Important Advisory:

Modern Paving Limited wishes to advise businesses and residents that preliminary work will be commencing on the above project on July 18, 2007 in the Water Street area from Prescott Street to Temperance Street and in Queen's Cove.

Water Street and Prescott Street will remain open until approximately July 23, 2007 at which time the section of Water Street from Prescott Street to Gills Cove will be closed to through traffic. Every effort will be made to accommodate deliveries to businesses and keep pedestrian access open.

It is anticipated that Queens Cove will be closed to all traffic commencing July 18, 2007 with pedestrian access being maintained.

Modern Paving Limited apologizes for the inconvenience that the above project will cause and will attempt to keep everyone informed of the different sections of Water Street that will be closed as the project progresses throughout the next 12 months.

Contact personnel for this project are as follows:

Modern Paving Office 364 7283
Max Bennett Project Engineer 685 0395
Jim Maloney Superintendent 685 5386
Jim Brophy Foreman 691 6772

The City of St. John's Representatives for this project are:
City of St. John's Engineering Department 576 8258
John Barry Project Engineer 682 0502

Newfoundland Design Associates Ltd
Jim Aylward Project Engineer 726 4490
Bran Miller Site Inspector 682 6484

Please note, on April 1, 2007, the GST Visitor Rebate Program was eliminated. The Excise Tax Act eliminates the goods and services tax (GST) Visitor Rebate Program effective April 1, 2007.

The GST is a value-added tax that applies to the vast majority of goods and services in Canada. The Visitor Rebate Program provides GST relief in respect of goods exported from Canada by non-residents, short-term accommodation and certain tour packages for non-residents, and certain property and services used in the course of conventions held in Canada.

The changes were announced by the Government of Canada on September 25, 2006.

The proposed amendments are as follows:

Goods
Non-resident consumers that purchase goods in Canada on which the GST becomes payable after March 31, 2007, would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of those goods. However, GST would continue not to apply where goods are shipped directly by the Canadian supplier to the non-resident’s residence. (The shipping charges are also not subject to GST.)

Non-resident businesses would still be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of commercial goods exported. (Not for personal use.)

Non-resident businesses would also be able to avail themselves of the existing zero-rating provisions for commercially exported goods.

Accommodation
Non-residents would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of accommodation (including campsite fees) after March 31, 2007, unless it is part of a continuous accommodation at the same facility starting before April 1, 2007.

This GST rebate would continue to be available in respect of accommodation purchased under a written agreement entered into before Announcement Date if the first night of continuous accommodation at the same facility starts before April 1, 2009.

For more information please visit the Government of Canada website at www.fin.gc.ca/drleg/06-049_1e.html

Over the next eight weeks, Rachel and Shane, the DDC’s newest Tourist Information Ambassadors will be hitting the streets downtown providing tourist information from the multi-colored DDC Tourist Information Cart.

Rachel and Shane will assist visitors to the area and provide information on businesses and services located in the Downtown BIA (Business Improvement Area). Throughout the months of July and August, the Ambassadors will move around the core of Downtown with the information cart, providing information. During cruise ship visits, Rachel and Shane will assist visiting passengers dockside and direct them into the Downtown.

If you have brochures you would like displayed please drop them off anytime at the information cart to Rachel and Shane or at the DDC office at 155 Water Street. Please note DDC Members information only will be displayed on the Information Cart. If you have any questions please call 579 4139.