Minimum Wage now linked to CPI as recommended by Employers’ Council
On February 20th government also announced that the minimum wage in Newfoundland & Labrador will now be tied to the national Consumer Price Index (CPI). Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, Al Hawkins, announced that minimum wage would be increased by 15 cents to $11.15 on April 1st, 2018. All future increases will be  [...]
Employers’ Council Reacts to Changes in Workers Compensation Benefits
In late February Minister Sherry Gambin-Walsh introduced a bill in the House of Assembly to amend the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act to move the existing income replacement rate (IRR) – used in calculating the worker benefits – from 80 per cent to 85 per cent of net income. Maximum Compensable Assessable Earnings will  [...]
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  [...]
Spending reform still needed: Employers’ Council reaction to Budget 2017
Finance Minister Cathy Bennett brought down her second provincial budget yesterday. -Due to higher than expected oil revenue, this year’s deficit was revised to $1.1 B, down from the $1.83 B deficit forecasted in last year’s budget. -Government committed to hit their deficit reduction target for 2017-18 through spending cuts of $283 million. Next year’s  [...]
Ten employers shortlisted for the Employer of Distinction Awards
Join the Employers’ Council at our Employer of Distinction Awards Luncheon & Reception on Monday, March 20th at the Sheraton Hotel to celebrate the 10 outstanding employers who have been shortlisted this year. The Employer of Distinction Award recognizes successful employers in Newfoundland and Labrador who demonstrate leadership in the community, corporate responsibility, productivity and innovation,  [...]
Employers’ Council counters CUPE’s protest against Public Private Partnerships
The Employers’ Council has been in the media countering the Canadian Union of Public Employee’s (CUPE) campaign against Public Private Partnerships (P3s). CUPE’s comments paint a misleading and inaccurate picture of public private partnerships, and of government’s plans for the recently announced long term care facility in Corner Brook. “It is hard to understand why  [...]
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  [...]