Page 10 - GBC Fall 2024 ENG

Message From The Editor, Golf Business Canada Magazine • Shawn Hunter
As we have learned in recent years, government advocacy is crucial for the Canadian golf industry, particularly for golf course owners and operators. Engaging with municipal, provincial and federal policymakers ensures that our industry’s unique needs are addressed, leading to more favourable decisions on governmental policies/mandated clos- ures; capital, property and income taxes changes; and future land evaluations.
After a four-year pause due to the pandemic, on May 23rd, 2024 the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) returned to Ottawa and hosted National Golf Day at Parliament Hill. This collaboration of key stakeholders from the Canadian golf industry, led by NAGA Chair and NGCOA Canada CEO, Jeff Calderwood, with NGCOA Canada president, Daniel Pilon, met with dozens of MPs during the event to discuss the positive benefits of golf for Canadians. On the eve of National Golf Day, NAGA also released Golf In Canada: Economic Impact Study of Golf 2023 (EIS) which highlights golf’s financial contributions and incredible popularity as the number one participation sport in Canada!
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In our cover story, Calderwood opens the Parliament doors on this event to provide you behind the scenes access and rolls up his sleeves to illustrate how some of these EIS key findings can help you at your own club. Staying informed about legislative developments and participating in advocacy efforts can help mitigate risks and create opportunities for positive governmental support and involvement. Sharing these ongoing efforts with your local media and golfers, helps build community support and transparency, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among all golf industry stakeholders.
In this issue, Golf Business Canada also presents several insightful departmental articles to help you and your management team. In our Human Resources article, “Constructive Dismissal: A Closer Look at Employer Liability”, Darcy Michaud of HRCovered will detail this legal concept, as well as its liability for employers, and how you can best navigate this complex aspect of employment law at your golf course.
Tara Ciecko and Trevor Peverley of CK Golf Solutions illustrate “The Power of Short Form Video” to improve your club’s social media outreach and through
a client’s recent case study show how it can greatly impact your overall marketing efforts. Do not miss the “Make Your Golf Events Memorable!” article that highlights some out-of- the-box suggestions to surprise and delight your golfers.
On behalf of our Golf Business Canada team, I wish you all the best for the balance of the 2024 golf season. Be sure to register your team for a fun day at an upcoming NGCOA Canada Golf Invitational near you, and I look forward to seeing you at our Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show, November 19-21 in Calgary!
Cheers!
Shawn J. Hunter
Regional Director, SW Ontario Chapter shunter@ngcoa.ca
The First Tee
United We Stand