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 Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness for 2013 - Canadian Chamber
Last year the Canadian Chamber of Commerce implemented the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness initiative, which was focused on bringing direct attention to the greatest impediments holding back Canada's economy. With Prime Minister Harper recently announcing that overcoming the skills crisis is now the government's biggest challenge, the Canadian Chamber will be building on this initiative in 2013.
The Top 10 list for 2013 reflects the consultations held earlier this year. The skills issue remains the main priority in the year ahead, along with the need to reform Canada's immigration policy, foster strong educator-employer connections and improve Aboriginal education and workforce development.
The 2013 Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness will be launched in February of 2013, with more information about how chambers and businesses can get involved in tackling the skills issue which is so critical for our economy.
Procurement Ombudsman - Federal dispute resolution for businesses
The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman (OPO, the Office) is an independent organization with a mandate to promote fairness, openness and transparency in federal procurement. The Office assists businesses selling to the federal government who are having contract issues.
The Office offers businesses a dispute resolution service when they become entangled in contract disputes with departments by reviewing administration of a contract for the acquisition of goods or services. There is no fee for this service and any agreement resulting from the process is confidential and legally binding, making it an inexpensive and quick way for businesses to tackle prickly disputes.
BC Chamber members should contact the OPO (1-866-734-5169) if they are experiencing difficulty in dealing with a government department, if they suspect a contract may have been inappropriately awarded or if they have requested a debriefing and have not received one.
Consumer Protection BC: Improving customer service
Consumer Protection BC is offering a free, simple online dispute resolution (ODR) tool to help resolve consumer complaints quickly and efficiently.
The steps in the ODR tool are: (1)Disputes are initiated online by the consumer; (2)Your business receives an email invitation to participate; (3) Both parties enter information and upload any documentation relevant to the dispute; (4) Together, the two parties work towards an acceptable resolution; (5) If required, mediation services can be requested by either party.
ODR offers the opportunity for your customer to feel heard and communicate to you what they are seeking as a solution from the convenience of a computer. Take a look at the platform at resolveyourdispute.ca or call Consumer Protection BC at 1.888.564.9963.
Music Licencing and Your Business: Different rights, different collectives
The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and its predecessors have existed in Canada for well over 80 years - so the idea of businesses compensating songwriters and music publishers for music played in the workplace is not new.
However, under a relatively new addition to the Copyright Act record companies and performers are also entitled to compensation for public performances of their work. The organization that administers this right in Canada is Re:Sound (formerly the Neighbouring Rights Collective of Canada [NRCC]). Much like SOCAN, the tariffs that apply to their members' work are set by the Copyright Board of Canada, to whom they must apply for approval of their tariffs each year.
Please note that the two organizations are not affiliated, and you are encouraged to find out more by visiting www.resound.ca or the Copyright Board of Canada's website at www.cb-cda.gc.ca/.
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