The following is an excerpt of a letter from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to its members regarding EI. To view the full letter click here.
Dear member,
As the biggest and most important businesses constituency in the country, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its network across the country issued a resounding call to action in the wake of proposed changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program, and plans to increase EI premiums by the maximum allowed under federal legislation. Our voice was heard loudly.
Last night, members of Parliament defeated Bill C-308 — a bill that would have added over $2 billion to the costs of the EI Program, increased work disincentives, hindered labour force mobility and constrained job creation.
Today, the government announced it will be scaling back planned increases in EI premiums. For 2011, EI premiums will rise 5 cents per $100 in insurable earning for employees and 7 cents for employers instead of the maximum 15 cents and 21 cents, respectively. For 2012, premiums will be increased by 10 cents per $100 in insurable earnings for employees and 14 cents for employers instead of the maximum amount.
“As a result of this decision, Canada’s businesses will save over $640 million in 2011 and $320 million in 2012. A business with 100 employees will save as much as $6,100 next year and $3,100 in 2012. This is the right thing to do at the right time,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “The Canadian economy went into reverse in July, the first monthly decline in 11 months. Additionally, the breadth of negative indicators indicates ebbing economic momentum going forward. The jobless rate will be hard pressed to break below 8 percent on a sustained basis for some time,” concluded Beatty.... (continue)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
SAINT JOHN AIRPORT ADDS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Colleen Mitchell joins management team at YSJ
The Saint John Airport now has a dedicated position for community involvement and raising the profile within the Greater Saint John and surrounding areas. Colleen Mitchell, long-time community supporter, has accepted the challenge.
The Saint John Airport has identified four key priorities, one of which is to drive community engagement. Colleen has an excellent track record, and a long history of bringing groups together to achieve a common goal, stated Bernard LeBlanc, President and CEO at the Airport.
Mrs. Mitchell’s business experience includes various positions at Irving Oil, The Saint John Port Authority, and most recently at ADI Group Inc., an engineering-technology firm, named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed.
In addition to her business experience, Colleen has served on volunteer boards including Vice-Chair of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Past-president of the YMCA-YWCA, Board member of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation, and has sat on fundraising committees for numerous charities. In addition, over the years she has served on various committees and task forces for the Saint John Board of Trade and Enterprise Saint John, among others.
The opportunity to engage the community and increase the passenger experience was too good to pass up, stated Mrs. Mitchell. I have traveled all over the world and realize we are fortunate to have our own local airport just minutes from the city core. I look forward to partnering with our stakeholders and making our airport the best it can be.
Saint John Airport Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation serving air travel needs of southwestern New Brunswick, and is a key element in the economic and social development of this region.
The Saint John Airport now has a dedicated position for community involvement and raising the profile within the Greater Saint John and surrounding areas. Colleen Mitchell, long-time community supporter, has accepted the challenge.
The Saint John Airport has identified four key priorities, one of which is to drive community engagement. Colleen has an excellent track record, and a long history of bringing groups together to achieve a common goal, stated Bernard LeBlanc, President and CEO at the Airport.
Mrs. Mitchell’s business experience includes various positions at Irving Oil, The Saint John Port Authority, and most recently at ADI Group Inc., an engineering-technology firm, named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed.
In addition to her business experience, Colleen has served on volunteer boards including Vice-Chair of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Past-president of the YMCA-YWCA, Board member of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation, and has sat on fundraising committees for numerous charities. In addition, over the years she has served on various committees and task forces for the Saint John Board of Trade and Enterprise Saint John, among others.
The opportunity to engage the community and increase the passenger experience was too good to pass up, stated Mrs. Mitchell. I have traveled all over the world and realize we are fortunate to have our own local airport just minutes from the city core. I look forward to partnering with our stakeholders and making our airport the best it can be.
Saint John Airport Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation serving air travel needs of southwestern New Brunswick, and is a key element in the economic and social development of this region.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Saint John Airport adds free power, USB connections to free Wi-Fi currently in place
New, innovative offering now available in Terminal Building
People using the Saint John Airport now have the ability to connect their electronic devices (computers, phones, games, etc.) in all waiting areas of the airport – for free. This new value-added service includes free power for charging electronic devices as well. Free WI-FI was made available airport-wide in 2009.
Passengers in all waiting areas, including at the gate, can now plug in electronic devices using their power cords or USB connections. In addition, individuals awaiting the arrival of aircraft can also connect in the arrivals area. This is a new service, free of charge to all people in the terminal building.
"The Saint John Airport remains committed to improving the passenger experience. Acknowledging that passengers must arrive well in advance of departure times, we are implementing services to help people utilize that time. Not having to worry about Internet fees and battery consumption is just one way of helping our customers," commented Bernard LeBlanc, President and CEO at the Airport.
This move is an initiative to increase the productivity of passengers waiting for flights to depart, as well as those individuals greeting passengers. In addition, entertainment devices, such as games, can be connected.
"We have taken the lead by offering USB and power connections to both passengers and greeters. Now the down-time associated with waiting for departures and arrivals can be used either for work or pleasure without having to worry about battery consumption," stated Mr. LeBlanc. "We enabled free connection to the Internet last year and that initiative was well received. This is yet another addition to the value-added services provided here, and adds to the growing list of benefits of flying through the Saint John Airport."
To view the original media release click here.
People using the Saint John Airport now have the ability to connect their electronic devices (computers, phones, games, etc.) in all waiting areas of the airport – for free. This new value-added service includes free power for charging electronic devices as well. Free WI-FI was made available airport-wide in 2009.
Passengers in all waiting areas, including at the gate, can now plug in electronic devices using their power cords or USB connections. In addition, individuals awaiting the arrival of aircraft can also connect in the arrivals area. This is a new service, free of charge to all people in the terminal building.
"The Saint John Airport remains committed to improving the passenger experience. Acknowledging that passengers must arrive well in advance of departure times, we are implementing services to help people utilize that time. Not having to worry about Internet fees and battery consumption is just one way of helping our customers," commented Bernard LeBlanc, President and CEO at the Airport.
This move is an initiative to increase the productivity of passengers waiting for flights to depart, as well as those individuals greeting passengers. In addition, entertainment devices, such as games, can be connected.
"We have taken the lead by offering USB and power connections to both passengers and greeters. Now the down-time associated with waiting for departures and arrivals can be used either for work or pleasure without having to worry about battery consumption," stated Mr. LeBlanc. "We enabled free connection to the Internet last year and that initiative was well received. This is yet another addition to the value-added services provided here, and adds to the growing list of benefits of flying through the Saint John Airport."
To view the original media release click here.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Truck weight exemption could be permanent
The U.S. federal government is looking to make permanent a pilot project that exempted Maine highways from a federal truck weight limit.
The provision would allow trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds to travel on I-95 between Augusta and Houlton, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who requested the measure. A federal limit of 80,000 pounds had been forcing trucks off I-95 in Augusta onto secondary roads. Last year, Collins worked to pass a one-year temporary exemption, set to expire Dec. 17. President Obama has included a permanent provision in the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution, an appropriations bill that funds federal programs past Oct. 1, according to the release. Congress must still approve the resolution before the current one expires on Sept. 30.
The Federal Highway Administration is assessing the pilot program's impact on safety and road wear and tear.
To view original article from MaineBiz click here.
The provision would allow trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds to travel on I-95 between Augusta and Houlton, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who requested the measure. A federal limit of 80,000 pounds had been forcing trucks off I-95 in Augusta onto secondary roads. Last year, Collins worked to pass a one-year temporary exemption, set to expire Dec. 17. President Obama has included a permanent provision in the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution, an appropriations bill that funds federal programs past Oct. 1, according to the release. Congress must still approve the resolution before the current one expires on Sept. 30.
The Federal Highway Administration is assessing the pilot program's impact on safety and road wear and tear.
To view original article from MaineBiz click here.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Board of Trade Candidates' Survey Results
The New Brunswick 2010 Provincial Election is well underway with Election Day (September 27th) rapidly approaching. In an effort to provide our members with their candidates’ views and policies on issues of interest to business, the Saint John Board of Trade’s Government Affairs Committee devised a survey for the Candidates in the Saint John area.
The survey, composed of 15 questions, was sent to candidates after the writ was dropped on August 27th. The deadline for the survey was 5:00pm Friday, September 10th. Candidates were informed that only the first 100 words of their responses would be used and the responses would be shared with the Saint John Board of Trade’s members and the media. The responses to the survey can be viewed online and have been arranged in the order they were received.
In addition to the survey, the Government Affairs Committee has arranged opportunities for members to Meet the Leaders. For more information on the remaining events please click here.
The survey, composed of 15 questions, was sent to candidates after the writ was dropped on August 27th. The deadline for the survey was 5:00pm Friday, September 10th. Candidates were informed that only the first 100 words of their responses would be used and the responses would be shared with the Saint John Board of Trade’s members and the media. The responses to the survey can be viewed online and have been arranged in the order they were received.
In addition to the survey, the Government Affairs Committee has arranged opportunities for members to Meet the Leaders. For more information on the remaining events please click here.
Two departments of transportation recognized
The departments of transportation for both New Brunswick and Maine were co-recipients of the Partnerships Award recently at the second annual Atlantica Champions of Excellence Award ceremony.
The award is given to two or more organizations or companies that have worked together to increase cross-border business activity and develop opportunities.
The ceremony was organized by the private sector: the Bangor Region Development Alliance, Maine Ahead and Bangor Metro magazines.“Over the past several years, these two partners have worked co-operatively across the border and within their own government organizations,” said Imelda Gilman, president of the Saint John Board of Trade, who helped make the presentation. “The departments of transportation in New Brunswick and Maine have been visible champions of cross-border economic development efforts.”
To view the full news release click here.
The award is given to two or more organizations or companies that have worked together to increase cross-border business activity and develop opportunities.
The ceremony was organized by the private sector: the Bangor Region Development Alliance, Maine Ahead and Bangor Metro magazines.“Over the past several years, these two partners have worked co-operatively across the border and within their own government organizations,” said Imelda Gilman, president of the Saint John Board of Trade, who helped make the presentation. “The departments of transportation in New Brunswick and Maine have been visible champions of cross-border economic development efforts.”
To view the full news release click here.
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