To enhance our policy development at the Chamber, and to expand our stewardship role in the province, the Chamber has developed the following key initiatives or signature streams:

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is ready and well positioned to ignite hope in the future of Ontario and to inspire the articulation of a dream.

Through an innovative consultation process involving representatives of business, labour and academia representing various geographic regions in Ontario, the OCC formulated a vision for Ontario as a “Magnet for the World”.

Utilizing a grassroots awareness campaign involving multiple partners, the OCC will continue to promote the vision as a strategic advantage.

The OCC’s external portfolio will be consolidated to focus efforts on key international and interprovincial markets in order to foster further diversification of Ontario’s economy and trade efforts.

Building on the success of efforts in Washington relating to border and trade issues, the OCC will further cultivate its activities in India as they relate to infrastructure development opportunities, Hong Kong, as the gateway to the burgeoning Chinese market, and Ontario-Quebec as Canada’s leading trade corridor.

Having achieved significant progress and awareness of the fiscal imbalance between the Federal and Provincial governments, where many have failed before, the OCC will continue to champion this vital issue for the economic security of Ontario.

The Chamber has been successful in achieving equal per capita health and social transfers and a fairer allocation of infrastructure money.

The OCC will continue to push for fairness as the whole economy is at stake.

Several areas of opportunity have been identified for partnerships with the provincial government, and enhanced service to business.

Already the OCC has earned an important role in the support of Ontario firms wishing to diversify their exports, or to better integrate internationally trained professionals.

Meanwhile, the chamber brand in Ontario is being defined and strengthened in conjunction with the local chamber network throughout the province.

The OCC and OES will continue to strengthen the informed analysis portion of their operations and will engage other thought leaders throughout the province to contribute to the research.

A new policy framework and task force structure will help drive these efforts to focus on areas for economic renewal and business competitiveness.

In conjunction with the Vision for Ontario, this initiative will enable the OCC to celebrate the contributions individuals and organizations have made to the success of Ontario and beyond.