Federal Minister Judy Foote gives keynote at NLEC Employer of Distinction Awards
The NL Employers’ Council honoured Petroforma Laboratories and College of the North Atlantic at the 2015 Employer of Distinction Awards Luncheon & Reception Monday at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s. The Luncheon and Reception was attended by nearly 200 business and political leaders and featured a keynote speech by the honourable Judy M. Foote, Federal  [...]
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  [...]
Private Members Resolution on Temporary Foreign Workers passed in the House of Assembly
A Private Members Resolution to implement worker recruitment and protection legislation, which would require an employer registration process as well as a licensing requirement for companies/individuals recruiting foreign workers, was passed in the House of Assembly last week. Introduced by Liberal MHA Cathy Bennett, it was supported by all members except the NDP. The NLEC  [...]
Impact of the TFW motatorium on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has played an important role in the province’s ability to attract and retain permanent immigrants. Nearly 70% of all Provincial Nominees for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) come from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (in all skill sectors). Due to the decline of the working age population projected for  [...]
NLEC defends use of Temporary Foreign Workers
On April 24th, Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada, Jason Kenney, announced a moratorium on the Food Services Sector’s access to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The NLEC immediately jumped to the defence of employers in this sector who are utilizing Temporary Foreign Workers. Placing a moratorium on an entire sector due to allegations  [...]
Federal Minister of Employment Jason Kenney to speak at Employer of Distinction Awards Feb 14th
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development & Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, will be the Keynote speaker at this year’s Employer of Distinction Awards. Kenney will discuss ongoing federal government efforts to connect Newfoundlanders & Labradorians with available jobs and address the skills mismatch in Canada. Speaking just days after the federal  [...]
NLEC asks Atlantic premiers to end resistance to EI reforms
The NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) met with the Council of Atlantic Premiers (CAP) advisory panel Thursday in St. John’s to advise the Atlantic premiers to reconsider their opposition to Employment Insurance (EI) reforms implemented by the federal government last year. In 2008-2010, nearly 60% of the workforce in Newfoundland & Labrador received EI benefits at  [...]
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  [...]
Employers disappointed by changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Harper government announced reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Monday.  The Government is introducing legislative, regulatory and administrative changes that will: effective immediately, require employers to pay temporary foreign workers at the prevailing wage by removing the existing wage flexibility; effective immediately, temporarily suspend the Accelerated Labour Market Opinion process; increase the Government’s  [...]
NLEC supports Jan 6th EI changes designed to remove disincentives to work and connect people to jobs
Employers who feel they are competing with the EI system for labour should begin to experience some relief as reforms to the Employment Insurance (EI) system announced last spring took effect Sunday. As of Jan. 6, people drawing EI benefits will be expected to put together career resumes, sign up at job banks, go to  [...]
NLEC supports Employment Insurance reform
Human Resource Minister Diane Finley outlined details of changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) system in a press conference yesterday. The NLEC has led a strong lobby for changes to the EI system over the last few years, and is pleased to see government taking steps in the right direction with these reforms. The changes, designed  [...]
NLEC consults with Federal Government on Labour Market issues
The NLEC was among a select group of industry leaders and stakeholders invited to present to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) on local labour market challenges at a roundtable discussion held in St. John’s Monday. The committee has recently  [...]
Federal Budget addresses NLEC requests regarding Employment Insurance and pensions
The 2012 Federal Budget, released yesterday, announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program that address concerns of NLEC members. The Government committed to make EI a more efficient program, to remove disincentives to work and quickly connect people to jobs. Among other changes, Government will “introduce legislation to strengthen and clarify what is required  [...]
NLEC meets with Member of Parliament Kellie Leitch on Employment Insurance and Pension Reform
NLEC Executive Director, Richard Alexander met with Dr. Kellie Leitch, MP for Simcoe-Grey and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Minister of Labour as part of federal pre-budget consultations in St. John’s on February 1st. Alexander urged the federal government to develop a long-term plan for debt reduction  [...]
NLEC Conference panel discussion on EI creates a stir
The panel discussion “Government’s Role – The impact of social programs on the labour market” held at this year’s NLEC Conference on November 16th in St. John’s, is continuing to make quite a stir in the local media. The panel, moderated by Blogger and Media Commentator Geoff Meeker, featured Association of Seafood Producers President Derek  [...]
NLEC reacts to Federal Budget
Richard Alexander, Executive Director of the NLEC and Bradley George, Director of Provincial Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) met at the Duke of Duckworth to watch the 2011 Federal Budget. Get their reaction here.  [...]
NLEC Executive Director meets with Minister of State on PRPPs
Urging provincial government to implement legislation allowing employers to voluntary offer retirement savings option to employees Federal Minister of State (Finance), Ted Menzies, was in St. John’s today meeting with business representatives, including NL Employers’ Council (NLEC) Executive Director, Richard Alexander, on the Federal government’s proposed Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs). The proposed PRPPs will  [...]
2009 survey of NLEC membership on impact of EI system still creating buzz
In late 2009, Corporate Research Associates, an independent business research group based in Nova Scotia, conducted a survey of NLEC members to study the effects of Employment Insurance and Workers Compensation on the workplace. The NLEC recently revisited these results in media coverage surrounding our workshop “Navigating the EI System”, and the facts are continuing  [...]
NLEC asking for increased integrity in the EI system
A recent workshop held by the NLEC addressing employer challenges with the Employment Insurance (EI) system is creating some buzz. Employers in Newfoundland & Labrador express major concerns with the EI system. In a survey of NLEC members, conducted by Corporate Research Associates in 2009, 32% of employers stated the current EI rules make it more  [...]
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.  [...]