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Budget 2022 Proposal Aims to Support Small Businesses
The government of Canada is proposing new measures in “Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable” to support small and medium-sized businesses to “grow, innovate and stay competitive while creating good, middle-class jobs.” “When we support our small businesses, we support our workers, our communities and our economy,” Prime…
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Manufacturing: How to Safely Handle Hazardous Waste
Every year, approximately 6 million tonnes of hazardous waste are produced in Canada. Hazardous waste includes a range of residues from industrial production—such as solvents, acids and bases—leftovers from oil refining, the manufacturing of chemicals and metal processing. The nature and concentration of certain chemicals in many wastes make them potentially dangerous to the environment…
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The Impact of Employee Mental Health and Well-being on Workplaces
Employee well-being refers to the overall state of employees’ physical, mental, social and financial health, which can often be influenced by various workplace dynamics (e.g., workload, connections with co-workers and available resources). While employee well-being plays a key role in employee retention, it also has a significant impact on business performance. As a result, it’s…
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Cybersecurity Tips for Business Travellers
Organizations face heightened cybersecurity risks when their employees travel. Business travellers are prime targets for cybercriminals, as they often carry valuable data and may not always be careful about securing their devices. This article discusses key cybersecurity exposures for business travellers and outlines steps employers can take to mitigate these risks. Cybersecurity Threats While Travelling…
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How to Reduce the Risk of Back Injuries On-site
Construction tasks often require working with heavy equipment and being in situations that can cause serious injuries. These tasks, such as lifting heavy objects, can result in debilitating and long-lasting back issues when not properly executed. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of any potential risks and to know how to prevent these types of…
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Canada Delays ELD Mandate Enforcement Until 2023
Since June 12, 2021, all federally regulated motor carriers that operate in Canada have been required to use an electronic logging device (ELD) in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This standard applies to Canadian motor carriers as well as motor carriers based in the United States that are operating in Canada. However, Canadian Minister of Transport…
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The Impact of Inflation on the Commercial Insurance Market
Over the past year, inflation has become a growing concern. Inflation issues have largely resulted from a culmination of labour and supply trends brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are clearly reflected within the country’s rising Consumer Price Index (CPI). According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, consumer prices increased 5.7 per…
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How Truckers Can Stay Healthy for the Long Haul
The trucking industry is one of the largest employers in North America. In fact, in Canada alone, there are more than 300,000 drivers. Truckers have to work in unique conditions that can take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. These conditions often mean irregular schedules, long hours, minimal physical activity, limited access to…
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Tips for Saving on Gas
Spending money on gas is inevitable when you drive a vehicle. Although it’s hard to avoid spending money on gas, there are ways you can save the amount you’re spending. To start saving, practise the following gas-saving driving tips: By taking the time to practise gas-saving tips, you can help save yourself money bit by…
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Smishing Explained
Most businesses and individuals are familiar with phishing, a cyberattack technique that entails cybercriminals leveraging fraudulent emails to manipulate recipients into sharing sensitive information, clicking malicious links or opening harmful attachments. While these email-based scams remain a pressing concern, a new form of phishing—known as smishing—has emerged over the years, creating additional cyber exposures for…
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Stay Active While Working From Home
Working from home has many perks, but it may leave you at risk of developing a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits. It may be easy to forget about exercise when you’re home all day. The good news is you’re in control of keeping yourself active while also getting your work done; it all comes down…
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The Supply Chain Crisis and Business Resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a supply chain crisis as businesses were forced to halt operations to slow the spread of the virus and prioritize employee health and safety measures. In addition, consumer demand is increasing, especially for automobiles, furniture, building equipment and appliances. As business operations begin to normalize, the exploding consumer demand is causing…
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Benefits of Commercial General Liability Insurance
Even in the most well-run organizations accidents happen. Whether these incidents result in property damage, bodily injury or both, they can be costly to deal with. As such, it is important for all businesses to be covered for various possible risks through a commercial general liability (CGL) policy. A CGL policy protects a business by…
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Important Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses
High-profile cyberattacks at large companies have generated national headlines and raised awareness for the growing threat of cybercrime. Despite these attacks, almost half of Canadian small businesses say they do not allocate any portion of their annual operating budget to cybersecurity, according to a survey conducted by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Last year, 41…
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The Case for Considering “Boomerang” Employees
Employers are having a hard time finding talent right now. Talent pools that have proven successful for years have suddenly dried up, forcing workplaces to get creative. One recent approach has been to hire, seek out or re-recruit “boomerang” employees—workers who used to work at an organization, left voluntarily and now wish to return. Boomerang…
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Preventing Hearing Loss at Worksites
There are many potential risks on worksites due to the equipment and tools used. It’s essential to be aware of these dangers and do everything possible to protect workers and team members. One common risk on worksites is loud noises that could eventually lead to hearing loss. The best method to prevent noise-induced hearing loss…
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Spring Maintenance Recommendations for Commercial Buildings
While spring can be a beautiful season of new growth, it can also be messy as snow melts and salt marks mar floors and walkways. Once the snow has melted, it’s time to clean and perform maintenance tasks to prepare for the change in season. The following tips will help reinvigorate any commercial property and…
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5 Reasons Small Businesses Should Think ‘Outside-the-Box’ When it Comes to Their Financing Options
*This post is from CMB partner Essex Lease. Visit them for flexible lending solutions. At Essex Lease Financial, we hear time and time again from business owners who are frustrated with their bank. Whether experiencing a lack of trust, navigating endless bureaucracy, or dealing with inflexible lending terms, many business owners feel that working with a…
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The Importance of Hard Hats
Hard hats are crucial pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) while on the job. Wearing this PPE can make all the difference in protecting employees like you from severe head injuries. Hard hats are required on many job sites by the Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety, regardless of whether hazards are immediately visible….
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Health and Wellness Guide: Grief
Grief is a reaction to a major loss. It is often an unhappy and painful emotion triggered by the death of a loved one or a life-changing event, such as the loss of a job or end of a relationship. People can also experience grief due to an illness or a chronic condition that regularly…
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A Quarter of Canadian Companies Experienced a Cyberattack in 2021
A quarter of Canadian businesses say they experienced a cyberattack in 2021, according to a 2022 survey commissioned by technology firm NOVIPRO. Of those businesses, more than half (56 per cent) paid the ransom demanded by hackers, a third hired a negotiator and a quarter elected to handle the situation without using a third party….
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What is umbrella insurance?
Unfortunately, accidents happen — and it’s not uncommon for jury awards and out-of court settlements to run into the millions of dollars. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the monetary consequences of the risks you and your family take each day, are you certain your current liability insurance offers you enough protection? For example, what if:…
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Cyber Risks: Penetration Testing Explained
Keeping workplace technology up and running is vital to any organization’s success. While this task seems feasible, it’s growing harder and harder each year as cybercriminals expand their reach. It’s not enough to simply protect workplace technology with software and security protocols. It’s also critical for your organization to test the overall effectiveness of these…
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Portable Electric Tool Safety
As employees go about their work tasks that involve portable electric tools, they may not give much thought to the hazards electricity can pose. That is why it is so important to take the proper safety precautions at all times. Causes of Shocks Electricity travels in closed circuits, normally through a conductor. However, sometimes a…
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Flammable and Combustible Liquid Safety
Flammable and combustible liquids may be present in your workplace. If these liquids aren’t handled and stored properly, they can create a dangerous work environment, even causing fires and explosions that could result in potential injuries or fatalities. Therefore, it’s critical for all employees to understand flammable and combustible liquid safety measures. A flammable liquid…
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Case Study: Why One Business Owner Switched Their Financing Needs to Essex – and Why They Say They’ll Never Go Back
*This post is from CMB partner Essex Lease. Visit them for flexible lending solutions. The Business A family-owned trucking business in the aggregate industry in Central Alberta. The Challenge As a long-term customer at a major bank, this business had never missed a payment – so they were surprised when the bank suddenly called in their…
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Prevent Flash Mob Robberies
Organized retail crime (ORC) refers to large-scale shoplifting incidents or other illegal (and sometimes violent) acts conducted by groups of criminals with the purpose of stealing significant amounts of merchandise. ORC has become a growing concern for retail businesses in recent years. In fact, Canadian retailers estimate that ORC costs them more than $4.6 billion…
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How to Safely Implement Nanotechnology
The manufacturing industry continues to grow and evolve as exciting innovations emerge. One innovation that has been a hot topic of discussion is nanotechnology, which is the control of matter on a molecular scale between 1 and 100 nanometers. This intricate methodology involves processing tiny materials to produce nanoparticles or nanomaterials. Nanoparticles are already being…
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Ways Businesses Can Reduce Their Carbon Footprint
Climate change continues to be a concern due to its negative impacts, such as shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, rising sea levels that increase the risk of flood and an overall increase in severe weather conditions. To avert the worst impacts of climate change, the Government of Canada is committed to achieving net-zero…
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The Top Three Solutions We Give Our Customers Through Asset-Based Lending
*This post is from CMB partner Essex Lease. Visit them for flexible lending solutions. Finding the right lending solutions is one of the principal challenges a business owner will face. When cash flow directly impacts your ability to leverage opportunities for growth or manage the unexpected, working with the right lending partner will ultimately play…
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The U.S. Now Requires Cross-border Truck Drivers to Be Vaccinated for COVID-19
On Jan. 20, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released requirements for non-U.S. individual travellers who arrive via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes cross-border truck drivers. These requirements went into effect on Jan. 22, 2022. The new…
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Managing the Mental Health of Returning Employees
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of daily life. Businesses are closed or have reduced capabilities, individuals are worried about their physical and financial safety, and no one knows when circumstances will improve. These and other factors illustrate the burdens individuals must endure during the pandemic. When businesses begin to reopen, employers must…
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How to protect your car from hail damage in Alberta
According to the the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the frequency, severity and cost of severe weather events are rising across the country. From June until September, it’s hail season in Alberta and the Prairies. Properties in these regions are at risk of damage due to hail, heavy rainfall and strong winds. Tips when hail strikes…
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Lifting Safety Measures
There are many tasks that may require you to lift heavy objects on the job. Although these everyday tasks may seem harmless, they have the potential to cause serious injuries that can permanently impact your life if they aren’t performed safely. Some common workplace activities that may involve lifting heavy items include: Overexertion and trauma…
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How to Detect a Phishing Campaign
Each year, cybercriminals get smarter and find new ways to get personal information from online users. A common method cybercriminals use is phishing campaigns. Phishing is an attempt by a third party to solicit confidential information from an individual, group or organization by mimicking or spoofing a specific brand, usually for financial gain. Statistics Canada…
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Trucking: Winter Driving Safety Tips
Driving during the winter can be dangerous for even the most experienced drivers, but being prepared can help alleviate some of the risks. Preparing for winter driving is the best way to protect drivers and others on the road. The following are a few winter driving safety tips for truck drivers: These safety tips will…
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How to Manage Working in Cold Conditions
Winter brings harsh, cold weather, but construction projects still need to be done. Working outside in winter might be unavoidable at times, but many methods can be used to stay safe and reduce the risks that cold conditions can present. The risk of cold injury can be minimised through proper equipment design, safety work practices…
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Workplace Trends to Know for 2022
The beginning of the year is often met with reflections on the past and predictions for the future. Workplaces experienced dramatic changes in 2021; along with these, there are some trends are on the horizon for the new year. Here are a few of the most significant workplace trends for 2022: Overall, workplaces are transitioning…
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Manufacturing : Poisonous Gas Exposures
Staying safe from toxic gases on the manufacturing floor The presence of toxic gas in a manufacturing environment is especially dangerous because the substances often exist in a confined space with limited escape paths. Workers on the manufacturing floor have the potential for exposure to many kinds of toxic gases. It is important to recognize…
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Oil and Gas Workplace Stress
Focus on what you can control Many people consider their jobs to be stressful. While specific sources of stress and how we cope differ from person to person, many of us especially struggle to deal with factors out of our control. Studies show the oil and gas industry has a high proportion of workers suffering…