For Immediate Release
November 26, 2007

Toronto – Ontario’s premier business advocate applauds the trade talks announced today by Premiers Dalton McGuinty and Jean Charest. 

“We’re fully supportive of efforts to eliminate trade barriers and improve labour mobility between our two provinces,” explains Len Crispino, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.  “Our members are confronted by trade obstacles every day in the course of doing business.  If we’re to build globally competitive businesses, we must first help them prosper at home.”

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce have also agreed to work together to enhance the growth of Canada’s leading trade corridor and to help facilitate a truly free market between the provinces.  The Chambers have identified four priorities:  transportation; cross-border management; trade barriers and economic development.

“As Canada’s leading trade corridor, the Quebec-Ontario Corridor is an important driver of Canada’s prosperity, and ripe for improved cooperation,” adds Crispino.

In 2002, business between Quebec and Ontario amounted to $35.8 billion.  Ontario is Quebec’s largest trading partner, ahead of New York State, while Quebec is Ontario’s second-largest trading partner, after Michigan.

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The OCC represents over 60,000 businesses through 160 local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and has been the business advocate of choice since 1911. Its advocacy and policy initiatives focus on six areas key to the economic well-being of the province: health; education; energy; finance & taxation; transportation & infrastructure; and border issues.

For further information:
Amy Terrill
Director Media Relations and Communications
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
(416) 482-5222, ext. 241
C: (416) 605-8205