Atlantic Canada
L-R: Bill Yetman, RCC; Tracy Hannah, Nova Scotia Department of Justice; Nova Scotia Justice
Minister Murray Scott; Steve Matyas, STAPLES Business Depot; Derek Nighbor, RCC. |
Atlantic Ministers Responsible for Small Business. RCC and other business associations met with the four Atlantic Canadian Ministers responsible for small business issues. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to streamline regulations across Atlantic provincial borders in order to remove costly red tape measures for small- and mediumsized retailers. RCC will continue the dialogue with the four governments to ensure that the concerns of RCC's SME members in Atlantic Canada are addressed.
Atlantic Solid Waste Resource Committee Industry Consultation. RCC drafted a submission to the Atlantic Solid Waste Resource Committee Industry Consultation regarding their proposed Atlantic Regional Model for Consumer Paint Product Stewardship.
Atlantic Canada Electronic Stewardship. RCC worked closely with Electronics Product Stewardship Canada on the development of an Electronic Waste Stewardship program plan for Nova Scotia. As a result of RCC's efforts, retailers have the flexibility to display the Environment Handling Fee associated with the program visibly, as a separate line item on the sales receipt, if retailers choose; there is no mandatory return-to-retail collection associated with the new program; and retailers have two seats on the new Atlantic Canada Electronic Stewardship Board of Directors, as well as a non-voting observer status seat held by RCC. RCC worked closely with its members to ensure they were prepared for the program, which launched Feb. 1, 2008.
Nova Scotia and Workplace Violence. RCC contributed to the Government of Nova Scotia's discussion paper on a strategy to address the risk of workplace violence in the province. RCC made a formal submission to the Nova Scotia Government to provide clarity for Nova Scotia employers by defi ning the term "workplace violence" and also helped to develop a comprehensive strategy so that the province may address this issue through a variety of regulatory and non-regulatory measures.
L-R: Steve Winter, Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corp.; Derek Nighbor, RCC; N.L. Premier Danny Williams; Steve Matyas, STAPLES Business Depot; Bill Yetman, RCC. |
Late Changes to Retail Holiday Hours in Nova Scotia. In December 2007, the Nova Scotia government introduced a bill to prohibit retailers from opening on statutory holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day of that year. The bill became law shortly after the proposal. RCC was able to act quickly to relay this untimely legislative change to our members in advance of the looming holiday season.
Addressing Retail Crime in Newfoundland and Labrador. RCC met with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, Justice Minister Tom Osborne and senior offi cials with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary to share concerns about rising retail crime in the province. RCC also shared some of the best practices information that it is sharing with its members to help them protect their employees, their customers and their businesses.
Nova Scotia Looks to Enhance Compassionate Care Leave. RCC was actively involved in Nova Scotia's consultations on expanding the defi nition of "family member" for the purposes of compassionate care leave, as outlined in the province's Labour Standards Code. Although the Code provided for Compassionate Care Leave, RCC recommended the province harmonize with the federal benefit offered by Employment Insurance.
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