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Hurricane Fiona Disaster Relief & Recovery

Atlantic Canada has been devastated by the impact of Hurricane Fiona. Both Governments and support organizations are providing information and aid in the aftermath of the hurricane as people and business work to recover. ACC is gathering and sharing available information from the federal and provincial governments, as well as other support organizations on the ACC website here.  The Government of Canada has committed to matching donations sent to the Red Cross to aid communities during this difficult time. The Salvation Army is also taking donations. Links to both organizations are located on the ACC website here.

What Works? Exploring the Atlantic Canadian Labour Market

Atlantic Chamber has heard from you – our network – that you face major labour market challenges. Our critical Labour Market Survey is exploring labour market gaps for businesses and employees across Atlantic Canada, hiring expectations by business, recruitment channels, and employee expectations and desired job incentives. The feedback will be shared back to you and with our chamber network and government. The survey will take ~3 minutes to complete. Please take a few moments and share your impression today!

Atlantic Advocacy in Action

EI Commission Recommends Increase in Premiums

Following ongoing consultation, the Employment Insurance (EI) commission has recommended a rate increase for 2023. The rate announcement marks a 5-cent increase to EI Premiums as the rate for 2023 will be set at $1.63 per $100 of insurable earnings ($2.28 for employers). Over the past year ACC has advocated the importance of maintaining the current premium rate of EI for employers, including letters to Minister Qualtrough, the Minister responsible for Employment Insurance (EI), meeting regularly with the EI commissioner for employers, and participating in consultations. ACC continues to call upon Government to not increase premiums and pay off the EI debt directly rather than increasing employer premiums. For more information on the changes made to EI, click here.  

Economic Gridlock on the Path to Population Growth

Our government has set bold and ambitious immigration targets. While they have been meeting these targets each year, they have also hit roadblocks. Canada is now working overtime in an effort to process all of the new applicants that wish to enter the country, but the limited resources they to do so are causing major backlogs within the immigration system. Employers from across Atlantic Canada need a reliable immigration system to address labour shortages. If labour shortages are not addressed, then we may face the reality of slowed or stagnant economic growth. Click here to read more. 

Creating Growth Through Efficiency: The Importance of Reducing Red Tape

The cost of doing business continues to increase as we see stubbornly high rates of inflation as well as increasing interest rates. One policy lever governments can exercise is reducing regulatory burden. The reduction of regulatory burden is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve economic conditions for growth and to attract business investment. It also can be helpful to businesses trying to attract employees. Governments that want to unleash the economic potential of their private sector without fueling inflation should begin taking a red tape reduction lens to all matters concerning business. Click here to read more.   

Money & Influence: Stabilizing our Economy for Recovery

There are few economic conditions as devastating as high rates of inflation, yet that is exactly what Canada is dealing with. The Bank of Canada’s decision to print large sums of money has accelerated inflation to the highest rates we’ve seen in 40 years. Now the Bank of Canada will have to enact new measures to deal with inflation, but how do we prevent it from happening again in the future?  Click here to find out.

National Updates- One Network. One Voice

Canada Pension Plan Premiums on the Rise

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions are rising from 5.7 per cent of earnings this year to 5.95 per cent starting on Jan. 1 for both employers and employees. Government has been incrementally increasing CPP since 2019 and the proposed rate increase for 2023 is anticipated to be the final one. For more information, click here.

Canada Digital Adoption Program Support Available

Interested in adopting new technology in your workplace? The Boost Your Business Technology grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). For more information on the program and eligibility, click here.  

Public Engagement on Permanent Public Transit Funding in Canada

The Government of Canada has committed to invest $3 billion annually in permanent public transit funding, starting in 2026-27. Government is now looking for feedback and ideas on how this funding should be spent. Those interested in participating in the public consultation are asked to submit questionnaire responses by no later than October 14, 2022. Click here for more information. 

New Amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers)

On September 26, 2022 the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), Sean Fraser, announced new amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers) are now in force. The 13 new regulatory amendments include measures to strengthen protections for TFWs and will enhance the integrity of the TFW Program and the International Mobility Program (IMP), administered by IRCC. The new regulations will impact employers and TFWs by: mandating that employers provide all TFWs with information about their rights in Canada; prohibiting reprisal by employers against workers, for instance against those who come forward with complaints; and, prohibiting employers from charging recruitment fees to workers and holding them accountable for the actions of recruiters in this regard. In addition, employers are now required to provide reasonable access to health care services. Employers using the TFW Program, are also required to provide private health insurance when needed. The announcement can be viewed here.

New Business Opportunities: Chamber Programs & Services

Atlantic Notice Board – Procurement Opportunities

ACC’s Atlantic Notice Board is a central source for government and other funding agency information, services, programs and opportunities available to members and businesses in the region. Click here for current procurement opportunities

Business Resources & Links in Atlantic Canada

ACC maintains a list of business information and resources that is available for members and business in the region.  Click here to view the list of resources.

Network Events Calendar

ACC maintains a pan-Atlantic events calendar for members and for business in the region. Listings are free to post. Chambers, members and businesses contribute, so the calendar is an excellent means of discovering networking opportunities across the region. Bookmark the events calendar here

ACC Corporate Partners

Not a member, join this prestigious community of influence by becoming a Corporate Partner today. https://www.atlanticchamber.ca/corporate-partners

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About ACCion News ACCion News is the policy and membership newsletter of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. Content submissions are always welcome.

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