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| January 19, 2011 | Vol 8, Issue1 |
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Greetings! |
I hope your new year is off to a great start. Early signs are pointing to continued modest strengthening of the Canadian economy. We are fortunate that our unemployment rate is declining, and our housing sector has been resilient to this point. Both of these indicators are good news for the relocation industry.
I am delighted to announce that Catherine O'Neill has recently joined the CERC team and will head up our marketing and membership services portfolio. Catherine is a professional marketing manager with a wealth of experience gained in both private industry and the not for profit sector, working with the Canadian Medical Association. You can write to Catherine at coneill@cerc.ca
The 2011 Member Roster is now available for download. Please take a moment to review your contact information. You can update your information on the CERC website, simply login and visit the roster page to make changes to your profile.
The report of the CERC Member Satisfaction Survey is currently being compiled and members will be able to access the full report on the CERC website shortly. We received some excellent suggestions and ideas for moving forward and improving on the services CERC currently provides.
Don't forget to mark September 25-27 in your calendar for the CERC Annual Conference in Calgary.
As always if you have ideas for magazine articles, presentations, webinars, new services or service improvements please write to us.
All the best,
Steve
Stephen Cryne
President & CEO
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Don't Miss!
View our full list of upcoming events.
Regional EventsJanuary 25, 2011 Edmonton February 9, 2011 Vancouver Toronto HRPA Trade Show CERC will be exhibiting at the HRPA Trade show February 2-4 2011 . Download your complimentary tradeshow pass and be sure to stop by the CERC booth and say hello. |
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Federal Budget - 2011 | |
The Minister of Finance is currently consulting with business and Canadians about the 2011 federal budget. CERC wrote to the Minister outlining our suggestions to the treatment of employee relocation benefits and moving allowances.
The mobility of Canada's workforce - the freedom of workers to practice their occupation wherever opportunities exist - is vitally important to our nation's economic recovery and future prosperity. Federal income tax policies play an important role in enhancing the mobility of Canada's workforce.
Read the CERC Submission Read More |
Global Talent Risks |
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its latest report on the need for greater talent mobility to ease the looming talent shortage. According to the report the talent gap is a challenge for employers everywhere. To sustain economic growth, by 2030 the United States will need to add more than 25 million workers and Europe will need to add more than 24 million employees. Quebec Premier Jean Charest has played a key role in the work of the WEF.
In writing the foreword for the report Mr. Charest had this to say," A global problem calls for a global solution, and we believe that the reallocation of talent through mobility schemes is an integral part of the answer."
Read More Please note this is a large file and may take time to load.
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Talent and performance issues lie at the heart of an emerging global growth agenda | |
As businesses begin to emerge - however slowly - from the worst global recession in decades, many are starting to refocus on growth, albeit with varying levels of aggressiveness. The biggest workforce obstacle to achieving this growth, according to the results of a recent global survey of over 700 companies, is finding and keeping talent.
Read More
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Canadian housing market heading into a strong year
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A new survey says Canada's real estate market is heading into a stronger-than-expected year that will likely see home prices steadily rise, while overall transactions moderate.
Royal LePage House Price Survey reports that the average price of a home in Canada increased between 3.9 and 4.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to 2009. Average home prices are expected to rise 3 per cent to $348,600 in 2011, while the number of transactions is predicted to fall 2 per cent.
The home values are forecast to continue a moderate and steady climb in many of the country's key housing markets through 2011 with sales activity skewed to the first half of the year, according to the and Market Survey Forecast
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New mortgage rules for Canadian borrowers
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The Minister of Finance has introduced new mortgage rules that limits amortization periods for government backed mortgages. The new rules also lower the maximum amount Canadians can borrow in refinancing their mortgages to 85 per cent from 90 per cent of the value of their homes. Withdraw government insurance backing on lines of credit secured by homes, such as home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs has also been withdrawn. The new rules take effect April 18, 2011.
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Mileage rates remain unchanged in 2011 |
The limit on the deduction of tax-exempt allowances paid by employers to employees using their personal vehicle for business purposes for 2011 will remain at 52 cents per kilometer for the first 5,000 kilometers driven and 46 cents for each additional kilometer. For Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the tax-exempt allowance will remain at 56 cents for the first 5,000 kilometers driven and 50 cents for each additional kilometer.
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U.S. Government introduces changes to Immigration Handbook for Employers |
On January 11, 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new version of the M-274 Handbook for Employers, instructions for completing the I-9 Form. The guide includes directions for H1-B visa holders.
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Canada EU trade talks continue
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The next round of talks between Canada and the European Union for a trade agreement are now underway and is scheduled to continue until Friday, January 21, 2011, in Brussels. According to the government press release, significant progress has been made and "The Canada-European Union trade negotiations represent our most significant trade initiative since the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement will boost two-way trade between Canada and the European Union, while creating jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."
Canada and the EU have held five successful rounds of negotiations toward an agreement since October 2009. The seventh round of negotiations is scheduled for April in Ottawa. The agreement is expected to include labour mobility provisions that are more open than current provisions contained in the NAFTA
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British Government to scrap compulsory retirement age | |
Effective October 2011, compulsory retirement, regardless of age, will be unlawful age discrimination and potential unfair dismissal unless employers can justify their reasons as a "proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim".
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Thanks for doing your job!
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Regular praise for a job well done will go a long way to motivating even greater performance from your employees.
Read More |
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How a good leader reacts to a crisis | |
This short article in the Harvard Business Review offers five practical steps for successfully dealing with a crisis
Read more |
| CERC Careers | |
Employers - post your positions or search resumes from registered prospective employees.
Job Seekers- search positions (simply insert Relocation into the keyword search) and post your resume online at the CERC Career Centre.
Canada-Ontario-Mississauga | Nancy Samuels, Employment Consultant
Canada-Ontario-Toronto | Manulife Financial
Canada-Ontario-Toronto| Crown RelocationsCanada-Ontario-Toronto | Crown Relocations |
 E-News Sponsor |
The CERC E-News is emailed each month to approximately 1,900 subscribers. There is one sponsorship opportunity available each month. Sponsor logos are linked to a landing page, which provides a sponsor bio and links to the sponsor's website. If you are interested in sponsorship please fill out and submit the form in the link below. E-News Sponsorship Submission Form
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Help spread the word about CERC. Forward this E-News to a friend or colleague by clicking on the link above. We hope that you continue to enjoy receiving this electronic update. This monthly compilation of articles from wire services, newspapers, and other sources is intended to keep CERC members and visitors to cerc.ca informed of trends and news in mobility, HR developments and general business news from Canada and around the world. Facts have not been independently verified, and opinions expressed are those of the editor. Readers are invited to clarify, correct, or expand on these items. If you have an idea for a story, or would like to contribute an article, please send an email to info@cerc.ca. Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC)
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1506
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8 Tel: 416-593-9812 Toll Free: 1-866-357-CERC (2372) Fax: 416-593-1139 Leadership for Workforce Mobility |
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