A Robust Year of Advocacy as the Atlantic Canadian Voice of Business |
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While 2021 continued to see a large part advocacy work focused on COVID-19 support for business, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce engaged with our Provincial Advisory Committees (PACs), our network and other partners to address and support more than 39 key policy issues in the region, including: affordable housing; airline route suspensions; creation of an Atlantic Investment Bubble; aquaculture consultation; COVID-19 rapid testing and vaccine distribution; resumption of the Atlantic Bubble; economic recovery and business supports; employment insurance; excise taxes on beer, wine and spirits; Federal election and budget consultations; provincial elections, leadership races, and budgets consultations; immigration and population growth; local governance consultation and reform; minimum wage; national pharmacare; red tape reduction; rural internet; tax reform; and women’s advocacy and childcare. ACC also delivered 13 briefs and positions to provincial and federal governments and participated in more than 20 provincial and federal consultations throughout the year.
2022 is promising to equally as busy as we continue to navigate the pandemic and following our policy consultations with Chambers and annual survey of business in our Atlantic Impressions Community conducted in November and December 2021 , we will be releasing in the next few weeks our Annual Policy Pillars and Atlantic Insights reports which establish our advocacy direction for 2022.
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Atlantic Businesses Plan to Invest in Digital and Smart Tech in 2022 |
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The future may be uncertain and how we will fare after COVID remains unknown, but business must plan as best they can for their future. Just before the holidays, we wanted to see where business leaders were in terms of innovation investments. We polled 124 people from our online insight community, Atlantic IMPRESSIONS, asking them if they were considering adopting digital or new smart technologies into their business operations in 2022.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we were pleasantly surprised to find that 59% are considering adopting digital or new smart technologies into their operations in 2022, while only 25% are unsure at this time and 17% are not considering it.
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The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to release its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. |
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While 2021 continued to be a year of supplying vital support to members and the communities they serve, ACC remained a strong voice for business in Atlantic Canada. ACC has been focused on building capacity internally and throughout the region, working with our partners to establish a stronger presence and to strengthen the sustainability of our chamber network for members.
A prosperous, resilient, and growing Atlantic Canada where people, business and communities thrive for current and generations to come is our vision of the future. The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan provides a foundation this vision, and outlines the priorities and strategies that will help us deliver upon this important mandate as we work to deliver member value and make a positive impact on vibrant and growing Atlantic Canada.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to this vision as we head for 2025, please take some time and review our plan forward: 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.
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Provincial Updates – Advocacy in Action
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Government Supports in Place for Impacted Businesses |
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Due to the recent lockdowns imposed in New Brunswick, Opportunities NB has launched another phase of the New Brunswick Small Business Recovery Grant program and has extended it until the end of February 2022. Eligible businesses can receive a one-time payment of up to $10,000.
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Minimum Wage Report Released |
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The Government of Nova Scotia intends to increase the minimum wage to $13.35 per hour as of April 1, 2022 and tentatively plans to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2024. To read the minimum wage review committee’s report, click here.
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ACC sent a letter to the NS government expressing concern and requesting more information. A meeting was held on January 18 and the government did not retreat from the original announcement but provided assurances they would work closely with operators. Based on direction from the NS Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC), ACC drafted a further letter that was sent to the Federal government to convey a request that the federal-provincial agreement be amended to ensure funding of for profits as is the case in several other provinces. A copy of the letter will be posted on our policy submissions page.
At this point the government has no framework for implementing the agreement. As we move forward it might be important to reinforce the value of for-profit daycare operators provide to parents, other businesses, and communities.
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Letter to the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau |
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The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce recently sent a letter to Minister Bibeau on behalf of Chambers, Boards of Trade, and business members in Prince Edward Island in support of the PEI potato industry. The letter encouraged the federal government to take a more active role in education of trading partners and highlighted the importance of exporting.
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National Updates- One Network. One Voice |
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Canada Emergency Business Account Extension |
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The Atlantic Chamber is please to see the repayment deadline for Canada Emergency Business (CEBA) loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness will be extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.
For more information on the extension, click here.
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Atlantic Chamber Provides Feedback to Employment Insurance Commissioner for Employers
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ACC has met with the Employment Insurance Commissioner and provincial members of parliament during consultations in the Atlantic provinces over the last few month to provide feedback on potential future changes to the employment insurance framework. Areas covered include eligibility thresholds and requirements, program simplification, key considerations for employers and current labour market challenges.
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Policy Insights – Your Voice Fuels our Actions. |
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Your Feedback Fuels Network Advocacy & 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. Be sure to include your views in the evidence-based research we provide governments to substantiate our advocacy claims. Join our network’s digital insight community. We share information and survey results with you on the hub, and we reach out with an issue-based survey
1 or 2 times per month—simply opt-in when the issue matters to you.
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Join Atlantic IMPRESSIONS today.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be heard or see what others like you are saying.
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“In a world where you can shop anywhere…shop local.” |
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Discover Shop Local Campaigns in communities across Atlantic Canada.
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To create stronger businesses that withstand sudden changes, it’s important to take stock of your customers and operations, optimize processes and automate tasks, and consolidate systems or outsources services to optimize your productivity and efficacy.
Its also important to make the most of all the programs and services your Chamber membership offers – providing bottom line savings for your business.
Make the Most of Your Chamber Membership & Save on Really Useful Services & Programs
Health Insurance, Business Assistance and EAP Services, Merchant Services,
E-Commerce, COVID Compliance, Student Wage Subsidies, Business-Home-Auto Insurance, & Payroll.
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Not a member, join this prestigious community of influence by becoming a Corporate Partner today.
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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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Clover, from Fiserv, simplifies the lives of small business merchants with all-in-one, tailored business management solutions that help merchants; accept payments easily, run their business more efficiently, and identify opportunities to grow their business. Clover's business management solutions provide the software, hardware, and tools that restaurant, retail, and service merchants need to run all aspects of their business more effectively.
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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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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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