Category: Business/Finance

  • Nine in 10 Small Business Voters are Decided

    Nine in 10 Small Business Voters are Decided

      One-quarter participated in advance polls  Toronto – Ninety per cent of Canadian small business voters have made up their minds heading into Monday’s federal election and a quarter have already voted, according to a member survey conducted this week by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).  Another 72 per cent of respondents say they…

  • Royalty Framework May Spur Billions in Value Added Investment

      Alberta’s Industrial Heartland – Albertans could see nearly $25 billion of new investment flow into the province’s energy sector as a result of the Royalty Review. Changing the current Royalty Framework to recognize and incent value adding within Alberta will help optimize returns to Albertans and generate additional investment in energy processing. Alberta’s Industrial…

  • Government investment helps Red Deer airport expansion take off

    A provincial investment to expand the Red Deer Airport will help diversify the economy and create long term economic growth. The Red Deer Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in Canada, with a 179 per cent increase in scheduled passengers over the last four years. This necessary expansion will help Red Deer leverage…

  • Canadians Recognize Most Beloved Small Businesses

    Canadians Recognize Most Beloved Small Businesses

      Canada’s Small Business Saturday 2015 is October 24  Toronto – Small Business Saturday is just around the corner and to celebrate, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is recognizing Canada’s most-loved small businesses.  Winnipeg’s Chocolatier Constance Popp received the most votes across Canada and joins Island Hill Farm in Charlottetown, Merchant of Tennis in…

  • China Trade Mission Important Learning Opportunity for the NDP Government

    China Trade Mission Important Learning Opportunity for the NDP Government

        EDMONTON, AB: On the eve of Alberta Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd’s trade mission to China, the Wildrose Official Opposition commended the government for undertaking this trip, and encouraging the minister to make it a meaningful one. “I am encouraged to see this government taking relations with Alberta’s second largest trading partner seriously,” Wildrose Leader…

  • Alberta Government Misses the Mark with Advisory Committee on the Economy

      Job creators fed up with government’s lack of small business focus CALGARY – Following Premier Notley’s announcement she is appointing an Advisory Committee on the Economy, small business owners are concerned about the government’s lack of representation of independent business owners.  Small businesses make up 95 per cent of all businesses in Alberta and…

  • Premier’s Advisory Committee on the Economy to grow and diversify Alberta business

    Premier Rachel Notley has named Joseph Doucet, Dean of the University of Alberta’s Alberta School of Business, as the chair of the new Premier’s Advisory Committee on the Economy. The 10-member Committee will provide independent, expert advice to the Premier and government as it works to support Alberta’s job creators, entrepreneurs and business leaders. The…

  • NDP ideology takes a toll on Alberta small business

      When the NDP government pledged to drastically hike Alberta’s minimum wage by 50 per cent, I took immediate concern for our province’s small businesses and the people they employ. In October, the first of three increases was implemented, and I set off on a provincial tour to find out how small business was being…

  • Despite sacrifices, Alberta entrepreneurs happy: ATB Business Beat

    Despite sacrifices, Alberta entrepreneurs happy: ATB Business Beat

    Calgary — Despite an economic slowdown, long work weeks and countless sacrifices in their personal lives, Alberta’s small and mid-sized business owners are in a good mood. According to ATB Financial’s latest Business Beat Survey, 77 per cent of business owners in Alberta are happy, including 22 per cent who say they are very happy. When asked…

  • Federal election: small business owners will take substance over style

    Survey shows entrepreneurs will vote for best policies  Toronto – With Election Day just over the horizon, Canada’s small business owners will be looking to policy over personality when it comes time to cast their ballots. According to a CFIB survey conducted this week, a majority of small business owners said the party platform was the…

  • Government Looks to Strengthen Consumer Protection for Payday Loan Users

    Albertans are being asked to share their opinions and experiences with payday loans through an online survey. The survey is part of the government’s comprehensive review of the Payday Loans Regulation. All payday lenders operating in Alberta are licensed under the regulation, which expires on June 30, 2016. “Protecting consumers is a priority of our…

  • Energy Minister to strengthen trade relationship with China

      Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd will support Alberta-China energy partnerships on a mission to China from October 10-16. Minister McCuaig-Boyd will encourage investment in Alberta’s energy industry, while also sharing energy and environmental best practices. This trip follows Premier Rachel Notley’s mission to eastern Canada and the United States to promote Alberta as a healthy…

  • Trans-Pacific Partnership to Impact Canadian Dairy Farmers

    Trans-Pacific Partnership to Impact Canadian Dairy Farmers

    Ottawa – Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has been informed that the final agreement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) includes market access concessions on dairy products. Some time is needed to fully evaluate the impacts of the agreement on our industry, but DFC’s initial assessment is that in order to secure this trade agreement for Canada,…

  • Canada Concludes Free Trade Agreement with Trans-Pacific Partners

    Ottawa, Ontario – The Government of Canada today announced that the members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have successfully concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement that will benefit Canada’s economy. The TPP agreement will give Canada preferential access to dynamic and growing Asia-Pacific markets. Tariffs and other barriers faced by a wide range of…

  • Agriculture Minister issues statement on Trans-Pacific Partnership

      Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier issued the following statement in response to the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade negotiations. “Alberta is a trade-focused province and we support the responsible growth of trade opportunities for our export sectors. This is a wide-ranging agreement that we need to review in detail before we…