June 2023
Dear Members,
Summer is on its way and I am sure we are all looking forward to warmer weather, vacation, beaches, and fun! I hope to drop by and see many of you throughout the summer.
Last week, I attended the 2023 Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Conference at the Rodd Charlottetown, with two days of professional development, networking, and policy debates with chambers across the Atlantic region. It is always a pleasure meeting up with other fellow chambers and sharing information. We always have a great time and it is such an educational conference. Thank you to all the Atlantic Chamber Team.
What we are working on!
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On May 26, our Chamber sent out our annual membership survey to 252 members to gauge how we are doing. To date, we have 20 surveys completed. It is my understanding that people are having trouble with the drop-down menus. First, put them in chronological order from 1-7 or 1-10. The survey has been extended until June 14. I have included a PDF form for anyone that would like to print and email it back. Your input is very much appreciated. Thank you! Annual Membership Survey PDF
- Save the date: September 8th is our 7th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser, you can register a team now!
- Women in Business Retreat for September 22,23 pending sponsorship in partnership with PEI Business Women's Association, Kensington, and Summerside Chambers of Commerce.
- The Chamber Perks App will help business members by providing them with a marketing tool to use to offer perks and discounts locally and to grow their network by showcasing their perks to other participating chambers across Canada.
Sincerely Yours,
Tammy Rix
Chief Executive Officer
Have you had a chance to review our new membership fee tier? Find out how you can become a Connector or Influencer.
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7th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser
Save the date: September 8th, 2023
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Sign up for a fun afternoon at St. Felix Golf Course followed by a meal and lots of prizes. If you are unable to participate, perhaps you would consider being a hole sponsor and/or donating a door prize. Please find the registration form online on our website.
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Municipal Approaches to Housing Supply & Affordability Workshop |
Please register in advance for this session, which starts at 6-8 PM,
Contact Tracy@developwestprince.ca
a. Discussion 1 – Program Solutions (grants, rebates, own subdivisions, own
housing)
b. Discussion 2 – Regulatory Solutions (this is largely relevant for those who have
municipal planning)
c. Discussion 3 – Partnership Solutions (private sector, community organizations,
inter-municipal)
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Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Course |
Open enrollment training course for Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Wednesday, June 14 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at The Construction Association of PEI put on by our 3M certified instructor.
$155 per student plus tax
Call 902 807 0621 to register!
We provide standby rescue, equipment sales/rentals, training, industrial supplies, and more.
Stewart Safety Service may be a new name in the safety industry, but we are backed with over 40 years of experience. Our team is made up of firefighters and safety-minded individuals who want to put their best foot forward to help our clients.
From hard hats and safety harnesses to toilet paper and hand soap or even bandsaw blades our industrial supplies team is always working hard to ensure you have the supplies you need to operate your business. If we do not have it in our catalogue we will do our very best to find it for you!
Contact Zach Stewart today
at 902-807- 0621 or email him at
zach@stewartsafetyservice.ca
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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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Liv'n Soils
Contact: Olivia Doran
697 Howlan Road, O'Leary
902-888-5765
Liv'n Soils is a flower farm located in Howlan, PEI; offering fresh, locally grown, and spray-free blooms, all summer long. As well as dried floral crafts and products. You can find Olivia on Social Media @livinsoils, or on her website where she offers a selection of products and easy sign-up to our Flower Subscription program. Click here to visit her Facebook Page.
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Rayner Construction Ltd.
Contact: Bruce Rayner
211 Chees Factory Road
Alberton, PE
902-960-1009
Rayner Construction Ltd. company is owned and operated by Bruce Rayner - General Contractor offers an array of expertise and services to suit any of your Projects and Construction requirements.
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Whispering Hope Farm
Contact: Kayla MacIntyre
347 Ellerslie Road,
Ellerslie
Email:whispering.hope.farm@outlook.com
Phone: 902-303-3491
Petting Farm, Summer Camps, After School Program, and Travelling Farm.
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Noye and Noye Limited
Contact: Adam
Tyne Valley
Email:hutch.noyeandnoye@hotmail.com
Phone: 902-831-2541
Noye and Noye Limited was established in 1979. We are one of the largest contractors in Prince Edward Island specializing in Bridge and Wharf construction. We are a fourth-generation family-owned business with 40 years of experience in providing quality construction services.
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Membership Resources, Programs & Group Travel |
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Calculate your costs and differentiate your business
8-minute read on the link above
Are your sales volumes growing, but you can’t seem to turn a profit? Or maybe you’ve got a great product but sales just aren’t picking up? It could be you have a problem with your pricing strategy.
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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 referrals. You can also create new business contacts and leads to customers.
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The Bideford Parsonage Museum has been fortunate to receive funding for three summer students for the upcoming season, however, they have been unsuccessful in recruitment efforts. They are seeking help in getting the word out and sharing with those students who might still be looking for summer employment.
The positions will be 8-10 weeks in duration, 40 hours/week and given the funding agency requirements, they are looking for students between 15-29 years; wages $14.50-$16/hr. Weekend work required.
Thanks so much all!!
Janet Ogilvie, volunteer board member.
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Discover Ireland is the perfect tour for visitors hoping to explore the beautiful
Emerald Isle from one location. Fly out of Halifax and enjoy an 8-day tour that encompasses some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery and will give visitors a true flavour of this vibrant and historic country.
Travel date April 11th, 2024!
Early Bird discount if booked before July 31st!
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Government Programs and Updates |
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Minimum wage to increase twice in 2023
Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will reach $15 per hour by the end of next year.
The first increase will be by 80 cents on January 1, 2023, to $14.50 per hour. The second increase will be 50 cents on October 1, 2023, to $15.00 per hour.
The Employment Standards Board reviews the minimum wage annually and provides its recommendation to the government after the review is complete.
Employment Standards Board accepting feedback on minimum wage annual review
Island residents are invited to provide their input on minimum wage.
Residents can send their feedback by email or by fax (902-368-5476) by June 15, 2023.
Written submissions can also be mailed to:
Hazel Walsh-Scott
Employment Standards Board
PO Box 2000, 161 St Peters Road
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Every year, the Employment Standards Board reviews minimum wage in Prince Edward Island, and provides their recommendations to the Province upon its completed review.
Learn more about the ESB and PEI’s minimum wage here.
The PEI Budget 2023
On May 25, Finance Minister Jill Burridge tabled the 2023-24 provincial operating budget. The budget included investments in key areas such as Our Health; Our Homes; Affordability; Our Future; Our People; Our Communities. The budget is set to post a deficit of approximately $97.6 million, with the province increasing spending in health and education for the year.
The PEI Budget 2023 also introduces a 5-bracket income tax system starting in 2024. The indexed personal tax brackets and their respective marginal tax rates for 2024 are:
- 9.65% for income up to $32,656
- 13.63% for income between $32,656 to $64,313
- 16.65% for income between $64,313 to $105,000
- 18% for income between $105,000 to $140,000 :
- 18.75% for income over $140,000
Click here to view the 2023-24 provincial operating budget.
Bank of Canada Rate
On June 7, the Bank of Canada announced it is raising its benchmark interest rate to 4.75%. This is the first time that the central bank has raised its interest rate since January when the bank signaled it would conditionally pause its rate hikes to see if it had done enough to cool inflation. This rise also brings the policy rate to the highest it’s been since April 2001. The bank stated that while Consumer Price inflation is coming down, underlying inflation remains “stubbornly high”.
Clean Fuel Regulations & Carbon Tax
The four Atlantic Premiers are asking the federal government to delay implementation of the federal Clean Fuel Regulations until a plan can be developed “to address the disproportionate impact of the regulations on Atlantic Canadians”. The four Premiers met virtually with the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change on May 25 to discuss these issues. Both the Clean Fuel Regulations and the carbon tax increase are scheduled to come into effect on July 1.
Gross domestic product, income, and expenditure, first quarter 2023
Canada’s economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.1% in Q1 2023, according to Statistics Canada, exceeding analysts’ expectations and the Bank of Canada’s projections of 2.5%.
Funding Opportunities
Tourism Seasonal Extension Program
Funding to help tourism operators extend their season. Grants range from $2500 to $50 000. See more details here.
Canada Digital Adoption Program
Grants and access to advice to increase online sales, reduce costs, better manage inventory and more. See more details here.
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Business Assistance Service, standard with Chambers Plan employee benefits. Access to professional accounting, counseling, legal, and human resource experts who understand the challenges faced by small business owners.
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Are you looking for real-time data and insights for real-time data and insights for companies of all sizes, sectors, and regions of the country? The Business Data Lab (BDL) provides future-focused data from a variety of sources to track evolving market conditions, providing Canadian businesses with critical information to help them make better decisions and improve their performance.
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Member Employee Spotlight
Forestview Meadow
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Congratulations and best wishes on one year in business! May your business prosper in the years to come!
Maureen Sweet of Forestview Meadow enjoys life on a small farm. She has 3 horses, 4 pot-belly pigs, 2 rabbits, lots of chickens, 3 dogs, and a cat. Her passion and love for what she does on the equine-assisted farm was certainly seen on the day we visited her.
Forestview Meadow has always been a dream of Maureen's, especially growing up on a farm down the road with her parents John & Margaret Sweet in Knutsford, PEI. Maureen has been drawn to horses from a very young age, and she has always felt a connection with animals. This connection is how Maureen started her business idea. How humans connect to animals can provide growth, learning, and healing.
In 2007 Maureen had the privilege of listening to Dr. Temple Grandin speak about her journey with autism and how she fundamentally changed the way to handle livestock.
Forestview Meadow has been a lifelong journey and is now a reality. Maureen is honored to offer the experience of growth, learning, and healing with animals.
If you have a desire for:
Peace and calm
Being around animals
learning about horses,
Space is limited!
Make sure you do not miss out on this unique experience.
This is a section in the newsletter where employers can recognize one of their employees! Please send a brief write-up and picture to admin@westprincechamber.com
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Advertising Opportunities |
The West Prince Chamber of Commerce offers a number of advertising opportunities to help promote your business within the West Prince Area. From E-Blasts to Web Banners, our advertising opportunities will get your organization in front of the local business community.
For more information on available options, visit our website HERE or email us today.
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Trusted, Engaged, Responsive, and in your Community! Refer a local business to join today!
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