The Government of Canada has announced an HST Holiday, creating a fantastic opportunity to attract more customers and drive sales during the busy holiday season.
From December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, the GST/HST on groceries and essential holiday items will be fully relieved. This temporary relief is designed to provide financial assistance to Canadians, especially those grappling with the rising costs of living. Here’s how your business can make the most of this opportunity:
Tips for Leveraging the HST Holiday:
- Businesses must remove the GST/HST on qualifying goods at checkout for the relief period.
- The GST/HST relief applies to qualifying goods delivered to and paid for by the purchaser during the two-month period.
- Goods imported during this timeframe also qualify for the relief.
What You Need to Know About the HST Holiday:
How It Works:
- Businesses must remove the GST/HST on qualifying goods at checkout for the relief period.
- The GST/HST relief applies to qualifying goods delivered to and paid for by the purchaser during the two-month period.
- Goods imported during this timeframe also qualify for the relief.
What Goods Qualify?
Temporary GST/HST relief applies to the following items:
- 1. Children’s Clothing
Garments designed for babies and children, such as baby bibs, bunting blankets, receiving blankets, and clothing up to girls’ size 16 or boys’ size 20.
- 2. Children’s Footwear
Footwear designed for babies or children with an insole length of 24.25 cm or less (excludes footwear for sports or recreational activities).
- 3. Children’s Diapers
Includes diapers, diaper inserts, liners, training pants, and rubber pants.
- 4. Children’s Car Seats
Restraint systems or booster seats conforming to Canadian safety standards.
- 5. Print Newspapers and Printed Books
Newspapers containing news, editorials, and feature stories, as well as printed books or updates to such books.
- 6. Christmas Trees
Both natural and artificial trees.
- 7. Food or Beverages
Items for human consumption, including certain alcoholic beverages, candies, chips, granola products, ice cream, prepared salads, and prepared meals. This includes food and beverages sold at restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops.
Examples:
- Beer and malt beverages (canned or bottled beer, pitchers of beer)
- Wine, cider, and sake (22.9% ABV or less)
- Spirit coolers and premixed alcoholic beverages (7% ABV or less)
- 8. Select Children’s Toys
Products designed for children under 14, including board games, card games, dolls, plush toys, and construction toys.
- 9. Jigsaw Puzzles
- 10. Video-Game Consoles, Controllers, and Physical Game Media
Contributed by:
Ari A. Ariaran, CPA
Thank You for Making the CTCC Christmas Mixer a Success!
The CTCC Christmas Mixer was a resounding success, bringing our community together for an evening filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful connections. The sold-out event was a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with our members, sponsors, and supporters.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors, Mr. Mahen Singarajah of Re/Max Community Realty and Mr. Rahulan Sana of Miniss Canada, whose support helped make this event possible.
A special thank you to everyone who participated in our Sock Drive—your contributions will make a positive impact on those in need this winter.
Take a look at some of the event highlights in the attached photos. For more pictures, visit the following links:
https://iyah4u.smugmug.com/
https://raviatchuthan.smugmug.
Thank you for being part of this memorable celebration. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Available – CTCC Business Centre
Are you looking for a modern meeting or seminar room in Markham for your workshops and networking events? CTCC Business Centre is the right venue for you!
- HOLD YOUR NEXT MEETING AT
OUR BUSINESS CENTRE - EXPERIENCE
THE DIFFERENCE
Our conference room is equipped with:
-
Modern Furniture
-
LED Screen (13′ X 8′)
-
Stage / Podium
-
AV Equipment
-
A Wet Bar
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3 Wash Rooms and you can host up to 100 people in theatre style seating.
Book Our Venue
Book online:
or email us at
Or Call
Santha Panchalingam 416-200-5470
Ken Kirupa 416-830-8191
CTCC Women’s Committee Hosts Successful Rise and Align Yoga Event
We are thrilled to announce that Last Month’s Rise and Align Yoga Event, organized by the CTCC Women’s Committee, was a resounding success!
The event brought together community members for a rejuvenating morning of wellness and mindfulness. The yoga session provided the perfect balance of energy and relaxation, while the post-session networking created opportunities to build meaningful connections.
A heartfelt thank you to the Women’s Committee for their dedication and effort in organizing this impactful event, and to everyone who participated for bringing positive energy and making the day truly special.
Stay tuned for more initiatives that foster personal and professional growth within our community. We welcome your feedback and ideas for future events!
Announcement: CTCC’s First Quarterly Meeting & Thai Pongal Celebration
We are excited to announce our First Quarterly Meeting and Thai Pongal Celebration:
Date: Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: CTCC Business Centre
This important gathering is exclusively for CTCC members only. Members who have not yet renewed their membership for the upcoming year are reminded to do so before January 15th to secure their participation.
Membership Renewal Details
- Regular Members: E-transfer $200.00 to info@ctcc.ca
- Corporate Members: E-transfer $1,000.00 to info@ctcc.ca
This event marks the beginning of another year of growth, solidarity, and prosperity within our chamber. We encourage all members to join us as we come together to celebrate and strategize for the year ahead.
For any questions or assistance, please contact us at 416-335-9791.
Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor for CTCC’s 25th Annual Awards Gala!
The Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce is excited to celebrate our milestone 25th Annual Awards Gala—a night to honor excellence and achievements within our community. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your business to a distinguished audience of entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders. Sponsorship offers extensive benefits, including premium brand exposure, networking opportunities, and alignment with CTCC’s legacy of excellence.
View the sponsorship package to explore the benefits tailored to elevate your brand. For inquiries or to secure your sponsorship, please contact Ari A. Ariaran at 416-293-1616 or Ken Kirupa at 416-830-8191. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic event!
Corporate Members’ Area
We hope you’ve been enjoying our e-newsletter and finding it informative and engaging. We highly value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts on how we can further improve our content and make it even more relevant to your interests.
Whether you have suggestions for new topics, questions, or any other feedback, we encourage you to get in touch with us. Please feel free to send your feedback to info@ctcc.ca. We appreciate the time you take to share your thoughts with us.