Optimism and Uncertainty:
Atlantic Canada’s Business Insights for 2023
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ACC has released the second annual Atlantic Insights Report on February 23, 23 detailing the perceptions of members from across all four provinces of current conditions in the region. Not surprisingly, challenges with labour recruitment and retention and the rising cost of doing business continue to cause great concern and increase organizational risk.
Click here to read our commentary on the findings in the report.
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Focus on Support: ACC Annual Policy Priorities for Business
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On March 2, 2023, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) announced the top three policy priorities for Atlantic Canadian business to ensure growth and stability in 2023. The priorities were identified through the 2023 Atlantic Insights survey, where members gave ACC direct feedback about the issues of greatest importance for their organization.
ACC’s 2023 Policy Priorities are:
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Support for SMEs – We need government to work together with business to ensure SMEs have the support they need to succeed
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Access to Qualified Workers – We need to enhance skills development, meet immigration targets, and increase the supply of housing is critical to resolving labour issues in Atlantic Canada.
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Cost of Doing Business – We need government to actively focus on reducing the burden on the private sector and lower the cost of doing business.
Atlantic Canada has shown resilience and determination through some of the toughest years for businesses in nearly a century. It is now time to manage growth and create prosperity.
Click here to view the 2023 Policy Priorities and more about our recommendations.
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It’s Budget Season: Here’s the 2023 Budget Round-up
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Provincial and Federal Budgets have now been released with different programs and measures announced. ACC has provided commentary and analysis on the following budgets:
New Brunswick: The Government of New Brunswick presented a budget that features a reduction in personal income tax that will provide an estimated $70 million in tax relief. Government has also taken steps to address concerns about rising crime rates by making investments to enhance safety within communities. Despite this positive development, ACC remains concerned about the lack of meaningful support for businesses and improvement of the labour market in the budget.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Priority investments for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador included housing, healthcare, and workforce development. ACC commends the government's attention to these crucial sectors, but also highlights the absence of any new initiatives aimed at decreasing the cost of doing business.
Nova Scotia: ACC has expressed its approval of the government funds towards improving healthcare accessibility and ensuring the availability of affordable housing. ACC believes that these actions demonstrate a commitment to addressing critical issues that are important to local businesses and Nova Scotians. But it is also important that government support efforts to contain the cost of doing business and focus on attracting and developing a workforce to power the province’s future.
Canada: The Government of Canada invested significantly in the nation’s labour market through training and skills development, but fell short on providing much needed support and relief for business. ACC also remains concerned about the growing national debt and the future consequences that may have.
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Collaborating for Safety and Environmental Sustainability:
A Continuous Improvement Plan for 2023-2025
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Offshore operators in Newfoundland and Labrador have been prioritizing safety and environmental sustainability in their work within the region's oil and gas industry. Alongside their individual initiatives, these operators have established a shared goal of making the Atlantic Canada offshore the world's leading jurisdiction in terms of safety and environmental responsibility for oil and gas production.
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce Sends Letter to Deputy Prime Minister Regarding Digital Services Tax
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The Government of Canada’s plan to implement a unilateral Digital Services Tax (DST) could harm Canadian businesses and damage the US-Canada trading relationship. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is urging the government to drop the retroactive application of the tax and support the implementation of the G20/OECD two-pillar plan.
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Prince Edward Island Provincial Election
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In the P.E.I. provincial election, the Progressive Conservatives secured an electoral victory by winning 22 seats, leading to Dennis King's re-election for a second term as premier of Prince Edward Island. ACC congratulates Premier King and will be sending a letter outlining the priorities of businesses to the government in the coming days.
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Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Launches Blog
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ACC continues to expand upon policy and advocacy thought leadership through the creation of a new blog that will feature our thoughts on emerging issues as they happen One of the largest emerging issues, covered in our first blog post, is The Looming Debt Crisis & the Cost of Government. In this feature, we address fiscal responsibility and the need for restraint.
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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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Events and Notices From Our Partners
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Indigenous Inclusion Thought Leadership Series |13:00 EST | March 30, 2023 | Interpreting Latest Census Data and Indigenous Workplace Planning | Register
2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit | May 1-4, 2023 | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center | National Harbor, MD | Register
Women in Business Summit | June 14, 2023 (Virtual) | Restarting, Reimagining, Accelerating and Recuperating: Women in the Post-pandemic Era | Canadian Chamber of Commerce | More information
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The Responsible Seafood Summit
The Responsible Seafood Summit has been held in 18 cities on four continents (Asia, Europe, North America and South America) since its inaugural event in 2001.
This international event will bring 500+ seafood industry leaders from around the world to Saint John, New Brunswick - only the second time this conference has been held in Canada.
Open to all in seafood - aquaculture and fisheries! Farming, fishing, R&D, processing, science/tech/academic, conservation, sustainability and more!
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Canadian International Trade Tribunal Opportunity
Temporary and Permanent Member
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (the Tribunal) is an independent quasi-judicial adjudicative body reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. The Tribunal plays a central role in administering some of the important international and Canadian rules that govern trade. Members of the Tribunal are responsible for adjudicating on matters before the Tribunal, including hearing and presiding over proceedings of the Tribunal.
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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 MacKenzie Tool & Die, NS
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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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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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Connections | Participate in the events happening at Chambers in Atlantic Canada. Visit our region’s event calendar.
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