We are the Bridgetown & Area Chamber of Commerce

We are very interested in having you as a member. The following sections outline the features and benefits for business in our area regardless how big or small.

Download a copy of our ByLaws

Download Application / Renewal Form

Directors meetings are the Third Thursday of each month at the Town Hall. Members are welcome to attend, Please RSVP to ensure space requirements are met, or that a change in venue hasn’t occurred.

How does membership with the Chamber of Commerce help members compete?

A membership with the Chamber of Commerce gives:

Credibility

For over 75 years, the Canadian Chamber has served as the largest business association in Canada. Our presence in Bridgetown has existed for over 100 years as the Bridgetown Board of Trade. Through consultation and research, in collaboration with its members, the Canadian Chamber speaks for thousands of Canadian business people. Because of the Canadian Chamber’s longstanding track record and who it represents, it is seen as the authoritative voice on all business matters. It is also important to note that the Bridgetown & Area Chamber of Commence is made up 100% of local volunteers who are representative of our dynamic business environment.

Advocacy

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce interprets federal issues and communicates members’ views to policymakers in Ottawa. Our expert policy staff work directly with our members on issues that matter most to Canadian business; this means that members are steering the debate. The Bridgetown & Area Chamber is represented regionally by the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce, and provincially by the Nova Scotia Chamber of Commerce. Issues involving your business can be escalated to the appropriate Chamber Organization for consideration.

Information For members, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce provides up-to-date information on policy and legislative changes that affect business. Members receive informed analysis by Canadian Chamber economists and policy experts. The Chamber’s "intelligence network" – the best in the business – gives members an early warning system of upcoming federal developments. The Atlantic & Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce also feature in depth websites with insightful information. Our hope is to have information and contact details for Bridgetown & Area on the Web in the very near future.

Influence

Representing 170,000 businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, in all regions, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s membership network forms the basis for its authoritative voice. Given its size, constituencies, history, and track record, becoming a Canadian Chamber member is a sound business investment. Members can count on the Canadian Chamber’s network of qualified staff, corporate volunteers, and Board of Directors to act as credible voices on issues that matter most to Canadian business. The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce deals with top of mind issues for Atlantic Canada. Currently it is very involved in the “Atlantica” Regional trade initiative. The Nova Scotia Chamber obviously deals with issues directly related to Nova Scotia Business. Recently coming to the table with all levels of Provincial and Municipal Government to prioritize the current condition of our highways in the province.

Networking

Our Chamber will do its best to ensure there are monthly information meetings over breakfast or lunch. Also there will be two dinner meetings: Small Business Week – celebrating business successes in Bridgetown & Area. Our Annual General Meeting will recognize and thank Business Leadership in our community. Each meeting will always have time allotted for social and networking activities to allow you to meet other business people both from the area and visiting us from other areas.

Member Benefits

ESSO Business Card Program
Imperial Oil is pleased to offer Canadian Chamber members a discount of 3 cents per litre at any ESSO-branded service station in Canada. For more information regarding this program, please contact Richard Sauvé at richard.k.sauve@esso.ca or at (613) 256-8323.

Preferred VISA and MasterCard Rates
TD Merchant Services is pleased to offer Canadian Chamber members preferred rates on the electronic processing of VISA (1.75%), MasterCard (1.89%) and debit cards ($0.10/transaction). For more information regarding this program, please contact Jennifer Hagen at jhagen@chamber.ca or at (613) 238-4000 ext. 232.

Other Members can offer Chamber Incentives
If you would like to extend a special pricing or promotion offer to our membership, Just let us know and we will add it to the list

Insurance Program

Whether you’re just one person or 35* employees strong, you can apply for Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan coverage. Your company is eligible as long as it has been in active operation for at least six months and operates year round. It doesn't matter what kind of business you run because there are no blanket industry exclusions. You don't even have to be a Chamber member to get a quote, but you must have a membership when you apply for coverage. Membership can be in your company's name or one of its principals'. As long as that membership is maintained, the firm remains eligible. If you have one to four people in your company, everyone must participate in the benefits. If you have five or more people, at least 75% must participate. *up to 50 employees with head office approval

Health Benefits

Our plans provide from 50% to 100% coverage of eligible expenses. There are no overall maximums, but some specific items or services have annual or lifetime maximums. Employees use health benefits most frequently to cover prescription costs. We offer traditional paper claim plans as well as ASSURE drug card plans, which provide benefits instantly at the pharmacy. Our health plans also cover major medical expenses like paramedical services (chiropractors, massage therapist, podiatrists, etc.), semi-private hospital, nursing care, ambulance, and medical appliances. These extended health care expenses can be covered with or without prescription drug benefits. All health options include emergency medical assistance covering either the first 30 or 60 days of an employee's trip. The plan design you choose applies to all employees but individuals may opt out of health insurance if they have a similar plan through another source. If that coverage ends, your employee has 60 days to join this plan.

Dental Benefits

Choose from a wide range of dental options for employees and their families. Basic dental programs are available to firms of all sizes. This coverage can include exams, basic restorative procedures, periodontal and endodontic services (including root canals), and repairing, rebasing and relining dentures. Major dental benefits including crowns, is available to firms of 3 or more employees and children's orthodontics can be covered in firms of 10 or more employees. The plan design you choose applies to all employees but individuals may opt out of dental if they have a similar plan through another source. If that coverage ends, your employee has 60 days to join this plan.

Basic Employee Life /Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

Each Chambers Plan includes employee life insurance plus an additional benefit if an employee dies accidentally. Many firms choose a basic level of coverage of $25,000 per employee, or an amount related to each individual's salary. This insurance also pays employees specific amounts if they suffer a serious injury, like loss of hearing or sight.

Group Critical Illness

This benefit pays a lump sum benefit of $25,000 ($20,000 for insureds 56 years of age and older) on the initial occurrence of one of thirteen covered conditions. These include cancer, heart attack, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, burns, coma, loss of speech, coronary by-pass, stroke, kidney failure, paralysis, deafness and blindness.

Weekly Indemnity (Short Term Disability)

This benefit replaces salary during an employee's brief absence from work due to illness or injury. It pays a weekly income of 66 2/3% of gross earnings for employees under age 65 up to $800. Your company chooses from a range of options, deciding how long employees must be off work before they can collect benefits, and the length of time benefits are payable. Some options are designed specifically for Owners. Your agent can help you design a program that fits your company’s needs and budget.

Long Term Disability (LTD)

This benefit pays an income to employees who face longer term absences from work because of an illness or injury. The LTD option you choose sets out how long employees must be off work before they can collect benefits and the length of time benefits are payable to disabled employees. Depending on your industry, you can opt to have benefits payable for 2 or 5 years, or to age 65. Chambers Plan LTD coverage provides 24 hour protection and owner’s have access to Employee Assistance services that can help your employees get back to work sooner. Your agent can help you design a program that fits your company’s needs and budget.

Best Doctors®

Best Doctors® provides valuable resources to people facing a range of serious medical conditions. Starting with its Interconsultation Service, Best Doctors supports the employee or family member and their attending physician by reviewing the patient's file, confirming the diagnosis, and identifying the most appropriate treatment. Patients can also use FindBestDoc® and FindBestCare® services to help them plan and implement their treatment programs.

Employee Assistance

You can make professional counselling services available to all your employees. It's an effective way to help them deal with serious issues, including relationship problems and dependency issues, before they lead to absences from work or even a disability claim. Coverage provides up to 12 hours of confidential counselling for each employee annually and employees can access the service 24/7.

Business Overhead

Owners who choose a Long Term Disability Benefit with the Chambers Plan can also choose Business Overhead Expense benefits that pay a variety of business expenses including rent, electricity, phone bills, leases, taxes and some salaries. Business Overhead Expense coverage keeps your business going when your disability won’t let you.

Dependents Life Insurance

Three levels of coverage are available covering an employee’s spouse and children. The Plan offers an option with a $5,000 benefit for the spouse combined with $2,500 for each child, a $10,000 / $5,000 benefit and a $15,000 / $7,500 benefit.

Group Optional Life

This benefit lets employees top up their group life insurance with an amount they choose and pay for. Spousal coverage is also available, as are children's benefits if either parent participates in the program.