Take Advantage of Summer Wage Subsidies!
Many businesses hire part-time and seasonal workers in the summer months as a way to manage short term projects. However, did you know that you can hire students to help out at your small business next summer and your business can qualify for a wage subsidy? The wage subsidy can help you pay up to 50% of the salary to an eligible full-time student. In order to qualify: Students must be between 15 and 30 years old, you should have fewer than 50 full-time employees, and you need to meet the priorities set by your region. The value of the subsidy is based on the adult minimum wage in your region. To qualify, your application will first be reviewed to ensure it meets the basic eligibility requirements. It will then be assessed, on a constituency-by-constituency basis, using the following criteria: service to local communities; jobs that support local priorities; jobs that provide career-related experience or early work experience; jobs with a salary that contributes to the student’s income; employers who provide supervision and mentoring; project activities that are directed toward members of, and support the vitality of, an Official Language Minority Community; and employers who intend to hire priority students (students with disabilities, Aboriginal students and students who are members of visible minority groups). Don’t wait until summer has arrived. Your application must be submitted before March 2013! To find out more about this program, call us at 416-746-9044 or email us...
Read MoreAutumn Brings a Cooling Housing Market In 2012
The number of new homes being built in Canada fell more sharply than expected in October. Last week’s news will be welcome to the government which has repeatedly tightened mortgage rules. Meanwhile, new home prices continued their modest rise in September. Recent reports indicate that the Canadian housing market is cooling, but there is little cause for concern. Housing prices and construction soared in 2011 and the first half of 2012 thanks to low interest rates. Since then, the government has tightened the rules on mortgage lending for the fourth time since 2008 in an attempt to prevent home buyers from taking on too much debt. While this means that the housing market will not be as powerful a driver of economic growth as it was in recent years, we can expect property owners to invest in renovations and upgrading existing property to create value which will attract the few qualified buyers which are still in the market. Contractors across Canada have already taken note of the shifting market demands. Jeff Bain, owner of JKB Construction in British Columbia, has noted that renovations always pick up when sales of new homes fall. Kitchens, bathrooms and basement suites continue to be the most popular renovations, and many clients are also renovating their entire homes. While home owners may find difficulty in obtaining financing from the banks, it is important to remember that many projects qualify for rebates and tax incentives for energy efficient upgrades and installations. Such incentives are not just for residential property owners. Commercial and industrial energy efficiency projects can qualify for up to 50% of the total project costs. Sovereign Consulting will handle all of the necessary documentation to provide you with the the best value and service. For more information or a free consultation, call...
Read MorePlanning a Major Construction Project?
Time is running out for high-rise and multi-storey buildings scheduled to finish before 2015. Grants are available for energy conservation initiatives taken at the design, development and construction phases of new and existing properties. Residential, commercial, institutional or industrial projects can be reimbursed up to 50% of the costs of implementing commercially available energy-saving measures. The amount of the reimbursement will depend on the estimated energy savings, as well as the type of conservation project. Due to the vast number of programs available, there are many ways your project can qualify for these grants. Heating and air condition systems, lighting systems and controls, high-rise construction, and innovative energy saving architecture and designs are just some of the many ways to qualify. Currently, an incentive for high-rise and multi-storey buildings is expiring at the end of 2014. It is available for new buildings and major renovation projects in office buildings, industrial buildings, retail spaces, multi-residential buildings, housing complexes, colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels, and motels. If eligible, your project can receive: 100% reimbursement (up to $10,000) for modelling a building Up to $400 every kilowatt saved for lighting measures up to $800 for every kilowatt saved for non-lighting measures up to $75 per appliance All applications need to be submitted before beginning construction in order to qualify for the program. The projects must be in Ontario, comply with Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code (OBC), and be intended for commercial, institutional, industrial or multi-residential occupancy. We can provide you with the guidance you need to take advantage of these and other available financial incentives. We only charge on a contingency basis. These opportunities won’t be available forever, so call us for a free consultation at 416-746-9044 or send us an...
Read MoreGlobal Energy Career Expo 2012 Coming To Toronto
Next week, the Global Energy Career Expo arrives in Toronto to showcase career opportunities at some of the top companies in the energy and service industry. Will you be there? Metro Toronto Convention Centre Tuesday, November 6 – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 7 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm With an estimated 100,000 jobs being created over the next 8 years, employers can expect stiff competition for talented individuals entering the industry. Many of the top energy and service companies will be there to recruit for the positions in: Certified Trades Construction/Design Engineering Geotechnical Health & Safety IT/Network Administrators Land Management Project Management Schedulers/Superintendents Skilled Labour Supply Chain/Purchasing/Procurement Qualified job seekers can attend the event for free by registering online and there is still time for companies to register a spot in the exhibit. What are you waiting...
Read MoreA Silver Lining in the Wake of Natural Disasters
The end of October, 2012, has witnessed one of the largest storms in recorded history to devastate the eastern coast of North America. The estimated damage to public and private property continues to rise as the cleanup process begins. However, many economists predict a net-neutral impact on the national economies of Canada and the United States due to increased spending on construction and the re-investments required in the public and private sector. Amidst the reconstruction efforts, there are opportunities to look forward and to begin thinking about the kinds of buildings that will be in demand in the future. In the coming days and weeks, economic and ecological concerns will once again be at the forefront in the news. Throughout North America, offices, homes, and industrial buildings consume enormous amounts of energy, often unnecessarily. Inefficient heating and air conditioning systems, insulation, equipment, appliances, and construction techniques can all add up to higher operating costs for property owners in addition to causing excessive ecological harm. The destruction caused by natural disasters can give property owners and construction companies a chance to build (or rebuild) with energy efficiency in mind through the design, construction, and retrofitting of processes. We understand the challenges and the concerns faced by home and business owners. While many desire to make more ecological choices, it is not always easy to finance the next step. That is why we are offering our services to administer and secure financial grants. We work for you to submit claims with no upfront costs. Here are some of the other programs currently available in Ontario: Energy Consumption Audits High-rise and multi-story construction New Home Construction Retrofitting Small Business Lighting And more… With the professional advice and guidance we can provide, you can take the next step towards environmentally friendly operations while reducing your ongoing expenses. You have the chance to make a significant impact in your community and there is no better time to begin. Call us for a free consultation at 416-746-9044 or send us an...
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