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Chamber's News
Wednesday, January 20, 2021Sheri Somerville, CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, cites some sobering figures: a $3-billion loss to the tourism industry in Atlantic Canada in 2020, part of a $12-billion overall loss in the region’s six core industries. Recovering from those kinds of economic losses will take time, said Somerville, and the lack of efficient air transport service will extend that time. “One thing that we know for sure is reducing air service, or suspending air service, creates uncertainty,” she said. Read moreTuesday, January 19, 2021Last week, Air Canada officially stopped offering its five-day-a-week route between Sydney and Toronto, leaving the J.A Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport without a single commercial flight. Kathleen Yurchesyn, the CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, explains: This is catastrophic for our region, for our economy, for our community, for our tourism and cultural sectors. We need to be an accessible island … in order to sustain ourselves currently, but also to have any chance of growth." Read moreTuesday, January 19, 2021Holland College needs to have more of a presence in Kings County, a member of the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce said. "I think it is important, particularly for the development of the rural communities," Alan MacPhee said. Read moreTuesday, January 19, 2021The Town of Gander wants to hear from you. More precisely, the central Newfoundland town wants to hear from people around the region about their connection to the Gander International Airport and its importance to how they live or conduct business. Sheldon Handcock, chair of the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce is urging the federal government to provide support and a fair deal to the struggling national airlines. Read moreMonday, January 18, 2021Residents of the Edmundston region are on edge after a COVID-19 outbreak at a poultry plant forced the area back to red-phase restrictions. Cathy Pelletier, executive director of the Edmundston Chamber of Commerce, said many anticipated the rollback to red, but the business community remains hopeful the red phase will be brief and quickly improve the situation. Read moreFriday, January 15, 2021Airlines and airports around the world have been hit hard by the decline in global travel as a result of Covid-19. And while we’ve all heard the inspiring stories of businesses – including our own chamber members – that have pivoted and persevered during these challenging times, these stories have been few and far between. -- David Duplisea, CEO Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Read moreThursday, January 14, 2021Labrador North Chamber of Commerce chats with Janice Goudie on Labrador Morning about the route suspensions between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Halifax, and the effect on local business. Read moreTuesday, January 12, 2021A survey conducted by the Southeast Economic Recovery Task Force found two-thirds of companies with offices in downtown Moncton still have most or all of their staff working remotely nine months into the pandemic. John Wishart, CEO of task force member Chamber of Commerce of Greater Moncton (CCGM), says the findings weren’t surprising, but concerning. Read moreMonday, January 11, 2021Monday saw the final commercial flights take off from two airports in Atlantic Canada, leaving them without access to commercial air service. Air Canada announced last month that it would cancel all flights to and from Sydney, N.S., and Saint John, N.B., and reduce service to Deer Lake, N.L., Charlottetown, Fredericton and Halifax during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read moreSunday, January 10, 2021Some business leaders remain all in on the provincial government's economic recovery team, despite union leaders taking a stand against it. On Tuesday, Mary Shortall, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, stepped down from her role on Premier Andrew Furey's task force, which was assembled to bring an outside perspective that could generate ideas to help the province's financial woes. Read more
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Business Truth & Reconciliation
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework. This entails a commitment to meaningful consultation, fostering respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before embarking on economic projects. Moreover, the Chamber advocates for equitable access to employment, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring they reap sustainable benefits from economic development initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
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