Recently the federal government moved to make it easier to re-invest in technology and business infrastructure. The proposed tax measures will enable businesses to immediately write off the full cost of some types of machinery and equipment, and allow companies of all sizes and in all sectors to expense a larger share of newly acquired …
Fall Back Up with Wadih Fares
Governments content to push pot, but leave employers on their own
As the person responsible for overseeing the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s legislative activities for Atlantic Canada, I felt it important to show up, at this time last year, at the provincial government’s consultation on the legalization of cannabis. I was there to represent employers. Unfortunately, there weren’t many questions around the impact of the …
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What will a new sheriff in Alberta mean for Atlantic Canada?
I've known Jason Kenney since we met in Ottawa in 2000. I haven't always agreed with his positions but there is no arguing his ability to make a compelling argument. While nothing is certain in politics, odds are if the most recent polls hold, Mr. Kenney, the leader of the United Conservative Party, will be …
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Fall Back Up with Don Mills
Don Mills is one of Atlantic Canada’s best-known voices on public opinion and public policy. Don co-founded Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) in 1978 and he remains passionate about his business and his Atlantic Canadian home. Over the years, he has built CRA into one of the region’s most prominent research firms and its reputation stretches …
Fall Back Up with Donald Savoie
Donald Savoie is one of Canada's most respect public policy minds, but above all, he is a Maritimer. Savoie founded the Canadian Institute for Research on Regional Development at l'Université de Moncton in 1983 where he also teaches public administration. The institute was renamed the Donald J. Savoie Institute in 2015. He has advised governments …
Cannabis; Retail and Regulations
This is a bit of a departure from my usual posts. I was invited to talk with Shawn King, host of Turning a New Leaf, a podcast dedicated to the discussion around the legalization of cannabis in Canada. As governments try to get a handle on this new reality, there are many questions remaining unanswered. …
Help Wanted
A group of senior federal Ministers were in Summerside recently along with the Atlantic premiers to talk about the Atlantic Growth Strategy. The AGS has a number of moving parts but immigration has been a central cog. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project (AIPP) has great potential, but businesses across the region need encouragement to buy …
Are Mental Health Issues Best Managed by Putting People Off the Job?
Recently I was involved in a lively discussion about the provincial government’s new plans to change how first responders suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are managed under Workers’ Compensation (WCB). Everyone in the room had a working knowledge of the current system and it was clear there are still many unanswered questions about how …
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Fall Back Up with George Armoyan
George Armoyan is one of Atlantic Canada’s most successful developers and investors. George’s family arrived in Boston from Syria in the early 1970’s. George came to Halifax to attend Dalhousie University and decided to make Nova Scotia his home. Since he was a kid, George has been making deals. His philosophy in business has been …