http://www.retailcouncil.org Notices/Alerts - Retail Council of Canada Copyright 2011, Retail Council of Canada http://www.retailcouncil.org/grocery/20130429_sowhousing.asp The Retail Council of Canada believes that sows should be housed in an environment where their pregnancy, health and well-being are taken into highest consideration; and that the selection of sow housing be based on a combination of sound science, stakeholder expectations and the long term viability of the industry. April 29, 2013 https://portal.retailcouncil.org/mrm/Hub/ViewDocuments.aspx?LID=Industry_2013-the-im Highlights - Why are US logistics costs lower? - Parcel rates can limit small e-tailers - Why size matters in e-commerce logistics http://www.retailcouncil.org/advocacy/man/issues/finance/notice20130418.asp Manitoba’s 2013 Provincial Budget delivered the worst possible news for Manitoba retailers and their customers with the announcement that Manitoba’s Retail Sales Tax will be increasing from 7 to 8 percent on July 1, 2013. Manitoba law requires the provincial government to hold a referendum in order to raise the PST. Today Premier Greg Selinger announced that his government is scrapping that law and moving forward with the sales tax increase. April 18, 2013 http://www.retailcouncil.org/advocacy/que/issues/hr/notice20130409.asp On January 9th, the government published draft regulations in the Gazette officielle, which modify the Regulation respecting labour standards and the Regulation respecting labour standards specific to certain sectors of the apparel industry. April 9, 2013 http://www.retailcouncil.org/mediacentre/newsreleases/pr20130404.asp Shopping carts full of grocery innovation have made it to the checkout line. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) today announced the finalists for the 20th annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. April 4, 2013 http://www.retailcouncil.org/advocacy/nfld/issues/finance/notice20130404.asp The Newfoundland and Labrador government tabled its 2013-14 budget featuring no tax increases and steps towards cutting government spending. April 4, 2013 http://www.retailcouncil.org/advocacy/nb/issues/finance/notice20130403.asp The New Brunswick government tabled its 2013-14 budget featuring corporate and personal tax increases. Following RCC’s advocacy in the pre-budget consultation process, the government did not increase the HST and did not implement highway tolls. April 3, 2013 http://www.retailcouncil.org/advocacy/sask/issues/finance/notice20130328.asp Saskatchewan’s 2013 Provincial Budget focused on maintaining fiscal discipline while continuing investments in the Wall Government’s key priority areas: healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic growth. Finance Minister Ken Krawetz introduced a balanced budget without any significant tax increases, one of the few balanced provincial budgets expected this year. The province is projecting balanced budgets for at least the next three years. The provincial debt is projected to remain flat at $3.8 billion in 2013-14 and to be decreased to $3.4 billion by 2017. March 28, 2013 http://bit.ly/102Ccv2 On March 25th, Minister Flaherty tabled the 2013 Economic Action Plan which included details on tariff elimination of baby clothing and sporting equipment, as well as the government plans to address the General Preferential Tariff (see the following link for full Budget details). As well, please find attached details of the tariff elimination. April 3, 2013 http://bit.ly/XFMWAY Retailers are the storefront to British Columbia’s economy Retail’s Election. B.C. Retailers NEED:.. http://bit.ly/16tyEoc Facing declining resource revenue and escalating operating costs, Finance Minister Doug Horner introduced Alberta’s first budgeted operating deficit in over 20 years. Titled Responsible Change, Alberta’s 2013 Provincial Budget will see the Alberta government borrow billions over the next three years for capital construction projects and drain the province’s Sustainability Fund while trying to hold the line on government operational spending.