Employers’ Council presents to provincial tax Review Committee: Emphasizes urgent need to make taxes competitive
This week, the Employers’ Council presented to the provincial Tax Review Committee, a five person committee appointed by government. The committee will make recommendations for reforms to the province’s tax system, to be considered prior to Budget 2019-20. Our presentation emphasized the urgent need to reduce the total tax burden on both citizens and businesses,  [...]
Employers’ Council raises red-flag on tentative NAPE agreement with government
Reports emerged this week that a tentative agreement between NAPE and government includes a wage freeze, buyout and elimination of severance for all NAPE employees, and a no-layoff clause for the term of the contract. The Employers’ Council has been in the media expressing concern about the no-layoff clause. “To put a no-layoff clause in a  [...]
Employers’ Council releases “Another Way Forward”, an alternative to government’s fiscal plan.
The Employers’ Council launched Another Way Forward today, an alternative to government’s fiscal plan developed with research from the Conference Board of Canada. This proposed plan relies less on tax increases and more on government spending reductions. The Conference Board found that NL has the second highest personal tax burden in the country. Another Way  [...]
Employers’ Council reacts to tax review: Without action to reduce spending, committee may be set up for failure
Yesterday Finance Minister Tom Osborne announced an independent review of the provincial tax code, to be completed in September 2018 with the final report expected in November 2018 for consideration prior to Budget 2019-20. Government stated that the main objectives of the review are to ensure the province’s tax system is competitive and fair, identify  [...]
Employers’ Council ramps up BigGovNL campaign following cancellation of fall supplemental budget
The Employers’ Council has ramped up our Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for Big Government campaign following the premier’s announcement that there will be no fall supplemental budget. During segments on both CBC Here & Now and NTV Evening News yesterday the Employers’ Council launched new BigGovNL online videos and TV ads. The satirical advertising campaign is designed to drive citizens to http://BigGovNL.ca to  [...]
Employers’ Council Shadow Budget calls for $1B in cost savings over 4 years
The NL Employers’ Council released a provincial Shadow Budget on April 13th, developed with research conducted by the Conference Board of Canada. The Conference Board examined spending in NL as compared to other provinces on a per capita or per GDP basis. They also measured the economic impact of tax increases and spending reductions to specific program  [...]
WHY WAIT IN LINE? report on Partnership continues to make headlines
Employer’s Council Executive Director Richard Alexander will speak to the Clarenville Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, March 22nd about how partnerships with the private sector can help government deal with the current fiscal storm, improve services to the public, and spur economic growth. The Employer’s Council was on the West Coast this week sharing  [...]
Employers’ Council calls for government partnerships with private sector
The NL Employers’ Council held a press conference yesterday to release findings of a study into the need to increase partnerships with the private and not-for-profit sectors in the delivery of government services and infrastructure. The report, Why Wait in Line? Opportunities to improve government services and infrastructure in NL was written by Memorial University  [...]
NLEC asks Liberal government for strong leadership and fiscal discipline
Finance Minister Cathy Bennett and Premier Dwight Ball released the mid-year fiscal update yesterday, confirming a record breaking deficit of nearly $2 billion. The NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) is encouraging the new government to show strong leadership on this issue. The massive deficit and $12.4 billion in net debt that the province is facing are  [...]
NLEC reacts to Budget 2015
Finance Minister Ross Wiseman brought down the 2015 Budget for Newfoundland & Labrador on April 30th in the House of Assembly. NLEC Executive Director, Richard Alexander reacted strongly in the media to some decisions, in particular to oppose the two percent increase in the provincial portion of the HST. While they may have been overshadowed  [...]
NLEC releases Conference Board of Canada Report Benchmarking NL against Competitors
The NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) released key findings of a Conference Board of Canada study that examines Newfoundland and Labrador’s strengths and weaknesses relative to its closest competitors today at the Sheraton Hotel. The study, Achieving Sustainable Prosperity: Benchmarking the Competitiveness of Newfoundland and Labrador, was commissioned by the NLEC to generate recommendations to improve the  [...]
NLEC asks federal government to continue focus on sustainability and fiscal restraint
NLEC Executive Director Richard Alexander met with the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister responsible for ACOA today in St. John’s to discuss federal budget priorities. Click here to view submission  [...]
Finance Minister Tom Marshall tells NLEC he wants to eliminate payroll tax
In a recent letter to NL Employers’ Council Executive Director, Richard Alexander, Finance Minister Tom Marshall expressed, in writing, his desire to eliminate payroll tax over time. The NLEC wrote all MHA’s, including Premier Dunderdale, prior to this year’s provincial budget, asking for fiscal restraint, debt reduction and an elimination of the payroll tax. In  [...]
NLEC gets movement on payroll tax
In yesterday’s provincial budget government announced an increase in the payroll tax threshold by $200,000 – to $1.2 million in payroll, retroactive to January 1, 2011. The NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) has been strongly lobbying government for the elimination of this tax on your behalf, and sees this as an obvious recognition from government that  [...]
NLEC Executive Director Featured in Telegram’s 20 Questions
On Saturday, January 29th, NLEC Executive Director Richard Alexander was featured in the Telegram’s 20 Questions column. Read the full article here. Posted on: March 3, 2011  [...]
NLEC to hold Tax on Labour Focus Groups
NLEC is holding Tax on Labour focus groups across province. Next focus group to take place at the Mount Peyton Hotel in Grand Falls on March 31st, 2011. The organization is looking for employer feedback on how high tax on labour impacts business in this province. The NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) will be gathering evidence  [...]
NLEC makes cover of Telegram on Tax on Labour
Employers’ Council says EI and CPP hikes are disincentives to hiring people. Read the full article here.  [...]