Monday, Sept. 24:
- The House Standing Committee on Finance published responses it received as part of its 2012 pre-budget consultations.
Tuesday, Sept. 25:
- International Trade Minister Ed Fast met with his small and medium-sized enterprises advisory board to discuss the government’s emphasis on trade and the role SMEs play in economic growth and prosperity. The Minister and his board also discussed a new global commerce strategy following national consultations.
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty addressed the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, highlighting the government’s efforts to open up new markets to Canadian goods and trade.
- Statistics Canada released retail trade figures for July, 2012. Retail sales rose 0.7 per cent to $39 billion in July, making up for the decline in June. The gains were led by increased sales in motor vehicle and parts dealers, and general merchandise stores.
Wednesday, Sept. 26:
- Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose announced the appointment of executive chairman and chief strategy officer of OpenText Corp. Tom Jenkins as special adviser to the minister to help improve Canada’s defence procurement process to better support the competitiveness of Canada’s defence-related industries.
- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced the appointment of Guy Saint-Jacques as Canada’s ambassador to China. Mr. Saint-Jacques most recently served as Canada’s chief negotiator for climate change.
- Industry Minister Christian Paradis announced the appointment of senior deputy commissioner of competition, John Pecman as the interim commissioner of competition for a term of up to one year.
- Transport Minister Denis Lebel announced federal financial assistance to help Jonquière, QC, firm Inspection SEP Inc. implement measures aimed at strengthening its innovative capabilities. The $160,000 repayable contribution comes through Canada Economic Development’s Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec’s Forest Economies.
Thursday, Sept. 27:
- Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear congratulated the 24 post-secondary institutions partnering with SMEs on the $15 million applied research and commercialization initiative.
- The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada issued a request for proposals under its 2013-14 contributions program for projects designed to promote privacy and the protection of personal information in the private sector. Proposals will be accepted until Nov. 30 and should focus on one of the program’s four priority areas: identity integrity and privacy; information technology and privacy; genetic information and privacy; and public safety and privacy.
- Transport Minister Denis Lebel announced federal support to help Saint-Modeste, QC, firm Berger Peat Moss Ltd. implement a commercialization strategy in Canada, the United States and overseas. The $677,953 in repayable funding was granted through the Business and Regional Growth program.
- Statistics Canada released figures on payroll employment, earnings, and hours for July 2012. The average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees were $906.68, an increase of 1.1 per cent from the previous month. Year-over-year, earnings increased 4.1 per cent.
Friday, Sept. 28:
- The Department of Finance released the July 2012 edition of the Fiscal Monitor. The federal budgetary deficit came to $1.1 billion in July 2012, compared to $1.7 billion in July 2011.
- Industry Minister Christian Paradis announced federal government assistance to help apple grower Les Vergers Cataphard & Fils Inc. of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, QC, develop an experimental commercial process. The $150,000 in funding comes through of the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program.
Eye on the Hill is prepared by Ottawa-based government relations and communications firm Flagship Solutions.
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