Chambers to unite.

• Author: Wareing, Andrew
• Position: Issue of the Month; chambers of commerce

One voice can have an influence, but many voices together can have a real impact.

That is the reasoning behind an effort to unite northeastern Ontario's chambers of commerce into one association, says Steve Kidd, president of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

Kidd, who recently took office of the Chamber for a constituted one-year term and is heading up the drive, says letters sent out to various chambers of commerce throughout northeastern Ontario have elicited some truly favourable responses to the idea.

"I've got letters from places I didn't even know letters had gone to; places like Gogama and Folyet that seem to be really excited about the idea of a Northeastern Ontario Association of Chambers of Commerce," he says.

A meeting is planned 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 6 at the Quality Inn in Sudbury. The meeting is planned to discuss the feasibility and priorities of an overall association similar to one serving northwestern Ontario chambers of commerce.

Jim Thompson, chair of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, says there was a Northeastern Ontario Association of Chambers of Commerce several years ago but, for one reason or another, it faded into oblivion. This latest effort shows signs of reviving this institution.

"It's something that is going to take a real commitment from everyone," says Thompson. "It's going to take volunteers and members of boards of chambers to come together. There are a lot of northern issues that need to be addressed."

Issues such as out-migration of the North's youth, the need for more physicians and for a concerted effort toward increased economic development in northern communities. These are issues that are going to require a unified approach, says Kidd.

"There was a time when communities were very territorial and very competitive," he says. "The thinking now is that we have to take a more regional approach. If some thing is good for Cochrane, it's...