The first Canadian Chamber of Commerce was formed in the year 1750 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A group of merchants joined together to form the "Association for the Benefit of Trade". For the first time, a business group was organized and conducted their affairs independent of any government affiliation. Soon to follow were similar groups in Saint John, Quebec City and in Montreal, each forming their own Chamber of Commerce [Board of Trade].
The Chamber of Commerce network in Canada is unique. No other business group benefits from a grass roots base of "action cells" in every federal riding (the local chambers), as well as separate provincial structures and a broad national federation which speaks for more than 130,000 business leaders. Although each level of the chamber system is autonomous and financially independent, the joint development of the local, provincial and national Chambers has required the coordination of activities, policies and programs among the three organizations. This cooperative spirit has made the chamber movement the powerful force it is today, ensure a unified effort on behalf of businesses from main street in Pictou County to Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Chamber's unparalleled nation-wide partnership serves your interests...and merits your support. It can be counted on to speak up for business and it counts on your involvement at every level.
Mission/Charter for the PCCC
The Charter and Mission of the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce is to make Pictou County a preferred community in which to live, work and do business by leveraging the collective impact of our membership’s influence and leadership.
Goals
1) Become the leading advocate of business in Pictou County. Our goal is for members to say “I am glad to be a member of PCCC” because they understand and support my business needs.
2) Work to improve the image of Pictou county and PCCC to support our Mission to be known as “ The best place to live , work and do business”
3) PCCC will be fiscally responsible and sustainable
Guiding Principles and Values
In the fulfillment of its strategic charter and in the everyday conduct of its business affairs, the Board of Directors and the Executive Leadership of the Chamber will:
1) Always act ethically, with integrity and courage in a manner consistent with the best interests of its members and key stakeholders aligned with our charter.
2) Develop and take leadership positions on important business, community development and governance issues, the appropriate resolution of which will advance the longer term development of our economy and the quality of life within our community
3) Be available to, and work with, its membership and strategic partners. Development of strategic partnerships will be a priority.
4) Understand and support the needs of our membership. Develop and focus on a pro-active business agenda, based on facts from proper investigation and due diligence, the achievement of which would be to create the optimum and competitive environment for continued growth of existing business and future new business investment in all sectors critical to the long term growth and sustainability of our economy
5) Retain its political independence and never be prevented or encumbered from “doing the right thing” as a result of municipal, provincial or federal influence
Past Presidents
1983 James MacConnell
1983-1986 Lloyd MacKay
1986-1988 Elmer Goodwin
1988-1990 Floyd Cock
1990-1992 Brian White
1992-1993 Jack Langlois
1993-1994 Sean Murray
1994-1995 Neil Bysterveldt
1995-1996 Elizabeth Van den Eynden
1996-1997 William Hamilton
1997-1998 Andrew Robertson
1998-2000 Frank DeMont
2000-2001 Doug Eddy
2001-2002 Lee Langille
2002-2003 Mike Jenkins
2003-2004 Bruce Carpenter
2004-2005 Michael Hill
2005-2006 Luke Young
2006-2007 Bob Hickey
2007-2008 Gerald Green
2008-2009 Shane Sponagle
2009-2011 Dave Freckelton
2011- Bruce Herron