Greetings from your CEO
Dear Members,
Congratulations to all the Business Awards nominees!
You have been recognized for Excellence in Best Practices. Best practice means finding and using the best ways of working to achieve your business objectives. It involves keeping up to date with the ways that successful businesses operate - in your sector and others and measuring your ways of working against those used by the market leaders. Well done and keep up the great work!
Early Bird Tickets for the Business Awards Gala are now available on our website to purchase. Also this month the Chamber will be holding a "Back to Business" FREE Breakfast Mixer for our members at Mill River Resort on Wednesday, March 23rd from 8:00-9:30 AM. Please register in advance to save a spot. Purchase Breakfast Mixer Tickets!
The West Prince Chamber of Commerce continues to be your voice for business and will engage in the hard conversations as we move forward. Learning to adapt and modify your business will continue to be the trend for future success as the supply chains worsen and inflation increases. The rising costs of doing business, include resources, labor, capital, energy, and raw materials. "The Canadian Chamber of Commerce reports that this will be the biggest obstacle for businesses over the next few months. 6 in 10 businesses are likely to pass on the rising cost of doing business to customers over the next 12 months. The Canadian industries most likely to pass along costs are accommodation and food services (81.9%), wholesale trade (79.9%), manufacturing (79.9%) and construction (77%).” For more info on business conditions, you can visit the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions.
On a positive note, the West Prince Chamber of Commerce continues to grow our network and has reached 230 members. Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support as we work together for a positive recovery. I hope to see many of you at one of our upcoming events!
Prince Edward Island's 2022-2023 provincial budget ("PEI Budget 2022") was tabled on Feb. 24, 2022.
The following are some of the key highlights:
- PEI Budget 2022 estimates show a deficit of $26.5 million for the 2021-2022 fiscal year as compared to a deficit of $112.1 million for the same period in the previous budget.
- No changes to the corporate tax rates or the $500,000 small business limit are proposed.
- Effective January 1, 2022, the PEI small business tax rate has decreased to 1% from 2%.
- The PEI Budget 2022 proposes to increase the basic personal income tax exemption to $12,000, effective January 1, 2023. This increase is from $11,250 in 2022.
- Other notable items include:
- Rebates on bicycle purchases, electric vehicles, and heat pumps.
- Investment in the cleantech industry, tourism, various youth programs across the province, healthcare, rental support, and affordable housing.
For a full report of the Prince Edward Island, budget click here.
Tammy Rix
Chief Executive Officer
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Congratulations!
Business Excellence Awards Nominees
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The RURAL PEI Labour Market Development Partnership has started to transition from assessment to assistance of labour market issues affecting rural small/medium-sized businesses. Last Fall, we were able to determine the main labour market issues affecting our SMEs via our needs assessment survey. That information (even though conducted during an unprecedented pandemic period), holds valuable insight into the effect the labour market situation is having on the ability of our businesses to continue operating, grow, become more efficient/profitable and succeed.
Some of the issues outlined relating to demographics i.e. (smaller population numbers, ageing population etc.) are factors that unfortunately cannot be readily resolved but are duly considered and lead to recommendations such as the need for easier access to foreign workers and an improved immigration process etc. Other socio-economic issues such as the effect of the current Employment Insurance and other government assistance programs have been identified as possible hindrances to the availability of workers to businesses. We have considered these effects and are advocating for a revision of some of these programs to bring a better balance of available workers who can positively affect the labour market pool.
The one area that the LMDP has seen as a vehicle that can have an immediate effect is our ability to partner with training/education providers and community stakeholders to develop and provide much needed local, easily accessible and relevant training and upskilling to current employees of our rural SME's. This process of identifying and providing training in an effective manner can allow businesses to affordably improve their labour market situation and hopefully address their operational concerns. While this avenue may not readily assist in providing opportunities for expansion, at least it can provide a platform for stability and improved productivity as we transition from the uncertainty of the past two years.
We encourage any businesses that are looking to provide training for their employees to reach out to us. You can contact Kester Nurse, Labour Market Resource at 902-726-9378 or email: Kester@westprincechamber.com
www.ruralpeilabourmarket.com
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"BIZY IN THE STICKS"
Process of Hiring Foreign Workers
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PODCAST ALERT!
Everyone's looking for workers. If your company or business is struggling to find workers, we have a discussion that may be of interest to you!
***In this episode we get an introduction to the process of hiring foreign workers, with professional advice from James Kang of H&G Immigration Consulting and feedback from Dougie Martin of Martin's Machine Shop.***
Podbean:
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Follow "BIZY IN THE STICKS" on Podbean to get notifications:
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Do you have news or important information you would like to share with other members? Chamber E-News goes out monthly!
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H & R Block Alberton
Do you live in a northern part of Canada? Travel deductions have been expanded so more residents can claim their expenses for trips to and from northern regions. Check out the good news in our latest blog post to see what deductions you can claim when filing your 2021 return.
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Are you new to Canada or became a Canadian resident in 2021? Hear from our Senior Tax Expert, Joseé Cabral on how this may affect your taxes!
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The PEI Community Navigators are here to work with all newcomers and new residents to the rural regions of Western, Meet Scott Smith the Western PEI Navigator. As you transition into your new life, he is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have and to open the doors to everything you’ll need to know about your new community. Reach out to Scott today at 902-853-3616.
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Marshal comes from a long line of potato farmers. His father Derek and Uncle Chris Smallman took over the potato operation of their father, Avard Smallman, but the farm’s history can be traced back to Avard’s grandfather, Dan Smallman, who started with a 100-acre mixed farm in the 1920s, later growing 30 to 40 acres of potatoes.
Dan’s son, Foster took over the farm in 1946 and was growing 100 acres a year before retiring. His son, Avard joined the operation in 1969 and continued the expansion.
Derek started farming with his father in 1990 and Christopher joined up in 1996 and, by 2002, they had shifted their potato operation to exclusively growing processing potatoes.
Avard has become the farm’s go-for. His sons have continued the operation and they look to Derek’s son Marshall and Chris's son Bryar to carry on the legacy.
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Kayla Ellis is a new business owner of Aster + Ash Boutique located on main street Alberton, a beautiful curation of contemporary women's clothing and light home goods. Kayla believes in empowering women to feel their absolute best. If you are a repeat buyer from a small business she wants you to know that she really appreciates and loves your support! #We #LoveLocalPEI
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459 Main Street, Alberton, PEI
Ph: 902-432-9317
Email: kayla@asterandash.com
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Membership Resources & Programs |
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Did you know our Chamber signs Certificates of Origin for export? This is one of our many member benefits.
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Have you taken advantage of our B2B Program? The Business 2 Business Member Benefit Program offers discounted prices to chamber members only. Call or email today to be a B2B Business Sponsor.
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B2B Programs helps promote its members and the services they offer. Support & promote our local economy, stimulate new business through increased exposure and word of mouth referals. You can also create new business contacts and leads to customers.
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Thank you Business Sponsors!
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Youth Employment and Skills Program Applications Open
The application intake period for the program is now open. Applications will be accepted between February 28, 2022, and March 21, 2022.
The YESP aims to support agrifood employers and provide young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 with job experience that could lead to a career in agriculture. Since 2019 the YESP has supported the creation of nearly 1,000 agricultural jobs across Canada, and this year will focus on supporting those who face employment barriers. For more information click HERE.
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Canada Digital Adoption Program
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced the launch of the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), to help Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses grow their online presence and upgrade or adopt their digital technologies.
Under the CDAP, Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be able to assess their digital readiness and apply for grants and loans online. This funding will help leverage e-commerce opportunities, upgrade or adopt digital technologies, and digitize operations to stay competitive and meet customers’ needs in the digital marketplace. Depending on their size, specific needs, and goals, businesses can apply for funding through the Grow Your Business Online or Boost your Business Technology streams.
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CIRA’s Community Investment Program grants fund innovative community internet projects to build a resilient, trusted, and secure internet for all Canadians. The grant application period will open on March 1, 2022. Applicants can request up to $100,000 in funding. For example, CIRA grants can be a great opportunity to get funding for connectivity projects in our area – for things like feasibility studies, community capacity-building, or actual bandwidth rollout. Infrastructure funding can be combined with other funding sources to launch projects with a much larger budget. You can find examples of past Infrastructure projects on
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- Refrigeration and equipment to support food waste reduction and recovery
- Construction of or upgrades to community buildings
- Firefighting and rescue equipment
- Play structures and recreation areas
- Renovations or upgrades that reduce a building’s energy footprint
If you live in a community under 150,000 people and need funding for a capital project that enriches the lives of community residents, check out the eligibility guidelines.
Applications are closed and will re-open in April 2022
FCC 4-H Club Fund
The FCC 4-H Club Fund provides up to $500 each for 4-H clubs, districts, and regions across Canada to assist with costs associated with developing existing programs and activities.
Applications open August 2022.
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Cyber.Right.Now. Pens Open Letter regarding the
Urgent Need for Cyber Security Vigilance and Investment
The members of the Cyber.Right.Now. The campaign urges the Government of Canada to raise the bar on cybersecurity in the 2022 federal budget by undertaking the following three actions to ensure that our infrastructure is resilient to cyber-attacks and that our economy can continue to grow as one of the world’s most innovative, vibrant and secure places to do business.
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The PEI Events Innovation Fund (PEIF) has been established by the Tourism Industry Association of PEI (TIAPEI) to support innovative festival and event development to build the Island’s tourism industry. Program contributions to any one festival or event shall be a minimum of $7,500 to a maximum of $125,000. Organizations who support more than one event may submit a separate application for each unique event. Contribution from the PEI Events Innovation Fund shall not exceed 50% of eligible expenses. Successful applicants shall receive a letter of offer detailing the responsibilities of the applicant to access the approved funds. Up to 75% of approved funds may be released upon signing of a contribution agreement between applicant and TIAPEI.
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Trusted, Engaged, Responsive, and in your Community! Refer a local business to join today!
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