NewsMakers

[AMHERST, NS] Business federation seeks fiscal restraint: Amherst retailers concerned about the impact of a proposed hike in the HST have the support of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The organization’s acting Atlantic vice-president feels government is moving too quickly at considering a tax increase to solve its deficit problems when it should be looking at itself and how it spends money. “We are very much aware of the situation faced by business in the Amherst area and along the border with New Brunswick. It’s not only an issue there, it’s an issue province-wide,” Judith Andrew said. “Nova Scotians are already among the highest taxed in Canada and while New Brunswick is more competitive and is lowering its taxes, Nova Scotia is looking to raise theirs.” Andrew said the tax load in the province is making it difficult for small and medium-sized businesses to survive and the thought of raising taxes  should be seen as a disaster. The acting vice-president has spoken to retailers in the Amherst area and understands their concerns. “It’s sort of the canary in the coal mine. You see the impact it’s going to have and everyone is going to take a hit,” she said. “Why the government thinks the answer to the budget question is to raise taxes is just beyond us.” — By Darrell Cole, The Amherst Daily News, Transcontinental Media

[SYDNEY, NS] Hay Island seal hunt called off: Sealers in Cape Breton no longer expect to harvest grey seals this year on Hay Island, where they are opposed by humane society activists. Robert Courtney, president of the North of Smokey Fishermen’s Association, said on Thursday that sealers were counting on assistance from the Nova Scotia government to prepare seal products to meet the requirements of a buyer, but it didn’t happen. “They just backed out of the whole thing,” he said. “We needed them to make things work and anyway, they’re not there,” he said. “As far as Hay Island, it’s basically finished for this year unless something happens in the next day or two, but I don’t see it.” The sealers won’t identify the buyers. Courtney said he was disappointed that the Hay Island hunt won’t go ahead, noting that there are likely few grey seal pups left on the island this late in the February 8 to March 15 season for the quota of 2,200 animals that was set by the federal Fisheries and Oceans Department. — By Chris Hayes, The Cape Breton Post, Transcontinental Media

[TRURO, NS] Truro chamber welcomes new leader: The Truro and District Chamber of Commerce has a new president — Chantale Haché, owner of Belle Santé Holistic Health Centre and Spa. Haché officially took over the position of president at the chamber’s annual general meeting held Thursday at the Marigold Cultural Centre. She will retain the position of president until the TDCoC’s AGM in 2011. At that time, 1st vice-president Greg Wilkins will take over the top spot. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[HALIFAX, NS] Halifax training firm launches worldwide program: The Halifax office of Sandler Training has developed a unique curriculum for the global head office of Sandler Training Systems in Baltimore. The program was recently launched at the Sandler Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the past four years, Halifax Sandler partner Anne MacKeigan has been researching and working directly with frontline employees to uncover the challenges of developing a culture of corporate customer care. The resulting program is Strategic Customer Care® and will be part of the training offered by over 250 licensed Sandler trainers in 28 countries. Strategic Customer Care® is a program of business tactics for frontline employees. The program is ideally suited to company employees who interact with customers and support their outside business development counterparts. They are likely to be service technicians, counter staff, inside salespeople, inbound call centre staff, customer service representatives, and anyone who interacts with customers. The 12-module program helps participants develop proven skills, professional communication, positive attitudes, productive behaviours, and confidence. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[LENNOX ISLAND, PE] Province won’t halt First Nations lobster plant: The provincial government will not be standing in the way of a Lennox Island company’s plans to process lobster. When Chief Darlene Bernard announced in December that her First Nations band was establishing Minigoo Fisheries, a lobster processing plant in her community, provincial Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Neil LeClair said he would be checking into the band’s right to do so. The province currently has a moratorium in place which prohibits the establishment of new lobster processing plants. LeClair has since admitted accommodating the Lennox Island plant does not go against the moratorium and has advised Chief Bernard the province would accommodate her right to process. All the plant requires is a Canadian Food Inspection Agency approval and a federal license to export product, he says. Meanwhile renovations to an existing building on Lennox Island to house Minigoo Fisheries are nearing completion. The official opening is planned for April. — By Eric McCarthy, The Journal Pioneer, Transcontinental Media

[CHARLOTTETOWN, PE] Province presents annual environmental awards: The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) recently recognized Island Coastal Services for its efforts in protecting the environment as part of its annual TIR environmental awards. “Protecting the environment is one of our priorities on each and every construction project,” says Minister Ron MacKinley. “This award winner has shown tremendous dedication to ensuring the environment is not negatively impacted by our capital improvements.” Island Coastal Services was recognized after its work on the Hunter River Route 2 improvement project and the Coles Creek culvert liner installation. Both of these projects required thorough sediment control and run-off protection and both were handled with upmost care and professionalism, says TIR. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[STEPHENVILLE, NL] Opposition urging interim financing for Stephenville Airport: The Opposition Liberals are calling on the provincial government to provide interim financing to the Stephenville Airport Corp. until a recently submitted airport business plan is evaluated and a longer-term funding decision is reached. Marshall Dean, MHA for the District of The Straits and White Bay North and Opposition Municipal Affairs Critic, says the Stephenville Airport Corp. has been lobbying the provincial and federal governments for money to expand its fuel storage capacity to accommodate larger airlines and upgrade aging infrastructure. The airport is designated as an alternate fueling stop to Gander for international flights en route to Europe. “This international airport is an important piece of infrastructure to Stephenville and region and deserves to be given a fighting chance to survive,” Dean said. “This is a facility that is already in place and operating, and it now requires a small investment to stabilize its operations in the short-term until the bigger picture of financing is addressed.” — By The Telegram, Transcontinental Media

National Scene…
[OTTAWA, ON] Fees on the rise at airport: The Canadian Press is reporting that the federal government is planning to increase the airport security tax on April 1 to cover the cost of new security measures. For more information, read the story at Metro News: http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/live/article/462689–tories-to-raise-air-security-tax-spend-1-5-billion-on-security