Outreach Reveal Realities of PPE Use & Cost to Business |
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As Atlantic Canada re-opened following the COVID shut down from March until early June, many had to navigate the challenges of accessing and implementing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and physical distancing requirement into their everyday operations.
But while compliance and access do not appear to present barriers, there are mixed reports on how costs of implementing the protective measures affected their business: 37% report little to now impact, while 28% saw an increase of up to 10% and 14% in the range of 11 – 75%.
Some insight members noted that clarity and consistency across the provinces is needed regarding group size allowances, and that for some, customers are not complying with or seeing the need for PPE.
Not a member? Join and create free account in our insight community today, where you will see survey results, advocacy the Chambers are undertaking and also share your opinions from time-to-time when an issue matter to you
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Chambers' Momentum Continues Action |
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With 94 chambers and boards of trade spanning our region, ACC is the largest accredited business organization of influence in Atlantic Canada. As COVID darkened our doors in March in Atlantic Canada, we saw each of these teams and boards step up to do what they do best: tirelessly support business through information delivery, advocacy, events. We want to express a huge thank you to this network of spectacular people who are united in their desire to see business success in each of their communities and in our region.
Since March, Chamber staff have participated in daily and weekly briefings from government and provided critical feedback that helped to shape the support programs governments delivered to support citizens and business—collectively sharing hundreds of updates to our thousands of members.
They have advocated fiercely for governments to address the concerns and issues they heard from their members, but also untied with other like-minded associations when needed to leverage a collective strength and influence. Our network saw more than 25 policy submissions and letters to Federal and Provincial governments on a wide range of issues affecting Atlantic Canada, with an additional 120 commentaries and stories on key issues and priorities in media outlets across the region.
The chambers also provided central access to on their websites to government information, professional experts (lawyers, economists, accountants, OHS experts), as well creating some amazing Local Business Support Campaigns.
The ACC team and board would like to thank our Chamber teams and boards for their ongoing dedication and drive to help businesses recover and rebuild in Atlantic Canada. The resilience of our people, business members and communities is truly unique.
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Provincial Updates – Advocacy in Action
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High Speed Internet for Rural Communities in Atlantic Canada |
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The chambers throughout Atlantic Canada have been advocating for the roll out of high-speed to its rural communities. ACC was pleased to see in the recent Throne Speech the government plans investments to enable a faster rollout of 5G networks, including in rural and remote areas, to improve services to Canadians and boost productivity—an advocacy win for our Chamber network.
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New Brunswick Elects Premier Blaine Higgs for Second Term |
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New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick won a majority government in the New Brunswick election. The PCs won 27 seats, compared to the opposition parties’ 22 seats.
ACC congratulates all candidates for putting their names forward for public office. See our letter to Premier Higgs here.
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Newfoundland and Labrador |
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ACC Concerned with 2020-21 NL Budget |
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Newfoundland and Labrador now has the largest debt in province’s history. With growing levels of debt and dramatically increasing debt servicing costs, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce has concerns that the province may be approaching a fiscal cliff. Now is the time to reign in spending.
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ACC optimistic about P.E.I's economic recovery following Fall Fiscal Update 2020/2021 |
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While PEI’s diverse economy, growing population, and relatively low case numbers of COVID-19 have helped the province weather this pandemic, there have been some sectors that have been devastated. Particularly, the tourism sector.
Moving forward, Prince Edward Island’s economy is expected to rebound significantly in 2021 and will be boosted by factors such as an increase in immigration to the province, federal income supports, and economic improvements among other provinces in the country and for trading partners around the world. The Atlantic Chamber continues to work with the Prince Edward Island Partnership for Growth and will be participating in a plan review on November 16th.
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Canadian Chamber AGM & Conference |
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The Canadian Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Annual General Meeting and Convention on October 26-27, 2020. During the event’s policy resolution debates, the Atlantic Chamber is putting forward two resolutions this year to be considered for inclusion in the Canadian Chamber’s policy book in the interest of Atlantic Canadian businesses.
1) Accelerating Immigration Programs in Canada
Currently, Canada’s immigration system has unintended barriers which hinder immigration efforts. These barriers can be addressed through making it standard practice in all Canadian immigration programs for work permit applicants to apply online with expedited processing for visa requiring individuals, or at a port of entry for visa exempt individuals.
2) Canada Needs More Rigour in Regulatory Decision-making to Support National Competitiveness
Government has a responsibility to Canadians to develop rules that protect public safety, but current processes that guide regulatory decision-making lack measures to ensure regulations imposed on business are necessary, proportionate, and efficient. The nation’s competitiveness requires a concerted effort to reduce regulatory red tape that inordinately burdens the productivity of Canada’s smaller businesses and reduces our attractiveness as a place to invest.
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Council for Women’s Advocacy |
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As part of the Council for Women’s advocacy (CWA), ACC joined with the Canadian Chambers and Canada’s business leaders across the count to identify 10 action items they wanted to see addressed in the government’s Speech from the Throne to support women and facilitate their full participation in the workforce as employers and employees. We were pleased to see National leadership on childcare funding to enable working women to more fully participate in the workforce, as well as the establishment of a taskforce for women in the workforce and support for women entrepreneurship—both recommendations from the CWA and an advocacy win for our Chamber network.
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Canadian Chamber highlights tax filing concerns |
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The pandemic has seen a meteoric increase in the number of Canadians working from home, requiring them to equip their new remote offices. Yet it’s not clear whether these Canadians can claim expenses associated with assembling and running home offices this coming tax season.
According to Statistics Canada, 6.8 million Canadians worked from home at one point during the year, roughly 4.7 million more Canadians than usual. An ambiguous definition in the tax code means every Canadian working from home this year could claim their home office expenses. If this happens, tens of thousands of Canadian employers would be required to fill out a three-page form, known as a T2200, 6.8 million times.
Click here for more information on the Canadian Chamber’s advocacy efforts
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Disconnected in the Connected World? |
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Our team is hearing from many the desire to get back to normal, attending meetings and events in person—connecting with humans in person again.
Your chambers are here for you!
During the shutdown and over the summer, our network events calendar was chock fill of webinars, talks, professional development sessions, and other virtual events, in fact we recorded more than 85 from March to September. We know that many more were happening throughout the Chamber network as they remained in contact with their members.
Our members are continuing their amazing line of virtual events, but many are starting to hold smaller in person events and hybrid events to provide the option of in-person or virtual.
If you’re looking for an event, trying to connect with other businesses leaders in Atlantic Canada, check with your local chamber and visit our regional listings.
Whether for business or social, we’ll help keep you connected!
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Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Business in a Changing World |
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With so many companies now working remotely and gaining an increased online presence due to COVID-19, this is an opportune time to make businesses aware of the cyber security resources available to them. CyberSecure Canada is a federal cyber certification program that aims to raise the cyber security baseline among Canadian businesses, increase consumer confidence in the digital economy and better position SMEs to compete globally. For more information on certification, and for free e-learning tools, please visit: www.canada.ca/CyberSecure
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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.
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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 |
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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