Happy Holidays and Joyous New Year |
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As we head into the holiday season and the New Year, the board and staff at the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce to wish all of members, future members, partners and colleagues within business, government and associations across Atlantic Canada a health and happy season with your family and friends. |
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Advocacy that Makes a Difference:
Policy Wins & Activities in 2022
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It has been year packed with policy again in 2022 and ACC and its network have played a meaningful role throughout 2022. We have had some key policy wins of a few fronts, as well as ongoing contributions and advocacy in several key areas. We look forward to continuing this important work in 2023 - advancing policy that matters and makes a difference for business. |
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Business Interests Strongly Represented at
Canadian Chamber Policy Debates
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The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce attended the Canadian Chamber’s National Policy Debates in October and from labour and supply chains to immigration and physician shortages, the chambers in Atlantic Canada represented business well on the national stage. ACC and member chambers sponsored or co-sponsored nine policy resolutions that were introduced for debate and discussion. Eight out of the nine resolutions from Atlantic Canada passed this year with majority support from the delegates.
The annual debates saw 60 policy resolutions debated by 307 delegates representing 107 Chambers of Commerce from across the country. The Atlantic region represented the 4th largest voting block in the country. The policy debates are strongly grassroots, driven by chamber members and determine the policy direction for the national network. They cover a wide range of issues that aim to improve conditions for the private sector by addressing economic and social issues. For more information on all resolutions passed this year, click here.
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Canada’s Fall Economic Statement |
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The Government of Canada released its Fall Economic Statement and highlighted new spending measures as well as budgetary restraint. ACC was pleased to see Government:
- Work toward reducing credit card transaction fees for small businesses
- Allocate $1 billion for Hurricane Fiona relief
- Project a balanced budget for 2027/2028
- Create a sustainable job training centre to improve the skills of 15,000 workers to work in the low carbon economy
- Introduce investment tax credits for clean tech in electricity generation systems, low carbon heat equipment, stationary electricity storage systems, and Industrial zero-emission vehicles and related charging or refueling equipment.
- Provide support to help clear the immigration backlogs ($1.6 billion over 6 years)
While there were many positive announcements and programs in the Fall Economic Statement, there was an absence of a plan to deal with the cost of living and doing business crisis.
Additionally, the Government of Canada plans to continue moving ahead with payroll and carbon tax increases which further accelerate affordability concerns. ACC and its member chambers will be watching these closely and advocating as appropriate in the coming months.
To view the Government of Canada’s full Fall Economic Statement, click here.
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Canadian Chamber Network Parliament Hill Day |
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The Chamber of Commerce network kicked of Small Business Week 2022 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa meeting with key officials to discuss business priorities for their regions.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s annual Parliament Hill Day Event took place on October 17, 2022 which saw 39 Chamber of Commerce executives from provincial and local chambers across the country hear from and meet with Federal government officials. By all accounts, the day was an insightful and productive opportunity to raise key business priorities and discuss the issues that matter to business local communities and provinces.
The day began with greetings and remarks from the Hon. Perrin Beatty, CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce; Hon. Tim Uppal, MP and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party; Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and followed with a remarks at lunch by the Hon. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. Minister Ng who highlighted the Government of Canada’s supports to help small businesses innovate and grow.
Other meetings included:
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Hon. Ahmed Hussen, MP, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
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Hon. Marie-France Lalonde, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
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Hon. Tom Kmiec, MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees
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Hon. Terry Sheehan, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour
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Hon. Brad Vis, MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business Recovery and Growth
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Hon. Salma Zahid, MP, Chair of Standing Committee on Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees
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Blake Oliver and Yash Nanda, Senior Policy Advisors, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance
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Olivier Cullen, Director of Operations, Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services
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Joshua Larocque, Acting Associate Deputy Minister, Transport Canada
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Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
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Douglas Nevison, Assistant Deputy Minister, Climate Change Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada
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Kelly Bryant, Director of Policy to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
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John Hannaford, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources
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Federal Carbon Tax Coming to Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island |
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The Federal Carbon tax backstop is being introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island on July 1, 2023. Atlantic Canada, being a largely rural region, will be disproportionately impacted by the effects of the federal backstop as it will further add to the cost of living and doing business in the region. Introducing a tax policy that escalates each year will only fuel the issues of affordability. ACC will continue to advocate for a region appropriate approach for carbon tax.
For more information on the carbon tax coming to the region, click here.
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NS Internet Rebate Program and Project Expansion Announced |
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The Satellite Internet Service Rebate program is expanding again in Nova Scotia. As of November 30, 2022 the program is accepting applications from all residents and business owners across the province who are currently unserved by high-speed wired or wireless internet. Projects previously announced through the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative continue to advance. This expanded program will provide an interim solution for many Nova Scotians.
The rebate remains available to the approximately 3,700 homes and businesses for which no feasible wired or wireless internet solution has been found as well as addresses previously identified as not receiving high-speed access until after the end of 2023. The rebate will cover the one-time costs for eligible homes and businesses to set-up satellite internet, including hardware, taxes, shipping and installation, up to a maximum of $1,000.
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Spending less, Connecting more
Canadian consumers are craving in-person connection this holiday season
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Deloitte’s 2022 Holiday Retail Outlook |
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This holiday season will once again see Canadian consumers fluctuate between cautious optimism and concern. How will the tension between economic uncertainty and the pursuit of in-person connection impact consumers heading into the holidays?
Steve Lund, former Chair of the Atlantic Chamber and Deloitte's Managing Partner, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island provided these thoughts on the report.
“The headline for 2022 is that Canadians are expected to shop early and hunt for deals to stretch a lower holiday budget - 17% less than 2021. The silver lining is that Canadians are seeking more connection with friends and family through in-person gatherings: visits to stores, formal dinners and hosted events are expected to increase this year. These Canadian trends will extend to Atlantic as well.”
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ACC has joined 30 other partners asking Minister Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, to recognize the importance of a return to the office for government workers in a letter recently. Increasing in-person engagement and economic activity in communities that have government offices is a priority for the business community and ACC urged the federal government to lead the way on returning government employees to the workplace. Click here to view the letter.
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Breaking Records in Immigration |
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ACC is pleased to see the new ambitious immigration targets set by the Government of Canada. Last year Canada welcomed over 405,000 newcomers¾the most we’ve ever welcomed in a single year. The Government of Canada is not slowing down and is planning on welcoming 465,000 permanent residents in 2023; 485,000 in 2024; and 500,000 in 2025. Government is planning to prioritize rural communities and small towns in the new immigration plan, which will be significantly important for Atlantic Canada as we aim to grow our population and our labour market. Click here for more information.
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Your Feedback Shapes Our Advocacy Work
& Better Outcomes for Your Business
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As the voice of business, our network continues to advocate on the issues that are in the best interest of business. Good data and evidence-based intelligence helps our network cultivate more meaningful conversations with government officials.
Be sure to include your views in the evidence-based research we provide governments to substantiate our advocacy claims.
Join Atlantic IMPRESSIONS today.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be heard or see what others like you are saying.
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Programs and Support for Business |
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The ACC has a few programs currently running to help business export and to enhance the adoption of smart technology within SME manufacturing. Also, the government of Canada is offering grants for digital adoption investments. Be sure to check out these programs below. |
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Export Development in Asia and Europe
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If one of your members is an experienced exporter and hasn’t considered trans-Atlantic sales, direct them to look at the AMDP and EMDP webpages or contact Glenn Davis (902-292-0121) our Program Manager for more details.
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Forge Ahead Spotlight on Blue Light Analytics
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Do you have businesses that are considering modernizing and adopting smart technology?
We have bilingual guides available for chambers to share with their businesses with helpful information about getting started on the journey to modernization and assistance that is available.
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Do you know a student interested in advanced manufacturing or using smart technology?
We have resources for them!
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Canada Digital Adoption Program |
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I nterested 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.
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New Business Opportunities: Chamber Programs & Services |
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Atlantic Notice Board – Procurement Opportunities |
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Business Resources & Links in Atlantic Canada |
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ACC maintains a list of business information and resources that is available for members and business in the region.
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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
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Not a member, join this prestigious community of influence
by becoming a Corporate Partner today.
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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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