I typically review my most recent President messages just before I sit down to draft up a new one and, for this month, I decided to go back to the beginning.   It floored me how much progress we have made in the past year and, what stood out for me most, was the amount of membership participation and input we have sought in this time.

This outreach was exemplified by the huge return we received to our inaugural stakeholder survey which helped greatly in shaping the Chamber’s 2012 program that we are delighted to launch with this newsletter.

There are several changes in store for our members and supporters over the next 12 months, including a revamp of our entire membership model and some key changes to our events’ calendar. Full details on the membership changes will be mailed to all members in our database at the end of February but the biggest change is the introduction of organizational memberships which permit all employees of a member company to participate in OGLCC programming.  

We are planning several special events in the National Capital Region and will be launching a new speaker’s series in Toronto during the second week of March to enhance our professional development offerings. I am also pleased to announce that our signature Open Minds Open Doors monthly networking events are now free of charge for all current members, and will boast several venues outside of the Church & Wellesley Village through 2012.

Finally, our website and social media assets will be undergoing an update over the next several weeks to support this launch. I would ask for your continued patience as we work through the necessary changes.

Yours Truly,

Ryan Tollofson
President, OGLCC

What is your primary service or product?

At BrokerLink, we find you the most appropriate coverage possible from quality insurance providers. Whether it’s for your home, auto or business, we make sure everything that's important to you is protected.

As a member of the OGLCC, you can get preferred rates on both home and auto insurance and save up to 10%. You can also receive extended benefits such as a Claims Service Guarantee, Novex Assistance Program and Identity Theft Assistance.

When was your organization founded and what is its history?

BrokerLink was established in 1991. The BrokerLink companies, which include Canada BrokerLink Inc., Canada BrokerLink (Ontario) Inc. and Canada BrokerLink Financial Inc., constitute one of the largest Canadian property and casualty insurance brokerage operations with over 50 offices supported by more than 700 employees across Ontario and Alberta. The BrokerLink companies are subsidiaries of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC).

What makes your organization unique?

At BrokerLink, we’re committed to providing expert advice and personalized service. We also make it a priority to stay in regular contact with our customers to make sure they always have the most appropriate coverage possible. Best of all, we have 35 local offices across Ontario, including one in downtown Toronto so we can meet you in person to discuss your insurance needs. Or, you can call us after hours (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm Saturday) or visit us online.

Who would be a good client for you?

A good client for BrokerLink would be someone looking for tailored insurance solutions and great customer service.

What does being a member of the OGLCC mean to you and your organization?

Being a member of the OGLCC means we can work together to support a variety of local activities to build safe and healthy communities. In addition to helping the community, which is a core part of the BrokerLink culture, we can offer professional, personalized insurance advice that OGLCC members and employees are looking for.

Visit BrokerLink online.

OGLCC New 2012 Speaker Series - Build Your Brand & Expand Your Network!

The OGLCC will be launching an exciting new speaker series in 2012 and wants to hear from those members who wish to join the roster. This new series will be held over breakfast or lunch and represents a great opportunity to build your brand and network. A brief speaking proposal will be required. For more information please contact our Programs and Events Chair, Caroline O’Toole at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 416-646-1600.

What is your primary service or product?

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets above $567 billion (as at July 31, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS).

When was your organization founded and what is its history?

Since welcoming our first customers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1832, Scotiabank has continued to expand its global reach. Today, through our team of more than 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates offer a diverse range of products and services, including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking, to some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world.

What makes your organization unique?

Scotiabank is Canada's most international bank and one of North America’s premier financial services organizations.

What is your field of expertise and role at Scotia Asset Management LP? 

The Scotiabank Group Compliance mandate is, on an enterprise-wide basis, to:

• promote ethical conduct and compliance generally throughout the Scotiabank Group; and

• support directors, officers and employees of the Bank and its subsidiaries in managing compliance risk.

Presently I am a senior compliance officer with Scotia Asset Management LP. I conduct head office compliance oversight (surveillance duties) in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and internal policies and procedures to detect violations and potential violations warranting further investigation.  

What does being a member of the OGLCC mean to you and your organization?

The OGLCC’s goal is to create an environment in which LGBTQ businesses and professionals can thrive through the sharing of knowledge and success.  This compliments the mission statement of Scotia Pride, Scotiabank’s employee resource group, who’s mission is to help foster an inclusive environment, where employees and customers of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community and their allies feel safe, valued, and respected. It also supports Scotiabank's reputation as an employer and bank of choice, where we practice and celebrate diversity and inclusion.  I am proud to be an active board member on both committees.

Visit Scotia Asset Management LP online.

Travel Gay Canada Annual Conference

Create. Imagine. Innovate.

TGC is proud to present its 2^nd Annual Conference on November 17^th & 18^th, 2011 at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. 

The conference program this year challenges delegates to step outside of their usual way of thinking and open their minds to welcome a series of creative and innovative methods of attracting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community to their destination.

Please visit www.tgcconference.com for more information.

OGLCC an Official Partner of the Inspire Awards

OGLCC is once again proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the Inspire Awards, specifically of the award honouring the LGBTQ Positive Business of the Year.

Following a hugely successful launch in the first half of 2011 of the INSPIRE AWARDS, an initiative designed to celebrate and honour the LGBTQ community’s unsung heroes and those who make a difference, decisions were made to continue with the awards into the future and to form a not-for-profit organization with the mission of facilitating the annual awards and inspiring the community.

The founders of the awards Pink Play Mags & The Pink Pages Directory, PFLAG Canada (with PFLAG York Region and PFLAG Durham Region), Rainbow High Vacations, Deb Pearce from Rogers TV foQus with Deb Pearce, Positive Lite, Pride Durham, and Club 717, will be joined by the Church Wellesley Village BIA and Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber to form the INSPIRE AWARDS Corporation and together they vow to “inspire the community and bring it together; we will celebrate our past and present heroes so we never forget the work it took and still takes to build a community, and the contributions many make for the betterment of our own community and the world around us at large, and we will encourage living an inspiring life by creating future programs to that effect”.

Each year will see the INSPIRE AWARDS with the help of the LGBTQ community choose the following categories to honour:

A lifetime achievement award, presented at a pre Holidays Season cocktail reception “INSPIRE AWARDS presents A Lifetime of Achievement”. Every year the honoree will be chosen through open community suggestions and decided on by the INSPIRE AWARDS Corporation Board of Directors. Plans for the first annual cocktail reception in 2011 are under way.

Inspiring Community Organization of the Year, chosen at the start of each year and featured on the awards website for the duration of the year to encourage fundraising and donations to said organization. Every year the honoree will be chosen through open community suggestions and decided on by the INSPIRE AWARDS Corporation Board of Directors. The honoured organization will also be celebrated at the annual summer gala.

LGBTQ Person of the Year, LGBTQ Youth of the Year, LGBTQ Positive Business of the Year, the honorees of each year will be chosen through community nominations and decided on by a judging panel of leaders in the LGBTQ community. Celebrations will take place at an annual summer gala and the title holders of each year’s titles will go on to march in the annual Toronto Pride Parade.

The magical and historical Casa Loma is being considered for the second consecutive year as the location of the summer gala, where the winners, the nominees, and the LGBTQ community and their allies will be celebrated in style.

Media requests for information and interview opportunities with the partners please contact 416-926-9588.

To find out more about the Inspire Awards please go to www.inspireawards.ca.

OutSport Toronto - Seminar Presentations

OutSport Toronto, which serves and supports LGBT amateur sport and recreation organisations and athletes in the GTA, is interested in presenting two seminars relating to accounting, legal, insurance, and other administrative matters for Non-Profit Organizations, as part of their Fall Scrum on Saturday, November 5.

Outsport has asked the OGLCC if any of our members have expertise in this area and would like to speak about either Accounting 101 for NFPOs or Budgeting and Financial Management.

It's a good opportunity to showcase your skills and highlight the type of members at the OGLCC!

If you're interested, please contact Deryck Mollenthiel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Out on Bay Street and Deloitte: The Leaders to be Proud of Awards

On Thursday, September 29th, Out on Bay Street and Deloitte present The Leaders to be Proud of Awards, an annual series to recognize excellence by senior executives of the Canadian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer and ally (LGBTQA) business community. Click below to buy a ticket and read about the nominees!

Register here.

New Pink Pages Directory Released

 The new Pink Pages is now available. They are the official Media Sponsor of the OGLCC. Please pick one up the next time you see it! For the past 22 years The Pink Pages Directory has been the favourite source of information for the gay, lesbian, trans, bi, and queer community in the Greater Toronto and surrounding suburb areas – with a recent expansion to Ottawa and other Ontario cities coming on board in the near future.

The Wizard of Oz Accompanied LIVE by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

On October 29th, put on your ruby slippers and follow the yellow brick road to Roy Thompson Hall. Watch the classic Judy Garland film The Wizard of Oz accompanied live by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

This once-in-a-lifetime show will take place at Roy Thompson Hall with a VIP, pre-show, Cocktail Reception, honouring the 2011 Steinert & Ferreiro Award winner.  For information and tickets, please visit: www.communityone.ca

The Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (OGLCC) is proud to be a Community Sponsor of the Community One Foundation’s annual fundraising event.