March 11, 2008

First Notice of New Members:

DownEast Motel – Windsor, www.downeastmotel.com

Yum Foods Limited – Organic Food, Windsor yumfoodslimited@ns.sympatico.ca

New Chamber of Commerce site:
Chester: http://www.chesterns.com


West Hants and Area News

Going out on a table

“Leap and the net will appear”, says Faye Ellsworth, Windsor’s latest home-based entrepreneur. If her name sounds familiar, it might be because she is one half of Famy’s, a local catering business she runs with Amy Hunter. However, food is not the only thing she can arrange on a table. Ellsworth is also trained massage therapist with plenty of experience to set your mind, and muscles, at ease. Tired of the spa ‘assembly line’ of clients, Ellsworth gave up working at some of Metro’s most upscale spas such as the Interlude in Dartmouth and former Key Lime Pie on Dresden Row to work from Windsor. She finds visiting people’s homes much more rewarding. “And so do they – they like that don’t have to go anywhere else, and I just take my table and leave.” The biggest myth she finds in her industry is that this is somehow easy. “Massage therapy is incredibly physically and mentally challenging,” says Ellsworth. “You have to deal wit all kinds of energies and emotions because it’s the stresses that tense up muscles and cause them to get knotted and ache.” Ellsworth has some stresses of her own as she battles customs and importing laws while waiting delivery of a special chair from the U.S. that will allow her to specialize in providing services to seniors and people with disabilities. “My clients will still have access to the best equipment for the therapy they require, and in the most comfortable setting – their home.” Contact: 798-4090 fellsworth@eastlink.ca (Source: Avondale Media).

Assessing FG Project

The Environmental Assessment branch of the Department of Environment & Labour says it received over 70 submissions in response to an application by Fundy Gypsum to open a new mine in Millers Creek near Brooklyn. Spokesperson Jacqueline May says there's no breakdown as to how many are for or against the application for the company to open a third mine it anticipates will be operational for 50 more years. The Avon Peninsula Watershed Preservation Society’s (APWPS) said its submission, which was made on behalf of its 225 members of mostly area residents, was about 100 pages in length. The APWPS states in its response it found many reasons for the Department to easily reject or postpone the project pending a more thorough assessment of environmental risks associated. The risks the group claim include contamination of surface and groundwater due to blasting agents used by the company, river contamination, and blasting within 800 meters of homes which is prohibited by legislated Pits and Quarry guidelines. Department spokesperson May says Environmental Assessment staff are now in the process of preparing a report for Minister Mark Parent, which also includes other government department screenings of the project. Mr. Parent will make his decision by March 17th. May says that decision is usually a yes or no, but the Minister has other options that could prolong the final decision. The company states it has enough gypsum to support the life and employment of its current operation until 2012. (Source: AVR, Avondale Media)


Regional and National Headlines

Saving us from election

Last week, a private-members bill introduced by Liberal MP Dan McTeague found support from all three opposition parties and passed third reading despite opposition by Harper’s minority government. The bill, if made into law, would allow parents to contribute up to $5,000 to an RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) for each child and deduct this amount from their taxes. First, Prime Minister Harper appealed to the Senate to kill the bill – the same Senate which he has in the past pledged to reform, stating the chamber is “an affront to democracy”. The Tories warn the costly idea could push the country's books back into deficit. The RESP program is estimated to cost as much as $2 billion per year - more than the razor-thin surplus projected for next year by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. Now the Conservative minority government says it will use a budget implementation bill, which enables the financial measures created by the budget, to try to quash it before it becomes law. Flaherty dared the Liberals to vote against the budget implementation bill. As a confidence motion, a defeat of the implementation bill would trigger an election even though the budget bill itself has already passed. The RESP bill is the latest in a series of political Olympic games being held in Ottawa. Last week Harper served notice of intent to sue top Liberals over their comments about over the Cadman affair, where the Conservative Party is accused of bribing the late BC MP Chuck Cadman to side with them on a key budget vote when it was trying to force Paul Martin’s hand. It is the first time a sitting prime minister has sued the opposition for libel. Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, the Liberal Party of Canada and MPs Ralph Goodale and Michael Ignatieff were all served letters over statements published on the party's website.

Budget plays it safe

Despite Canada’s strong fiscal position, the recent federal budget indicates Flaherty and Harper are playing it safe given the current weakness in the U.S. economy and consequent risk of a larger slowdown in Canada. Debt reduction remains a priority, and another substantial payment of $10.2 billion bringing total debt reduction in the past three years to $37 billion. The federal budget did include a few interesting surprises. One of the most significant was the creation of a new crown corporation called the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board (CEIFB), to manage the EI account. The CEIFB will be responsible for managing a separate bank account, implementing an improved EI premium rate-setting mechanism by 2009, and maintaining a cash reserve, which will include an initial $2 billion investment by government.

There was little new on the tax front, with the government repeating many of the tax reductions announced in last October’s Economic Statement and previous budgets, such as the GST reduction. One interesting new initiative for individual Canadians is the introduction of a Tax-free Savings Account to encourage more personal savings. On the business side, the government did commit to prolonging the manufacturers and processors accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA), and enhancing the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SRED) tax credit. There were no commitments or plans to reduce personal income taxes in the future.

Among the smaller regulatory measures that may be of particular interest: important changes to the automobile expense deduction will be introduced in 2009. Changes to the administration of the SRED, as well as changes to late remittance for source deductions will also benefit many smaller companies.

Finally, there is some new spending on border infrastructure, which will include a higher security electronic passport by 2011 with a validity period of 10 years, and on immigration to help speed up the processing of applicants. The government will also establish a permanent Gas Tax Fund to Canada’s municipalities – guaranteeing them $2 billion a year by 2009.

Summary of Budget measures relevant in Atlantic Canada:

Industry

• The special accelerated capital cost allowance for investment in machinery and equipment by manufacturers is being extended for a further three years. This will help Atlantic manufacturers seeking to restructure and reinvest in the face of the higher Canadian dollar and other competitive challenges.

• About $22 million is being provided over two years to improve regulatory certainty and to spur research and innovation in Canada’s aquaculture industry.

• Natural Resources Canada is being given $10 million to promote Canada’s forestry industry overseas in regard to environmental sustainability.

• The Mineral Exploration Tax Credit is being extended for a further year, which should help sustain the rapid increase in mineral exploration in the Atlantic region.

Innovation

• The R&D spending limits for the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive are being increased from $2 million to $3 million, which will help small Atlantic companies such as those in the region’s fledgling bioscience sector. Perhaps more importantly, there is a commitment of $10 million annually to facilitate access to the program and improve its consistency and predictability.

• Genome Canada will receive an extra $140 million in 2007-08, part of which will help sustain regional genome centres, including Genome Atlantic.

• The three granting councils will receive $80 million per year, including $34 million for NSERC focused on the automotive, manufacturing, forestry and fishing industries.

Infrastructure and transportation

• The Gas Tax Fund, which provides municipalities with funding for public transit, water and wastewater infrastructure, will become a permanent $2 billion per year fund beyond 2013-14. In Atlantic Canada, municipalities will receive $76 million in 2008-09, rising to $152 million for 2010-11 and beyond.

• A $500 million trust fund will be set up, to be allocated on a per capita basis, for public transit infrastructure, implying about $35 million for Atlantic Canada.

• Marine Atlantic, which provides the ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, will receive $17 million over two years to secure a new vessel.

Border security

• The Canada Border Services Agency is being given additional resources ($75 million over two years) to help manage the border along with an expansion to the NEXUS program for low-risk frequent travellers between Canada and the Untied States and other measures to improve border efficiency. Border delays, inconsistencies and higher costs to meet new security standards have been identified by Atlantic businesses as significant obstacles to trade with the United States.

Education

• A new Canada Student Grant Program is being launched, effective fall 2009. It is designed to be simple, transparent and broad-based, with the intent of increasing participation and completion rates, particularly among under-represented groups. The program is expected to reach about 245,000 college and undergraduate students in the first year, about 19% of current enrolment. In Atlantic Canada, there are close to 100,000 college and undergraduate students. Other changes include modernizing the Canada Student Loans Program, new graduate scholarships and new research chairs.

Labour market participation

• The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is being extended to 2012 at a cost of $90 million. The program is designed to help unemployed older workers remain active participants in the labour market. Many older workers in Atlantic Canada have been displaced following plant closures throughout the region.

• The earned income exemption under the Guaranteed Income Supplement is being increased from $500 to $3500, to remove disincentives for low-income seniors to work.

Employment insurance

• The employment insurance (EI) account will be managed by a new, independent Crown corporation, with any surpluses being retained in the EI program rather than going into general revenues. A new rate-setting mechanism, to begin in 2009, will set rates to ensure that revenues match expenses over time.
   

The environment

• The government is providing an additional $300 million to AECL in 2008-09 for its operations, including the development of its next generation nuclear power reactor, the Advanced CANDU Reactor. This may support New Brunswick’s development of a second nuclear power plant, if the business case and feasibility studies are positive.

• The federal government is providing $5 million in 2007-08 to support geological research examining the potential for carbon storage in Nova Scotia.

(Sources: CFIB, APEC)


Cleaner Heat

The Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Oil Heat Association has launched a new cleaner-heat campaign in a number of media, including television, direct mail and online at http://www.cleanerheat.ca. "We want people to understand that oil heat has evolved to meet modern needs," said Dave Graham, president of the association’s Nova Scotia chapter. "Today, it is one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient means of heating your home, and by following the simple tips and advice we’re offering through this campaign, you can see some significant savings."

Don’t Dial and Drive
Nova Scotia RCMP is telling motorists to consider putting down their cell phones now, so they're prepared for the ban that comes into force in several weeks. The new law banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving was passed by the province last December and takes effect on April 1. Drivers who violate the new legislation will face a $164.50 fine for a first offence. The penalty rises to $222 for a second violation and $337 for any subsequent offences. (Source: The Canadian Press)

March is Fraud Prevention Month

During the month of March, Fraud Prevention Forum members raise awareness of the dangers of fraud, while educating the public on how to "Recognize it. Report it. and Stop it." The Forum, which is chaired by the Competition Bureau, is a concerned group of private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, and government and law enforcement agencies committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses. http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

PhoneBusters

To report incidence of telemarketing fraud, advanced fee fraud and identity theft, call PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501
 

RCMP - RECOL
To report incidence of fraud online, go to Reporting Economic Crime Online www.recol.ca

Business Events List:

March 13, 2008 - Bidding to Win - Effective Expressions of Interest
World Trade Centre, Halifax EduNova and the International Project Resource Centre, along with its partners in the Nova Scotia IFI Group invite you to a half-day interactive workshop on the anatomy of an EOI and the critical factors related to preparing a winning Expression of Interest. Guest Speaker is Hugh Wilkinson, Coral Hill LLC.Participants will be invited to submit a previously completed EOI in advance of the workshop in order to participate in one-on-one sessions on the afternoon of March 13th where they will receive feedback and suggestions in order to further improve their skills and strategies in preparing EOIs. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Morning Workshop: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Afternoon: One-on-one EOI Dissection for Companies For additional information: Amber Germain 902-424-8178 amber@edunova.ca

March 21 – Good Friday

March 24 – Easter Monday
 

March 25-26: Growing Opportunities Conference
Presented by Sean Wise, former producer of CBC's Dragons' Den. The conference, which will address challenges producers face selling goods in the local market, will include a mix of local entrepreneurs and individuals from across North America to help producers and processors look at ways to increase the supply of local goods to keep up with consumer demand. Cost is $125, Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth. Information and registration: www.gov.ns.ca/agri/bde.
 

March 26th - Exploring Your Entrepreneurial Potential Workshop
Ladies, are you contemplating starting your own business? Discover if you’ve got what it takes to be in business. You will leave the session with a better understanding of your potential as an entrepreneur by learning self-assessment techniques. You’ll also learn about resources to help you get started in business. Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. The Meadows - Main floor, Mount Saint Vincent University, Centre for Women in Business. Cost: $20 + HST for CWB members, $25 + HST for non-members. Email: cwb@msvu.ca or phone: 902-457-6449 or toll-free outside Metro: 1-888-776-9022

March 26th - The Honourable Peter G. MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of National Defence, and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) on the significance of the Atlantic Gateway. Please join us to learn more about the Atlantic road to prosperity at the Marriott Halifax Harbourfront Hotel 5:30 - 10:00 pm. This event presented by the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada – Atlantic Chapter (AmCham Atlantic) and other Industry Partners: Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Gateway Council and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Tickets $100 - $125 plus HST For more details contact 446-8162 or visit http://www.amchamcanada.ca/atlantic

March 27th Hiring for Success
Bluteau DeVenney & Company presents a seminar discussing how to hire the right people, attract and retain top talent in your organization on Thursday, March 27 from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 656 Windmill Road. Free to Chamber members, registration is required. Contact Craig Stevens at Bluteau Devenney to RSVP or receive further information: craig@bluteaudevenney.com, phone 425-0467.

Chuckles:

What's the difference between a counterfeit dollar bill and a crazy rabbit?
One is bad money, the other is a mad bunny!


E-News info:

E-News Deadline - Our next issue of WHCC E-News will be published on March 26th. You are invited to submit your business news, event or announcement by March 20th.