SCCC News (April 2024) -- info suisse article (Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce)

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April 2024

SCCC News (April 2024)

President's Message

Dear members and SCCC friends,

Spring has visited us a few times over the last month, but we still couldn’t shake the winter and our winter coats are still in use here and there. Swiss may claim this is due to the Swiss Böögg that couldn’t be burned as strong winds forced the cancellation of this traditional Swiss event taking place in Zurich each April. The snowman on top of a wooden stack symbolizes the end of winter. The faster it burns and its head explodes, the finer the summer will be. So, let's still hope for a good summer.

Chamber specifically, with the creation of the national membership with our partner Swiss Chambers in Montreal and Vancouver, we are collaborating more. The SCCC Vancouver hosted a sustainability panel, a thought leading networking in partnership with Lufthansa Group, Switzerland Tourism, TransLink, Vancouver (YVR) Airport, and the Consulate General of Switzerland. You can watch the panel discussion here.

The SCCC Ontario hosted a gala dinner for the first time at the newly opened 1 Hotel in Toronto, recognized and certified for its sustainable practices. Close to 100 guests enjoyed a delicious meal with musical entertainment and a grandiose tombola. A big thank you to our sponsors, including SWISS International Airlines. If you didn’t win the SWISS tickets and haven’t booked your Swiss vacation, SWISS is starting to fly directly from Toronto to Zurich as of May. Check out their excellent video. For 2024, the SCCC Year End Gala will be held again at 1 Hotel on Friday November 29, 2024. Mark your calendar!

The Swiss Business Hub, the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion, has completed a comprehensive study on Swiss companies in Canada. It has identified a total of 322 Swiss-based businesses operating in Canada, employing 54’000 people across the country. You will have a chance to meet the Hub’s representatives at a joint event on June 19th.

The newsletter also features Canada Switzerland News including why one of the NHL’s biggest stars, Auston Matthews, started his professional playing career in Switzerland. Or that again Switzerland was crowned the world champion for patents, with a total of 9,410, led by Roche, and more…

Speaking more about sustainability, read about the landmark ruling that could have worldwide repercussions. The European Court of Human Rights has recently decided that Swiss authorities are responsible for not implementing efficient climate change policies and violating the right to life of a group of elderly women in Switzerland.

Last but not least, our Board has reworked the membership benefits, in particular for corporate members with more opportunities to give your firm exposures that matter to you. We are thankful for all our valued members and would like to welcome the new or regained members listed below. Hope you can meet them soon at one of our next events. Please read the new membership profile of the Lakeshore Group, a consulting firm specializing in land development and urban planning matters.

Below are our upcoming events listed. Please make time to join our virtual AGM on May 22, and our next bigger in person event on June 19, 2024.

Happy spring and happy reading.

Sandra Leuba
SCCC President