ACC Addresses Key Issues for NL Premier, Hon. Andrew Furey with Insight from Atlantic IMPRESSIONS Community
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In a recent engagement with NL members of the new Atlantic IMPRESSIONS insight community, the chamber network has heard directly from Newfoundland and Labradorians about the issues most important to them. Feedback gathered between August 12 – 24, 2020 revealed:
- The majority of people are primarily concerned most about power rates (71%), debt and deficit reduction (71%), and economic development (71%), follow closely by taxes (59%), public sector reform (59%) and jobs (59%).
- The majority of people believe the new Premier’s focus should be on economic development (71%), budget cuts (59%), creating efficiencies through technology advances (59%) to improve the province’s financial situation.
Don’t miss an opportunity to share your opinion or see what others think. For more detailed results, joint the Atlantic IMPRESSIONS insight community where survey results are shared back directly to members following each consultation and engagement.
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ACC Supports Women’s Advocacy & Calls upon Federal Government to Act Upon 5 Recommendations
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The Atlantic Chamber pleased be a part of the Canadian Chamber’s Council for Women’s Advocacy (CWA) with the goal of reversing the trend of disproportionate workplace impacts to women.
See the release, documentation and be sure to like and share the five recommendations calling on the federal government to immediately realize the following five recommendations to support women, foster inclusive recovery and ensure sustained economic growth.
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ACC Works With NB Chambers to Identify Key Issues for Business in the Lead up to the Election
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New Brunswick is heading to the polls on September 14th, as Premier Blaine Higgs called for an election on August 24th. This of course will be a very different experience for many as most people and businesses are still navigating their way through the effects of COVID, and still many more anticipate a second wave.
Prior to COVID, the province faced severe demographic, fiscal and growth challenges and they will certainly remain—only now compounded by the impacts of COVID. As we look to the future, we must double down on finding solutions to many of these challenges, as well as new opportunities to ensure a stronger fiscal future. We have seen what a world with limited to no business looks like and we must do what we can to encourage business recovery and success.
Conducting Business Impact Assessments will be a minimum standard requirement for rally and recovery, we must limit new non-essential regulations that increase costs or debt for businesses, the need for high-speed rural Internet in underserved areas is more acute now than ever before, as is the need to expand remote work capacity.
Further, we must enhance our ability to attract capital investment from the private sector in an even more competitive world looking to rebound from COVID. Fiscal stewardship will be critical as we look to lessen the impact of debts and deficits on future generations that have created by today’s situational demands. To this end, we must also ensure world-class healthcare that can respond to the needs created by the now know pressures a pandemic delivers.
The list is certainly long and the challenge of leading us out of our current circumstances will be great.
We are engaging New Brunswickers via Atlantic IMPRESSIONS to ensure we are sharing timely input from you direct to the leaders.
We can shape better outcomes with your insight, so be sure to join the community and share your insight from time-to-time.
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ACC Calls Upon Governments to Make the Minimum Wage Reliable and Predictable
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The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce recently wrote an Op-ed which appeared in Chronicle Herald on the topic of minimum wage. While all Atlantic provinces adjust the minimum wage on April 1, public policy on minimum wage varies across the region as each province has taken a different approach to how increases are determined.
- Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is currently $12.55 an hour. The calculation for the base wage will return to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) formula in 2022
- New Brunswick’s minimum wage is adjusted annually relative to the CPI. The wage is currently $11.70 per hour.
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Newfoundland and Labrador’s minimum wage will be increased to $12.15 on October 1st,2020 and will see additional increases moving forward before it is solely tied to CPI on April 1, 2022. The wage is currently $11.65 per hour.
- Prince Edward Island currently has the highest minimum wage in Atlantic Canada and is presently at $12.85 per hour.
The Atlantic Chamber proposes that it is essential to make minimum wage increases predictable and reasonable. The Consumer Price Index removes arbitrary decision making from setting the minimum wage and also gives both employers and employees a basis to adequately plan for future increases. Both Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are presently engaging stakeholders in minimum wage consultations. As those Governments move forward with consultations, it will be important for them to commit or re-commit to tying the wage to an economic indicator and reducing political discretion.
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ACC & NB Chambers Ask Province of NB and NB Power to Reconsider Maritime Iron Project
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On July 21st, 2020 chambers of commerce in New Brunswick expressed concern that negotiations related to a $1.5 billion iron processing plant in northern New Brunswick were terminated by NB Power. The concern from chambers of commerce is the hands-off approach from Government and the determination of economic growth opportunities by NB Power. In our opinion, a decision of this magnitude should be made from a Government of New Brunswick-centric perspective—a lens that supports a decision based on the best interests of all New Brunswickers.
There is a concern that New Brunswick has developed a culture of “no” when it comes to investment opportunities that are accompanied by new jobs and economic growth without exhausting efforts to find a middle ground. The Chambers of Commerce in New Brunswick conveyed these thoughts to Premier Higgs and the Premier has since responded.
The correspondence to and from Premier Higgs can be found within our Atlantic IMPRESSIONS insight community.
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PEI Partnership for Growth to Resume Activities
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After a temporary pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Partnership for Growth has resumed its work to set a bold direction for the Island’s economic future.
In July, the Partnership for Growth’s 21 partners reconvened to determine its path forward as the local business community begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, partners expressed eagerness and excitement to resume activities with an eye on PEI’s economic future.
The Partnership for Growth believes that now more than ever, their goal to develop an economic action plan that focuses on Prince Edward Island’s long-term economic growth is needed. After establishing a revised timeline, the Partnership intends to deliver this plan by the end of 2020.
In the coming months, the Partnership will be seeking input on its draft economic action plan. Feedback will be collected through an online platform.
Islanders are encouraged to follow upcoming Partnership for Growth activities and events online:
- Facebook: @peipartnershipforgrowth
- Twitter: @PEI_PFG
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PEI Government invites Islanders to Share Their Ideas on Future
Islanders are encouraged to share their innovative, bold and sustainable ideas with the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth and help shape Prince Edward Island’s future.
As of August 11th, 2020, Islanders can share their ideas online with the Council to guide the development of a plan to move the province forward over the coming months and years. Islanders will have until September 15 to submit their ideas online.
More information can found for the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth here
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Canadian Chamber Launches Independent Tax Commission to Spur Recovery
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Canada’s taxation system is long overdue for reforms. The last meaningful look at taxation took place in 1967 when the Royal Commission on Taxation (Carter Commission) put forth a set of recommendations. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pressing for a more competitive, simpler and fairer tax system as a critical driver of Canada’s recovery from the economic crater of COVID-19.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has pressed for tax reform over the last several years which has been backed up by the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce. As they said: “The committee recommends that the federal government establish a Royal Commission on Taxation to examine Canada’s tax system with the goal of improving the efficiency, simplicity and international competitiveness of the system and that the commission complete its study within the next three years.”
The Canadian Chamber has officially announced that it will launch its own review of the tax system and has named eight special commissioners to a panel. Successive Canadian governments have avoided tackling comprehensive tax reform for 60 years, believing it too complicated to achieve. As political leaders consider their next steps to foster recovery and prosperity post COVID-19, they need to consider tax reform and the recommendations that will emerge from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's independent review.
The Atlantic Chamber supports this tax review and its goals. Canada needs a tax system is competitive, fair, and simplified. Click here to read more about the review from the Canadian Chamber.
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Helping the Bottom Line & Getting Online
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We know most businesses are facing an economic shock due to the shutdown imposed by COVID-19 and livelihoods are at stake. We also know that other businesses are experiencing an unparalleled upswing in business for the same reason. Respectfully, we want make businesses aware of two programs we have available if you need them.
A Discount Shipping Program with one shipping website with one-stop comparison of Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar and DHL discounted rates – savings up to 70%! Enrol with your local community Chamber and start saving today.
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Let First Data take your business online in a few easy steps
Ecwid is now integrated to both Clover and Bambora and FREE for 90 days. If a business is already using Clover from First Data, they can download Ecwid’s app called “Sell Online” and start selling online immediately. If the merchant isn’t already using Clover and doesn’t have a need for a card present solution, we recommend using Bambora.
As a special promotion, First Data Canada merchants can get the first 3 months of any paid monthly plan of Ecwid for free.
If you are not a First Data client or want more information, please contact Mohamed-Ali Kessentini – [email protected]
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Procurement Opportunities: Visit ACC’s Atlantic Notice Board
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Your source for Government and other agency procurement opportunities, agency information, services, programs and opportunities for businesses in the region. Find your next opportunity, visit the Atlantic Notice Board regularly.
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Advertise Your Business or Service: ACC’s MarketPlace
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Looking for a way to promote your business throughout Atlantic Canada cost-effectively. Visit The Market Place, our Business-2-Member (B2M) site that provides you with #AllAccess to unique programs and services from companies that can help you do business in the region.
Our goal is to help drive awareness, create a dialogue within communities, and communicate value-added programs and issues to our members in Atlantic Canada. Visit The Market Place to see our promotional pricing and social media packages.
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About ACCion News
ACCion News is the policy and membership newsletter of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. Published monthly except July, content submissions are always welcome.
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