The Council, first announced in the 2012 Ontario Budget in March, will be composed of leaders from business, labour, academia, government and non-government organizations, with a mandate of improving Ontario’s long-term productivity and competitiveness.

“Innovation and productivity are imperative to growing the Ontario economy,” said Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “With the focus on competitiveness, we encourage private sector consultation throughout the course of the Council’s work to ensure the decisions made will spur growth among Ontario businesses and economic development for the province.”

Becoming a productivity leader through innovation is the first of five strategic priorities outlined in Emerging Stronger: A Transformative Agenda for Ontario, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s economic vision for the province. In addition, the OCC’s Ontario Economic Summit is currently engaging business and civic leaders in communities across the province and gathering their input on how to tackle this critical issue. 

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For further information or to schedule an interview, contact:

 ST. CATHARINES: The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce wins provincial Advocacy Award for removing obstacles that prevent local businesses from accessing timely and helpful government program expertise and funds.

From a large and diverse field of entries, Ontario’s Big Nickel city Chamber placed first for their Municipal Red Tape Task Force, which identified 22 issues and processes that businesses felt were inhibitors to development and competitiveness.  The Red Tape report was received warmly by Sudbury city council and senior city staff began to work immediately with the Chamber to develop solutions to each issue. 

 “Our members view the Chamber’s advocacy efforts in a very positive light,” says Debbi Nicholson, President and CEO of the Greater Sudbury Chamber.  “We have developed strong relationships with community stakeholders and are proud to have been able to engage our members in issues that matter to them.”

The Advocacy Award was presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 100th Annual General Meeting and Convention in St. Catherines on May 5, 2012.

The Advocacy Award is among several awards presented to chambers of commerce for excellence in leadership and delivery of impactful innovative programs and services.  The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce as a member, and as a community leader. 

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ST. CATHARINES: The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce wins provincial Advocacy Award for implementing an innovative government relations strategy that saw the Chamber’s goals and interests reflected in municipal, provincial and federal candidate platforms.

The Advocacy Award was presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 100th Annual General Meeting and Convention in St. Catherines on May 5, 2012.

“The innovative election strategy successfully raised the Chamber profile and enhanced our relevance within the political process,” said Matt Marchand, President & CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. “And, perhaps most importantly, it provided a valuable public service and value for our members.”

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce represents a cross-section of approximately 1,300 small and large businesses ranging from service to retail to manufacturing.  Their members employ 40,000 people and generate $10 billion in sales.

The Advocacy Award is among several awards presented to chambers of commerce for excellence in leadership and delivery of impactful innovative programs and services.  The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce as a member, and as a community leader. 

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ST. CATHARINES: The Oakville Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in raising awareness about air quality issues at the provincial level by encouraging the province to make Oakville the first municipality in Ontario to participate in a multi-stakeholder air quality pilot project.

This work was recognized this weekend in St. Catharines with an Ontario Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Award.

“Clean air is important to everybody – individuals, businesses and governments,” saysJohn Sawyer, president of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. “Air quality is a cross-border issue, and to deal with it most effectively we need the provincial government to take the lead role. They are doing that. We therefore applaud the province’s work in bringing together a range of stakeholders – including residents, municipalities and the Chamber – in taking on this important initiative.”

As part of their advocacy efforts, the Oakville Chamber of Commerce called on the provincial government in 2009 to take the lead on air quality policies across Ontario. Other stakeholders were part of the dialogue, and in August 2011 the province then announced a local air quality pilot project in the Oakville-Clarkson air shed.  Premier Dalton McGuinty praised the pilot as an example of “effective multi-stakeholder engagement.”

The Ministry of the Environment is also working with the Oakville-Clarkson community to establish an Air Zone Management Advisory Committee to improve air quality while enhancing the economic competitiveness of the region.

The Oakville Chamber also received the honour because of their ability to help industry and businesses within the city contain their own emissions. The Advocacy Award was presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 100th Annual General Meeting and Convention in St. Catharines on May 5, 2012.

The Advocacy Award is among several awards presented to chambers of commerce for excellence in leadership and delivery of impactful innovative programs and services.  The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the Oakville Chamber of Commerce as a member, and as a community leader. 

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 ST. CATHARINES: The London Chamber of Commerce wins the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Chair’s Award for its work in uniting London’s Hispanic and Asian business groups with the wider business community.

“Rather than challenging these groups, we chose to reach out to them by offering to house their fledgling groups and establish them as standing committees of the Chamber,”  explained London Chamber CEO Gerry Macartney. “It just made sense.  We are indeed better together.”

As a result of this initiative, the Forest City Chamber added 12 new Hispanic-based companies and seven new Asian-based companies to its membership, produced well-attended networking seminars and conducted how-to sessions on doing business in London and Canada, and even with China.

The Hispanic Business Opportunities Committee of the London Chamber aims to bridge the gap between London and world markets, and to create business opportunities through various international trade agreements.

Through the Asian Business Opportunities Committee, the Chamber is looking for opportunities to facilitate international trade with China and other Asian countries – with the aim of creating more opportunity for greater investment.

The Chair’s award was presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) 100th Annual General Meeting and Convention in St. Catharines on May 5, 2012 by the OCC Board of Directors’ Chair, David Sword.

The Chair’s Award is among several awards presented to chambers of commerce for excellence in leadership and delivery of impactful innovative programs and services.  The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the London Chamber of Commerce as a member, and as a community leader. 

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ST. CATHARINES: The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce took home an Ontario Chamber of Commerce Chair’s Award this weekend in St. Catharines for their distinguished work in bringing together industry, innovation, education and healthcare leaders in a public forum. 

The goal of the Chamber was to host senior leaders and innovators – who collectively represent the major economic drivers in the area— and share the newest, brightest ideas, current and future plans and associated business opportunities.

“Rarely, if ever, are there 10 senior executives of leading corporations and institutions in the same room at the same time sharing a wealth of information,” Sudbury Chamber President Debbi Nicholson said about the Chamber’s sold-out inaugural event.  “It began as a bold idea and turned into one of the most informative events of the year. We have had many inquiries about when we will host the next one.”

The Chair’s award was presented at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) 100th Annual General Meeting and Convention in St. Catharines on May 5, 2012 by the OCC Board of Directors’ Chair, David Sword.

The Chair’s Award is among several awards presented to chambers of commerce for excellence in leadership and delivery of impactful innovative programs and services.  The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce as a member, and as a community leader. 

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Chambers of commerce and boards of trade from across the province gather to debate and determine the policy resolutions of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which will be used in their advocacy efforts in the coming years.

Keynote speakers include RBC Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Craig Wright, speaking on the state of the economy and Hill & Knowlton Vice President of Public Affairs, Atul Sharma, speaking to the state of Queen’s Park.

Political representatives include Finance Minister Brad Duguid, Environment Minister Jim Bradley, Opposition Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

The program runs from 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4th to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th.

WHAT: 100th Ontario Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting

WHO: Allan O’Dette, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Keynote Speakers include:

• Craig Wright, RBC Senior Vice President and Chief Economist
• Atul Sharma, Hill & Knowlton Vice President of Public Affairs
• Finance Minister Brad Duguid
• Environment Minister Jim Bradley
• Opposition Leader Tim Hudak
• NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

WHEN: Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th, 2012

WHERE: Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Convention Centre, St. Catharines

Full event information can be found at http://occ.on.ca/events/annual-general-meeting/ 

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For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

The OCC recognizes that the 2012 Ontario Budget made difficult choices as the province’s debt repayments rank as the third largest area of expenditure after education and health care. The budget’s main focus on reducing the deficit is certainly the top priority for Ontario businesses – and is a key factor in the economic vitality of the province and our ability to deliver critical government programs. But to lay the groundwork for future growth and prosperity, austerity is only one side of the equation. A vision for future economic growth is the other.

“Today, we are calling on the Government to work with the Ontario Chamber Network and other stakeholders to grow its top line in order to balance the books,” said Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Innovation, a 21st century workforce, fiscal balance, taking advantage of global opportunities and identifying our competitive advantages are of fundamental importance if Ontario is to be more productive, more competitive and more global.”

A significant part of that global competitiveness is the provincial tax environment. While the Ontario Chamber of Commerce was expecting a delay in the corporate income tax (CIT) reduction, we expect the Government will meet its deficit reduction targets and implement the CIT reductions in 2017-18, or earlier.

Recognizing the business community must do its part in moving Ontario towards 21st century prosperity, the OCC supports the consultation of the private sector in modifications to business supports and would welcome an invitation to join the Jobs and Prosperity Council described in the budget.

“Every individual, every business and every community across Ontario is in this together,” said O’Dette. “We must focus on growing the economy of this great province so, together, we can emerge stronger.”

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For further information or to schedule an interview, contact:

A new expert roundtable, led by Julia Deans and including Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), will help develop the strategy and examine ways that immigration can best support Ontario’s economic development and help new Ontarians find jobs.

Ontario remains the number one destination for newcomers to Canada yet it is the only province currently without an immigration agreement with the federal government. The new provincial immigration strategy will help to inform and shape discussions with the federal government towards an agreement.

The OCC is pleased to have the opportunity to represent Ontario’s business community at this roundtable.

“The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is perfectly positioned to provide policy advice on the intersection of immigration and the Ontario economy,” said O’Dette. “We look forward to providing input on how to maximize the economic benefits of immigration to Ontario and improve the social and economic integration of newcomers by helping them find jobs.”

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The OCC supports the innovative nature of the report as it takes a systematic approach to change in very challenging economic times. It attempts to manage fiscal realities as it seeks to return the province to fiscal balance without sacrificing investment in future innovation.

“The Ontario Chamber of Commerce supports the spirit of the Drummond report as it sets the stage for Ontario’s future competitiveness,” said Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “It advises a fundamental shift in the way Ontario does business, yet offers a pragmatic approach to productivity based on innovation and collaboration.”

Ontario’s business community has been asking the government to get the province’s fiscal house in order by setting out a deficit reduction plan, negotiating a new fiscal deal with the federal government, finding efficiencies in service delivery and managing public sector compensation. This report responds to those ideas, while calling on the private sector to play a role of its own.

The business community is certainly willing to do their part and welcomes the invitation to contribute to service delivery. Now more than ever, the government needs to look to the private and non-profit sectors to partner in the delivery of services and financing of public projects. It is this push towards innovation that will increase productivity and provide Ontario with a sustainable economy in the 21^st century.

“The report challenges traditional assumptions and encourages collaboration in non-traditional areas of service delivery,” said Len Crispino, Special Advisor to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “This is a radical but informed report and, as a province, we need to put Ontario on a new path towards competitiveness and prosperity.”

Indeed, all sectors and all Ontarians need to play a role in balancing the provincial deficit and moving Ontario into its next great economic era.

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