New Brunswick dealers learn, laugh at AGM

MONCTON, N.B. – For Marc Richard, controller for the three-store Hatheway Limited, the highlight of the New Brunswick Auto Dealer Association annual general meeting was more about business than jocularity.

“Huw Williams’ presentation on the implications of GST on finance income was definitely the highlight for me,” Richard said. “We’ve heard some horror stories of reassessments in Ontario so it was nice to see how CADA was addressing the issue and share what they would do going forward.”

Held Nov. 15 at the Delta Beauséjour in Moncton, New Brunswick, the annual gathering featured speakers offering best practices on social media, website management and brand building.

Williams, who said he couldn’t go into specific detail as the event was a dealer-only meeting, revealed CADA was continuing to work with the Canada Revenue Agency on the issue related to how GST and HST is applied to finance income.

“It’s an issue that involves a great deal of accounting expertise and legal and tax advice that has a potentially huge impact on every dealer across the country. This is CADA’s number one priority.”

He added that his presentation focused mostly on how the issue would impact attendees’ dealerships.

In addition to Williams’ presentation, speakers addressed matters like job placement in the province, issues regarding apprentice programs for technicians and problems related to language and repair information.

Justin Poy from the Justin Poy Agency addressed the importance of social media and cultivating Chinese customers

“He said there are 2,900 Chinese students in Fredericton alone,” Richard said.

NBADA was first established in 1937 and is a voluntary not for profit organization of the majority of the new vehicle franchised dealers in the province. Executive director Jane Young said approximately 90 per cent of the new vehicle franchised dealers in New Brunswick are members.

Entertainment followed the presentations.