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September 18, 2007
Chamber News
The Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce’s next board
meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 10th at the
Marigold Cultural Centre Boardroom, 605 Prince Street,
Truro. The meeting runs from 11am until 2 pm. Guest
Speakers are Kelly Evans and another member from the NS
Department of Health Promotion's Strategy Team to
explain how the province's new healthy workplace
strategy will reduce employee absenteeism. Tel: (902)
895-6329
http://www.nschamber.ca
Promotion Opportunity
The next time you have post a flyer for your business or
non-profit organization at PharmaSave or at your local
Post Office, or have a special business announcement to
make, please also email it to
info@whcc.ca or
fax it to 757-1969. By getting it included in the West
Hants Chamber of Commerce E-News free of charge ensures
you’re getting it in the inboxes of people want to know.
Every two weeks, E-News is distributed to - and read by
- over 200 local business contacts throughout the
Windsor-West Hants area. If your business has news or
events you would like to share with our readers but
can’t find the words, please call our Newsletter Editor,
Heather Desveaux on 790-4009. E-News is also a great way
to create awareness of any challenges business owners
are faced with locally. If your business has concerns or
issues that you feel need a voice in the business
community, please contact us.
West Hants
and Area News
New Scotiabank Manager
Scotiabank Windsor and the West Hants Chamber of
Commerce bids farewell to long time branch manager Steve
Groves, who has worked and lived in the Windsor area
since 1999. Groves quickly became an active member of
the community, and his achievements include 2006/2007
President of the Rotary Club of Windsor, Treasurer of
the West Hants Minor Hockey Association, International
Hockey Heritage Centre Board, a former Director of the
West Hants Chamber of Commerce, and a number of other
organizations. Steve has assumed a position as General
Manager of Scotiabank's Atlantic Centralized Accounting
Unit covering the Atlantic Provinces, and will be
working from Halifax. New manager, Wendy Allen, who is
well known to the local business community, is a former
branch manager in Hantsport. Wendy, who brings over 25
years banking experience and is a Personal Financial
Planner currently living in Hants County, is thrilled
with her new role. Best wishes are extended to both
Steve and Wendy.
John Gracie to Perform at Kings-Edgehill
Multiple award-winning singer/songwriter, John Gracie
will continue off his autumn touring with a concert at
the Fountain Performing Arts Centre in Kings-Edgehill in
Windsor on Saturday, September 22nd. Just back from
Florida, John will be bringing his audience a concert of
newly written songs as well as a look back at not only
some of his treasured originals but also, some of his
personal favourites from the past few decades. John
Gracie is set to release his 10th CD, “Then
Again-“recollection later this fall. “I’m looking
forward to our concert at Kings-Edgehill, I always feel
so welcome in Windsor and it has been a long time since
we have played there,” Gracie commented, “This audience
will get a sneak preview of the material for my next CD.
This will be one of our last performances before we head
into rehearsal for our Christmas tour so we hope to make
it a fun one!” For concert tickets and details, contact
Mrs. Janet Naugler, 798-2278 ext. 3593 or email
janet@kes.ns.ca.
Windsor-West Hants Pumpkin Festival
October is fast-approaching, and you know what that
means: it’s the time of year we pay homage to that big
orange gourd on the ground, the pumpkin. In Windsor-West
Hants and throughout the Annapolis Valley—a month of
food, fun and family events are scheduled to celebrate
the harvest. Each community is serving up a unique blend
of fun and food for you to experience during Pumpkin
Fest 2007. The guide to discover the many events and
tastes along the pumpkin-peel path is available online
here:
http://www.valleypumpkinfest.ca.
Windsor-West Hants events exclusively here:
http://www.worldsbiggestpumpkins.com
Provincial
& Regional Issues
Sunday
bank services
CIBC will launch full-service Sunday banking in select
Vancouver and Toronto branches later this fall where
Sunday business is strong, the bank announced Monday. It
is believed to be the only Canadian financial
institution to offer seven-day personal service for a
complete range of sales, advice and transactional
services, although some banks offer limited personal
service through branches in supermarkets on Sundays.
CIBC vice-president Stephen Forbes Forbes said the bank
will then see how it goes and consider expanding into
other markets where there is strong client demand.
U.S. Commercial Services to close
The NS Business Journal reported last week that U.S.
Foreign Commercial Services Office – the trade promotion
unit of the American International Trade Administration
- will close in Halifax by the end of September. Local
Halifax business sources received a letter earlier this
month outlining the closure but the notice did not give
a specific date. Reasons for the Halifax closure are
unknown at this time, although the US Department of
Commerce had announced plans to close offices in
‘developing’ countries last March. The next closest
office will be Montreal. Market research, trade events
and export information will still be available on
www.export.gov.
Province will increase
film industry tax credit
The choice of Windsor and other rural Nova Scotia areas
as a future film location recently received a boost.
Premier Rodney MacDonald announced late Thursday that
the government of Nova Scotia will increase the Film Tax
Credit in an effort to make the province's film industry
the most competitive in Canada. The tax credit for
filming in Halifax will be at 50%, up from 35%. For
films shot in rural Nova Scotia, the credit will be 60%
(an addition of 5% from the existing rate). Also, a
company will receive an additional 5% should it film
three films in two years. This means there is potential
to receive a film tax credit up to 65%, if shot in rural
Nova Scotia. Tax credits are the most popular form of
incentive for the film industry and are used in other
Canadian provinces, the U.S.A., the U.K., Europe and
Australia. Nova Scotia was one of the first Canadian
provinces to introduce a film tax credit in 1995 and now
other provinces, such as Manitoba, are stepping up to
the plate to compete. After the last credit increase in
2004, Manitoba matched and raised their rate that was
ten percent higher within hours.
Did you know?
-
The film and TV industry
contribute over $100 million annually to the
provincial economy.
-
Nova Scotia is the fourth
largest production centre in Canada, behind Toronto,
Vancouver and Montreal.
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Last year, $17 million tax
dollars wrapped up in tax incentives resulted in $136
million dollars in production.
Spring Election Fever?
Currently setting the record with the shortest number of
days sitting in the Legislature in Canada, members of
the Province’s Legislative Assembly haven’t yet been
recalled for a Fall session. Protocol requires 30 days
notice, which could be given before or after the results
of a by-election in Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage on
October 2nd. Meanwhile, Liberal Party members will
gather on October 24th at the Kingsway Gardens, 20
Empire Lane to nominate that party’s candidate in the
next provincial election. Paula Lunn is currently
uncontested. Registration begins at 6:00 pm Guest:
Stephen McNeil, MLA and Leader of the NS Liberal Party.
New voting members must ordinarily reside in the
constituency of West Hants and join the party prior to
September 24th. Current members whose dues are in
arrears by not more than a year may renew membership
during nomination night. Call Robbie Zwicker on
902.684.0029 for more information.
Voluntary Planning seeks volunteers
The Province’s Voluntary Planning is looking for
volunteers to lead Nova Scotians in a discussion about
the future of the province’s natural resources,
specifically forests, minerals, biodiversity and parks.
Citizens input will set the foundation and define the
values for a natural resources strategy that includes
these four components. Interested people are asked to
forward an expression of interest on or before October
1, 2007 to
volplan@gov.ns.ca. For
more information you can contact (902) 424-8644 or visit
their website on
http://www.gov.ns.ca/vp
Emerging Issues – Is the Province’s
Gas Tax Fuelish?
Differences among business groups in Nova Scotia have
re-emerged in the past week over the issue of taxes on
fuel. Over 1,000 small businesses across Nova Scotia
waged a fax war advocating the province ought to lower
its motive fuel tax from 15.5 cents per litre similar to
cuts made by the governments in New Brunswick and PEI on
gasoline sales in those provinces. Last fall the
then-newly elected Liberal government cut its tax by 3.8
cents per leitre to 10.7 cents and earlier this summer,
the new PEI Liberal government lowered their tax to 7.1
cents, from 11.5 centres per litre. The paper war
started at the urging of the Canadian Federation of
Independent Business after they calculated the results
of a recent survey to gauge opinions of small businesses
on energy issues. “There’s little question that most
small-businesses see fuel tax cuts as a good thing,”
Leanne Hachey, the lobby group’s regional vice president
said. Hachey said that businesses in rural communities
especially can see the impact high gas taxes have on
businesses because it cost them more in direct
transportation costs. The Halifax Chamber of Commerce
stated in August it is opposed to cutting taxes on fuel
because it wants the MacDonald government to use all
available sources of revenue toward the Province’s debt
reduction. While Hachey acknowledges Nova Scotia’s
budget issues, she says that Nova Scotia currently has
the second highest rate of fuel taxes in Canada and that
a cut in these taxes are popular will small business
because it’s one of few cost pressures that can be
addressed. It’s estimated that a cut in the taxes the
province collects would result in a loss of $75 million
in annual revenue. “While everyone prefers to pay less
for gas and any reduction in costs makes for a more
competitive business environment, our longer-term
interests as a community may not be well served by such
a move,” said Valerie Payne, the Halifax Chamber
President. The Halifax Chamber also pointed out that
cutting the taxes doesn’t encourage responsible
consumption of gas or make the transportation of goods
and people more sustainable. Instead, they are calling
for the removal of gas price regulation in the province.
Meanwhile, several provincial government officials are
sticking by the regulation and the taxes. The issue of
debt has traditionally addressed by the Province, albeit
indirectly, by boasting that every dollar raised at the
pumps goes directly into the province’s road repair and
maintenance budget. Government officials have also
claimed that every percentage point they might lower
would only be met with an increase by industry, lining
their pockets instead of our roads with these
improvements. (Sources: The Chronicle Herald,
www.gov.ns.ca)
What do you think? Should the province’s gas taxes be
cut in Nova Scotia? Email your comments to
info@whcc.ca
More info:
CFIB's Fax “Energy Matters to My
Business”
Federal Department of Natural
Resources’ Fuel Focus
Federal Department of Finance
Bulletin
NS Petroleum Prices Schedule
NS Tax Commission – Fuel Tax
Collection and Enforcement
Events
Calendar - submit
your event to
info@whcc.ca today.
Wednesday September 19th - Official Opening
Windsor’s Super8 Motel officially opens with a reception
there from 1- 3:00 pm
Thursday September 20th - Windsor Hockey Heritage
Hall of Fame Awards Banquet
and Celebrity Golf Scramble the next day on the 21st.
“Dine and Duff” with special Guest Former Boston Bruin,
Brad Park. Avon Valley Golf Club. Hosted by CTV’s Liz
Rigney, Len Hawley’s ‘Hot Stove’, music, auction and
more. For tickets and more information, please contact
798-1800.
September 21- 23 – Part 2 of the 242nd Annual Hants
County Exhibition
So much to see, so much to do at the country’s premier
agricultural show. Arena events, theatre and music
entertainment, and the attractions of the outdoor ring.
Infoline 798-0000 or get the program schedule right
here
Saturday September 22 – Stan Carew Benefit
CBC Weekend Morning Radio Host Stan Carew will star in a
benefit concert for the Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts
Centre with musical support known as the Magpies. 7:30
pm Tickets are $15 ($12 for students/seniors) and are
available at Moe’s Place Music Sales 798-5565.
Sunday September 23 – Open Farm Day
Show your support for the province’s agriculture
industry and have some fun while visit some farms.
Participating Hants County farms are online
here
Sept 28-30th 4-H 30th
Anniversary Show
A showcase talent from across the province in both life
skills (such as crafts, foods, welding, wood-working)
and livestock shows and events (mostly sheep, beef,
dairy, poultry). Hants County Exhibition Grounds.
Admission is free and the program online
here
Sleepy Hollow Musical
Dinner
Quick As A Wink Theatre. Shows will be Friday and
Saturday evenings on October 5, 6 and 12, 13 at 6:30 pm
at the Windsor Royal Canadian Legion, Fort Edward Mall,
Wentworth Road, Windsor. A full turkey dinner will be
served and bar service is available. The cost of tickets
is $28.00 for adults and $18.00 children 10 and under.
Advanced reservations only. For information and tickets
call 792-1455.
Links you
can use:
Source gas prices across North
America
Who’s Hiring: Windsor-West
Hants Job Bank
Halloween Costume Ideas
Chuckles:
Gas is so expensive, SUV now stands for Sports Utility
Victim – Jay Leno.
Play Corner Gas’s online game
Perfect Pump – it’s free!
Our next issue will be published October 2nd and the
deadline for submissions is Friday September 28th.
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