#8 Customs officers routinely waiving duties, taxes on some U.S. goods: briefing note

Source: CTV News
Date : March 23, 2014

A briefing note presented to the Prime Minister showed, Canada's border guards routinely waive taxes and duties on goods bought by travellers in the U.S. The briefing note was prepared last June, but confirms the suspicion's of Canadian retailers, that the Canada Border Services Agency is too lenient with cross-border shoppers. The note indicates that Border services often waive duties and taxes and it is costing the economy millions.

In 2012, The Federal Government raised duty-free limits for travellers coming back from a foreign country, to $200 worth of goods for trips of between one and two days, and $800 for longer trips. Same day trips don't receive any exemptions, and Canada's Border Service Agency indicated that they do enforce a stricter limit on same-day trips, as the potential for abuse is higher, but often amounts under 50$ don't require duty.

In 2012, Canadians made 55 million trips to the U.S. and 33 million of those trips were completed on the same day. With dollar amounts at near par and a newly raised limits on duty-free goods stateside  bargain-hunting was encouraged.

Border guards collect about $150 million in taxes and duties from travellers each year. But the agency doesn't track the amounts it waives, so there's no way to assess how much of a break cross-border shoppers are getting, or how much revenue the government is losing.

I think it's awesome to be able to go stateside to shop! In reality it does hurt retailers in Canada, but most items are half the price. Last fall, the money I saved on an Under Armor hoodie, I bought a pair of sneakers too. When I rolled up to the border, all I basically paid was the tax. There isn't any duty or taxes on grocery items, so to take a day and go shopping stateside, it's well worth the trip for shoppers!

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/customs-officers-routinely-waiving-duties-taxes-on-some-u-s-goods-briefing-note-1.1742205

#7 Irving says it will spend $38M to modernize sawmills in N.B.

Source: CTV News Atlantic
Date : March 14, 2014

Jim Irving, co-CEO of J.D. Irving Ltd. announced earlier this week that it plans to spend $450 million to modernize mills throughout the province. Irving says, they will spend $38 million modernizing the sawmill production. The projects will include construction of a new sawmill in Doaktown and a new studwood production line in, Chipman.

The news of the spending comes just days after the provincial government lifted a cap on the amount of softwood it will make available to the forestry industry, from Crown land. New Brunswick's 10 year forestry plan and Irving's spending, should help generate close to 400 full-time and seasonal jobs in the province.

I think this is incredible news for our province. It's nice to see the government finally make the move to lift the cap on softwood, because it has a lot to do with mill closures throughout the province. Irving's plans to modernize mills throughout the province is also fantastic, especially in Doaktown and Chipman. I could almost see the $$$$ signs in Pete's eyes when he heard the announcement. Not only will jobs be created, but there's more job security as well.


http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/irving-says-it-will-spend-38m-to-modernize-sawmills-in-n-b-1.1729620

#6 Apple's iPhone recycling program expands to Canada

Source : CBC
Date : March 10, 2014

     Apple announced this week, its plan for Canadians to trade in their old iPhones at Apple Stores. Apple has had a recycling program in place in the past, but under the new plan, Canadians will be able to trade in their old iPhones for an Apple Store credit.

     Both personal and business customers are eligible to bring in their old iPhones and use the store credit as an affordable way to upgrade to a newer phone. Staff will be able to determine on the spot, the amount of the credit; depending on the condition and model of the phone, it could be worth up to a maximum of 275$.

     I think this is a genius marketing strategy, to market newer products and help sales and production continue to grow.  Many iPhone users (like myself) really want to upgrade to a newer, more improved phone, but don't want the high costs associated from providers (ex. Bell). To purchase a new Apple iPhone outright, you could be looking at spending $1000 or more. Offering an in store credit for my used iPhone may be just the incentive I need to make the purchase.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/apple-s-iphone-recycling-program-expands-to-canada-1.2567210

#5 Major marijuana grow-up to replace tobacco industry in Aylmer

    

Source : Sun News
Date : Feb. 21, 2014

     WeedMd is going to be setting up in the old Imperial Tobacco plant in Aylmer, ON and is set to become Canada's biggest legal grow op.

     Aylmer, is a small town in southern Ontario, where hundreds of tobacco jobs were snuffed out when the tobacco processing plant closed down, back in 2007 and jobs moved to Mexico.

     There is a future in pot, even the mayor in Aylmer says "it's a win win situation", and with Health Canada's regulations set to kick in April 1, WeedMD is joining others across Canada and competing to set up medical marijuana production facilities. There have been some delays, but their main priority is hiring local people.

     It's expected that 100 people will be employed over the next two years and part of the reason I choose this story is because, I know several people from Aylmer, ON and the surrounding area and over the last few years they have been hit extremely hard with job loss. Thousands of jobs were lost in the tobacco industry in 2008, when the government bought out farmers, pretty much shutting down the tobacco industry. I'm a good example of a lost farm labor job. (I worked on a Tobacco Farm for 11 Seasons) As well as tobacco jobs Aylmer has also lost jobs at local plants with Freightliner, Ford, Timken, Kellogg, Caterpillar and Magna.  It's no wonder the town has been warm and respective, with the prospect of new jobs in the production of Medical Marijuana, they are very fortunate.

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2014/02/20140221-210047.html

    

#4 Roll Up The Rim 2014 From Tim Hortons To Feature TWO Chances To Win

Date :Feb 16
Source: Huffington Post

Roll up the rim is back and to celebrate their 50th anniversary Tim Horton's is now giving coffee drinkers 2 chances to win. The bonus roll is not intended to be a permanent fixture of the contest, but rather a celebration of the iconic chain’s 50th birthday. Along with the original yellow arrow indicating  where to roll up the rim, the cups now have an additional blue arrow for the second chance. They've also increased all the prizes,  upping the grand prize from 40 cars to 50 cars for 50 years. I think Tim Horton's marking their 50 year anniversary with the increased prizes is good marketing on their behalf because it shows customer appreciation. Customers like to win prizes and since you got to play to win, it also helps increase coffee sales.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/02/16/roll-up-the-rim-2014_n_4800075.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

#3 Subway agrees to end use of controversial chemical after food blogger Vani Hari's protest

Published: Feb 6, 2014
Source: CBC

After an online petition started by Vari Hani, Subway is bowing to the public pressure and removing the chemical found in the bread of their sandwiches. It's the same chemical that's used in yoga mats and shoe soles.

The chemical "azodicarbonamide" has already been banned in Europe, as well as Britain and Australia, yet it's still in Subway bread across North America. Subway has said, that it is in  the process of phasing out the chemical with the complete conversion being soon.

Most of us, like Vani Hari, the FoodBabe.com blogger who uncovered this discovery, have been eating Subway thinking it was a healthy alternative to fast food, but the bottom line is they use chemicals to save money.

What is "azodicarbonamide?" It's used by rubber and plastic industries to produce rubber. It's also used in pesticides. Subway uses it because as a food additive it can bleach the flour and make the dough easier to work with, therefore making the cooked bread softer.

I think Subway is making the right decision to phase out this chemical in their breads as promptly as possible, because had I known I was eating a rubber found in shoe soles and yoga mats, I probably would have never eaten there!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/subway-agrees-to-end-use-of-controversial-chemical-after-food-blogger-vani-hari-s-protest-1.2525447

#2 New Brunswick Tories to deliver final budget Tuesday as election nears

Published: Feb. 3,2014
Source : The Globe and Mail

New Brunswick's Government is set to bring down the final budget today.  It's expected that the fiscal plan is going to be dripping in red ink, as we lead up to an election.  It's also been suggested the reason for the legislative assembly to assemble early, is so that they can hit the streets and start campaigning in preparation for a provincial election. Premier Alward however, brushed aside the accusations, saying an early budget helps departments with their planning.

A balanced budget is the goal of any government, but Blaine Higgs, the Finance Minister, is predicting a gloomy outlook.  The premier has stressed that better times are on the horizon, with the possibility of the Energy East Pipeline and of course the shale gas sector.

I think investing in our province is a smart move on the part of our government, even though it leaves us with a deficit, it shows that this government is on the right side of wanting to turn this economy around. Moving ahead with industry is just what this province needs!http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/new-brunswick-tories-to-deliver-final-budget-tuesday-as-election-nears/article16675788/