The federal Conservative government’s recent budget is good news for printers. The following delights, courtesy of Finance Minister
Flaherty, will be a boon to all Canadian printers if they are implemented.
A two–year writeoff period for manufacturing and processing businesses on equipment bought after March 19, 2007 and before 2009.
There’s a nice window of opportunity to quickly ease the burden of new capital investments
An increase in the capital cost allowance on manufacturing and processing buildings—it’s now 10%, up from the previous 4%
A change in the capital cost allowance on computers to 55%, up from the previous 45%
Sean Murray, the chair of the CPIA’s government affairs committee, stated that “these changes are extremely encouraging after many years of pushing for them.”
With the Bloc Quebecois supporting the budget, the above recommendations should be law very soon—as long as another election is not on the horizon.
In new news closer to home, we’re adding two new writers to our list of already popular columnists this month—Johnathon Anderson and Les Hewitt. Johnathon brings us the first of a 5–part mini series on “Killer costing” on page 30. Costing has and continues to be a large concern in the industry, with too many printers willing to work for extremely low margins, or sometimes no margin at all. Les gives sound advice about the Four Fundamentals of Success on page 62.
We hope to see many of you at the Grafik’Art trade show in Montreal in a few weeks, from Thursday April 19 to Saturday April 21. We’re at booth 524. Stop by for a visit, we’d love to see you.
As always, stay focused and stay positive.