NorthBridge’s Summer 2013 newsletter has just been released. In this edition: Brace Yourselves: Change is Coming Found Money: It’s More than the Loose Change in Your Couch Where is All the Innovation in Canada? Government Funding to Hire Recent Graduates
NorthBridge Consultants’ Canadian Business Blog is dedicated to bringing businesses news and information to help companies identify and access the most appropriate government funding programs.
We offer opinions and insider information that can provide a pulse on government initiatives, the health of the Canadian economy, and firsthand thoughts from Canadian business owners.
The High Cost of Ontario Power Rates for Manufacturers Can Be Offset by Government Programs
Ontario’s high power rates could be a deterrent for companies to locate in the province. According to the Association of Major Power Consumers of Ontario, industrial customers within the province pay approximately $85 per megawatt hour, which is more than… Read more »
Funding Available for Hiring of New University or College Graduates
There are close to 300, 000 unfilled jobs in the Canadian private sector, with manufacturing being among the industries with the highest vacancies according to findings from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Unfilled jobs represent missed opportunities for… Read more »
Canadian Manufacturing Industry Shows Slight Growth In April
Spring is a time of year when new life starts to grow not just for plants but for companies and governments alike. Whether it is the hiring of new employees or an annual federal budget, spring brings out a wide… Read more »
Extension of Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (ACCA) Provides Tax Relief for Manufacturers
The recent federal budget of 2013 highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. New sources of Canadian business funding and renewal of previous initiatives provides extra incentives for manufacturers to advance their business to the… Read more »
Canada Posts First Trade Surplus in a Year
Rising US demand has generated an increase in Canadian exports, allowing for the first trade surplus in a year. Statistics Canada reported a 5.1 % increase in exports in March 2013 to $40.5 billion, with only a 1.7% increase in… Read more »
Repeal of Industrial Exception Means Professional Engineers Required for Production Equipment Modifications
A recent press release by the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) indicated that the Government of Ontario has approved a change to the Professional Engineers Act that will remove the so-called industrial exception starting on March 1, 2013. This means that… Read more »
New Canada Jobs Grant Introduced Under Labour Market Agreements
As part of the 2013 federal budget, the government has announced plans to introduce a new federal training initiative called the Canada Jobs Grant. Back in 2007, Canada unveiled its $3 billion Labour Market Agreements (with the provinces and territories) which… Read more »
Canada’s Performance in Innovation
Ottawa based think tank, The Conference Board, released a series of reports called “How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada,” which assesses Canada’s quality of life in comparison to other countries. Canada receives grades of “B” in the majority… Read more »