-
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce actively monitors emerging issues that impact businesses across Atlantic Canada. It advocates on behalf of the business community, providing insights and recommendations to support the development of effective public policies. Below are ACC’s recent submissions:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026Letter to Premier Holt and Premier Houston Re: Achieving an Atlantic Free Trade Zone
On behalf of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, 94 members forming a powerful collective voice for over 16,000 businesses across the four Atlantic provinces, I am writing to express concern over recent decisions that risk undermining the economic integration our region strives to achieve. In Budget 2026-2027, the Government of New Brunswick announced a new toll for out-of-province vehicles at Aulac by 2028. Combined with Nova Scotia’s continued operation of the Cobequid Pass toll on the Trans-Canada Highway,
Thursday, March 12, 2026Response from The Honourable Joanne Thompson, P.C., M.P. Re: Atlantic Fisheries Fund
Thank you for your correspondence of January 6, 2026, highlighting the importance of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) to businesses and livelihoods across Atlantic Canada. I value your comments on the role of the AFF in supporting innovation, productivity, and sustainability in the industry which supports employment and opportunities for coastal communities. Since 2017, the AFF has provided support to over 1,300 projects across the Atlantic provinces, valued at over $368 million. My department recognizes
Tuesday, March 10, 2026Letter to Atlantic Premiers Re: Mutual Health and Safety Credential Recognition in Atlantic Canada
We urge the Atlantic provinces to commit to recognizing health and safety credentials earned in any other Atlantic province, ensuring that certifications obtained in one jurisdiction are automatically accepted in the others. This would eliminate redundant training, testing, or recertification requirements for skilled workers moving within the region, while upholding consistent high standards of workplace safety.
Friday, March 6, 2026Letter to The Honourable Craig Pardy: Minister of Finance Re: NL Payroll Tax
We respectfully request that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador eliminate the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax (HAPSET), the 2% payroll tax applied to annual payrolls exceeding $2 million. This tax, while intended to support vital sectors like health and education, has unintended consequences that hinder economic development precisely at a time when the province faces significant challenges, including high operational costs, out-migration, and persistent labour shortages.
Monday, March 2, 2026Letter to Ginette Gautreau, Director, Public Engagement from The Coalition of New Brunswick Employers
On behalf of The Coalition of New Brunswick Employers and our member associations from across New Brunswick, we are writing to voice our opinion regarding the existing property tax reform initiative. The Coalition of New Brunswick Employers is a provincial advocacy coalition that represents various business, trade and industry associations in New Brunswick that overall represent nearly 300,000 hard working employees in the province.
Friday, February 27, 2026Letter to Premier Lantz Re: Reducing Regulatory Burden
We welcome the recent establishment of the Cabinet Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Red Tape Reduction as a timely and important step toward addressing administrative burdens and improving government efficiency in Prince Edward Island (PEI). As the recognized voice of business across Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce sees firsthand, through our network of local chambers and the more than 16,000 businesses we represent, how excessive regulation limits growth, discourages innovation, and
Monday, February 23, 2026Nova Scotia Budget Response
The Government of Nova Scotia’s 2026/2027 Budget saw no major tax increases on business or individuals but featured a significant deficit of $1.19 billion and is forecasting future deficits over the next four years. Government cannot continue down an unsustainable path that passes the burden of debt back on to the taxpayers of today and tomorrow. It must immediately begin reining in expenses, living within its means, and restoring meaningful fiscal anchors, such as credible debt-to-GDP targets, balanced
Friday, February 20, 2026New Brunswick Pre-Budget Submission
Local chambers provide on-the-ground intelligence and direct support to entrepreneurs, while the ACC strengthens this work through regional alignment and shared advocacy. National partners, including the Chambers of the Federation and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, ensure that local business priorities from our region influence national economic policy. If your government is aiming to support small and medium sized businesses at the grassroots level, investing in a partnership with local chambers is one
Wednesday, February 18, 2026Newfoundland & Labrador Pre-Budget Submission
The chamber of commerce movement in Atlantic Canada is a coordinated, community-embedded network that reaches thousands of small businesses across the four provinces. Within this network, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) serves and engages the 21 chambers of commerce and boards of trade located in Newfoundland and Labrador, providing a shared platform for collaboration, insight, and regional advocacy. If your government is aiming to support small business at the grassroots level, investing in a
Wednesday, February 18, 2026Joint Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada Re: Marine Atlantic & Economic Growth in Atlantic Canada & Beyond
We write to you today as a group of likeminded industry leaders who champion the growth of Atlantic Canada, in particular the Newfoundland and Labrador economy. We are concerned that Marine Atlantic Inc. (“MAI”), our constitutionally mandated ferry service, is falling short of meeting the passenger demand and commercial traffic offering our province requires. As such, we are writing to you as our Prime Minister to both apprise you of the situation and to ask for your support in remedying this crucial
-
Truth and Reconciliation
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. Learn more click here.
