Retailers Welcome Freeze on Employment Insurance Premium Rates

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) fully supports the Government's announcement today of a three-year freeze of Employment Insurance (EI) premium rates.

"The retail sector is Canada's largest employer and as a result bears the bulk of the burden of paying into the EI system.  This freeze on premiums will mean more money for employers to invest in other important areas such as employment, training and infrastructure," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of RCC.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2011 retail trade contributed $76.9 billion to Canada's GDP with employment of 2.6 million workers in Canada.  Retailers were bracing for the increases of up to 5% that were announced in the last federal budget.

"As a small business owner, I applaud Minister Flaherty for recognizing that even the smallest tax relief goes a long way to helping businesses grow and thrive, " said Misti Mussatto, Owner of Toy Jungle in Vancouver, BC and Co-Chair of MySTORE - the independent retail division of RCC.

In 2012 RCC launched MySTORE, to provide its independent retail members with a stronger voice at the local, provincial and national levels.  "We are pleased to see that voice being heard in Ottawa and we will continue to work with Minister Flaherty and his officials on key issues affecting the prosperity of our members and the Canadian economy," said Brisebois.

About Retail Council of Canada:
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has been the Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963. We speak for an industry that touches the daily lives of Canadians in every corner of the country - by providing jobs, career opportunities, and by investing in the communities we serve. RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 45,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants. RCC is a strong advocate for retailing in Canada and works with all levels of government and other stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness.

SOURCE: Retail Council of Canada

Sharon Armstrong
Retail Council of Canada
416 467-3747     1 888-373-8245 x 228
[email protected]