Member Profile: Canadian Payroll Association

As the authoritative source of Canadian payroll knowledge, the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) delivers programs and services that enable payroll practitioners, service providers and other business professionals to remain current with regulatory requirements, payroll technology and industry best practices.

The CPA holds more than 350 professional development seminars across Canada each year to address key payroll topics, from general to senior management levels.

With over 17,000 organization and individual members, CPA events are both excellent education and invaluable networking opportunities.








Contact Info:
Kristina Bruce, Regional Coordinator – Atlantic and Pacific Regions
1-888-729-7652 x128
Kristina.bruce@payroll.ca
www.payroll.ca 

Press Release

No surprise that the City’s budget is forecasting red


Halifax, NS- December 9, 2009– The Chamber isn’t surprised to hear that the city is forecasting a deficit next year. The 2010-2011 financial forecast was presented yesterday and the budget is in the red to the tune of $30 million.

 “Mayor and Council shouldn’t be surprised by this forecast either,” says Valerie Payn, Chamber President. “ The city knew that assessments were going to be down.”

In the Chamber’s pre-budget submission to Council, the Chamber stated that given the economic downturn and the expected decrease in tax revenue, the city should be saving today, in order to prepare for tomorrow. “City staff recommended during last year’s budget presentation that any savings realized be deposited into a variable operating stabilization reserve to offset future economic events. Obviously, the deposits into that rainy day fund were few and far between,” continues Payn.

There’s no doubt that the city wanted to take full advantage of funding matching opportunities with other levels of government. However, this shouldn’t be sending the city into the red.

“We couldn’t agree more with the statement in the budget presentation that the city’s budget is a tool to help support the Economic Strategy,” says Payn. “Replenishing the strategic growth reserve is important so that the city is ready to move fast when funding is available from other levels of government. There has been buzz in the business community recently about whether or not the city was quick enough out  the gate to take full advantage of stimulus funds available this year.”

 

The bleak fiscal forecast is all the more reason for the Chamber to continue to support both tax reform and the city’s service review plan. According to Payn, “The Chamber is not calling for tax hikes and service cuts, but rather feels another run at tax reform and a tough review of the services that the city is providing will help the city tackle its future financial hurdles.”

 

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For more information contact:
Janet Creamer
Communications Manager
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
902-481-1240
Cell: 902-499-6494
janet@halifaxchamber.com