St. John's metro-area companies make the cut
Five local companies have been recognized as some of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. Announced on April 5, 2022 in The Globe and Mail, this year's winners were compared to other organizations across the country for best workplaces and employee-friendly human resources policies, as well as their ability to adapt to these unprecedented times. 2022 award recipients include: Bluedrop ISM, CoLab Software, Genoa Design International, Noseworthy Chapman and Sequence Bio. The City of St. John's is proud of the national recognition afforded these exceptional companies.
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City Initiatives and Updates |
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Applications now open for businesses to expand outdoors
The City of St. John's is accepting applications from business owners in the downtown and Churchill Square areas who wish to build a seasonal parklet (an outdoor eating area and/or lounge) on City-owned land. Business owners planning to construct a parklet are encouraged to start the application process as soon as possible. This year's operating season will run from May 20th through October 31st. Further details on the application process and applicable fees are available here.
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A call to all Newfoundland and Labrador employers
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has established a mobile office offering in-person support in Poland for Ukrainians seeking temporary safe-haven and permanent settlement in the province. The scope of services delivered by the Ukrainian Family Support Desk include connecting Ukrainians looking for jobs with NL employers. In support of this, the Government of NL is issuing a call to all employers in the province who have job opportunities to contact the support desk at UkrainianFamily@gov.nl.ca
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CNA set to offer first applied degree this fall
Starting this September, the College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) School of Business and Information Technology will build on its existing two-year diploma in Computer Systems and Networking, to give students the option to obtain a specialized applied degree over an additional two years – a first for CNA and among comparable colleges across Canada. The new Bachelor of Applied IT: Systems and Network Cybersecurity degree is designed to meet industry needs, and provide new opportunities in technological education that will support economic growth in the province. Read the full story.
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Transatlantic collaboration announced
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and the Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in applying new marine technologies for remote operations and autonomous vehicles. Both organizations will share best practices and explore collaborative opportunities in applied research and development in ocean technologies; remote operations; educational exchanges for students and staff; and partnerships with industry. Read the full story.
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Noia becomes Energy NL
On March 22nd, NOIA, the association representing Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas industry, officially became Energy NL. The change will enable the association to expand its mandate beyond oil and gas and commit to the broader Newfoundland and Labrador energy sector. More information is available here.
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Newfoundland-based Genoa Design International has partnered on training programs with Memorial University of Newfoundland and College of the North Atlantic for many years. “In fact, it's one of the reasons that Genoa was established in NL, because of the strength of these schools,” says Gina Pecore, CEO of Genoa. Read the full story.
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AltoMaxx Technologies, a high-end provider of unmanned aircraft systems to the oil and gas utilities industries, is now the first drone company in the world able to certify other drone companies in international standards. Read the full story.
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Lynx Air announces major expansion out of the Toronto region, including flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to City of St. John's (YYT). Read the full story.
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WestJet subsidiary Swoop announces non-stop flights from Hamilton (YHM) to City of St. John's (YYT). Read the full story.
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With offices in some of the hottest locations for tech companies worldwide, including London, Lisbon and Philadelphia, Newfoundland was the natural progression for The Virtual Forge's newest office. Read the full story.
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Government of Canada Business Supports |
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Business Benefits Finder
Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, the government of Canada’s Business Benefits Finder can help you find a tailored list of programs and services for your business. From funding to advice, it's everything you need.
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Federal wage subsidies are available to hire students
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is offering a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital wage subsidy program that helps employers by providing wage subsidies for hiring post-secondary students. Funded by the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program, subsidies of up to $7,000 are expected to be available this summer for both full-time and part-time positions, co-op positions, and any other position that provides students the opportunity to practice skills relevant to the digital economy. More information is available here.
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Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The government of Canada has announced the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Workforce Solutions Road Map, which aims to improve the TFWP for both employers and foreign workers. The newly announced changes, some effective immediately and others by April 30, could significantly increase employer flexibility in meeting business needs by lengthening the duration of some work permits, improving worker access to permanent residency, and expanding the number of low-wage positions in certain industries. Read the full announcement.
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Upcoming Courses and Events |
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Questions About Starting a Business? |
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Our knowledgeable staff are here to help
At the City of St. John’s Business Information Centre, our staff can help find the answers you need. Conveniently located at 348 Water Street, we are open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach us at 709-576-8107 or business@stjohns.ca to book an appointment or to arrange a video call. Get in touch. We're here to help.
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What is Advantage St. John's?
With the mandate to market the many advantages of living, working, studying and investing in our city, Advantage St. John’s is expected to amplify economic growth and enhance people and investment attraction opportunities for St. John’s. Targeting a predominantly national and international audience, Advantage St. John’s will bring focus to the broad appeal and positive attributes of our beautiful and historic city. More information is available here.
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Latest Economic Indicators |
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City building permits
as of April 11, 2022
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Commercial permits
Up 147% from $7,964,615 in 2021 to $19,709,188 in 2022
Industrial permits
Valued at $4,000,000 for 2021 and $29,000 for 2022
Government/institutional permits
Down from $779,941 in 2021 to $317,288 in 2022*
Residential permits
Up 100% to $16,256,723 for 2022 over $8,116,397 for 2021
Repair permits
Down -85% from $1,712,210 in 2021 to $249,788 in 2022
Total value of all permits for 2022
Up 62% to $36,561,987 for 2022 over $22,573,164 for 2021
*This data does not include the full range of permit activity undertaken by the provincial government and Memorial University.
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Business approvals
Blackwell Supply Co., 48 Kenmount Road
Strum Engineering, 120 Torbay Road
Momentum Health, 19 Kingsbridge Road
Pop’s Diner, 29 Rowan Street
Liv Better Dog Training, 40 O’Leary Avenue
Lavish Boutique, 60 Hamlyn Road
Mobile care company, 48 Kenmount Road
Interior designer, 203-205 New Gower Street
McKesson Specialty Pharmacy, 10 Austin Street
Thee Hollow Noggin, 357 Main Road
Home-based businesses
Food preparation, 7 Guy Street
Personal training business, 269 Brookfield Road
Total business approvals for 2022 = 34 (regular = 28 and home-based = 6)
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Labour force characteristics as of March 2022
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Labour force – 120,900 (up 6.2%)
Unemployment rate – 7.4% (down -2.1 ppts)
Employment – 111,900 (up 8.6%)
Participation rate – 66.0% (up 3.3 ppts)
St. John's CMA, seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average. Percentage change reflects the same month previous year. Source: Statistics Canada.
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Economic indicators
The New Housing Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 104.7 in February 2022 (up 4.0%*)
The Consumer Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 147.9 in February 2022 (up 4.7%*)
Retail trade for Newfoundland and Labrador was $902 million in January 2022 (up 4.6%*)
*St. John's CMA, same month in the previous year. Source: Statistics Canada
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City of St. John's
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