Politics - Provincial As election nears, Ontario Liberals believe their gravest enemy is indecision, Toronto Star Province's wage-freeze talks go off the rails, Toronto Star Business BMO results lower bar for bank sector, Globe and Mail Telus takes aim at Shaw over CanWest content, Globe and Mail Economy If the economic road is so bumpy, why are all those trucks on the move?, Globe and Mail Ontario's debt hit record $212.1 billion in 2009-10, CTV News Canadian construction industry faces slowdown, Toronto Star Borders Debate rages ... Read More

Provincial Politics Making sense of McGuinty's cabinet tweaks, Globe and Mail Pledges power to municipalities, Intelligencer We're not perfect, McGuinty says, Ottawa Citizen Business Google Eyes Canadian Expansion, CTV News Ontario a developing video-game player, London Free Press Economy 'Ontario economy is growing,' Dalton McGuinty says, Toronto Star Enough stimulus, say Canadian business leaders, Toronto Sun Trade Canada-Europe free trade talks prompt Turkey to jump on board, Embassy Borders  Environmental group fights US-Canada bridge construction, AFP Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun loses bid to keep plaza, Windsor Star Northern Ontario Hudak ... Read More

The OCC task force on workforce literacy and essential skills is creating a survey to help businesses address skills deficits in the workplace. The survey will provide an opportunity for businesses to better inform us about what programs and incentives are needed to bring workers up to speed with the demands of the job in the most efficient fashion. The Chamber Network can expect to receive the survey in early September. Stay posted for more information. Read More

The OCC’s task force on red tape held its first meeting last week to discuss alternative ways to regulate that are economically competitive and support sustainable economic growth. The task force has created a list of guiding principles that will allow the government to achieve an improved approach to regulation based on consensus and the active involvement of the business community. Member chambers and boards of trade should stay tuned for the opportunity to contribute to ... Read More

Provincial Politics Premiers drop economic ball, Toronto Star Ontario's Premier Dad rolls dice on nanny image, Globe and Mail Business Behind the battle over BlackBerry, Toronto Star Economy Canada's innovative malaise: The cure's in our culture, Globe and Mail CAW head calls for national jobs summit, CBC News Federal flexibility needed, Toronto Star Trade Canadian exports take hit in June, Globe and Mail Never been a better time for Canada to set rules with U.S., Montreal Gazette Borders Border 'partner', Windsor Star Bridge may open by 2014, Cornwall Standard Freeholder Strong ... Read More

The Ministry of the Environment is attempting to take a more business-friendly approach to environmental regulation through proposed amendments to the existing Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act. The Amendments, which are part of the government's Open for Business initiative, would introduce a risk-based approval system for all business operations that contain air emissions, waste management systems, waste disposal sites, and/or sewage works. Adopting a risk-based approach to environmental regulation would address a longstanding priority of the ... Read More

Ontario is facing an unprecedented skills shortage due to Ontario's transformation to a more knowledge-driven economy in the midst of an aging workforce. Left unchecked, these trends will have serious ramifications for the provincial economy. Many sectors are or soon will be unable to fill key positions which rely on advanced analytical skills and technical expertise. There is an urgent need for innovative government programs to address the skills deficit by better rationing the skills and talents of ... Read More

The Canadian government has introduced new legislation aimed at enhancing the fairness and accountability of Canada’s Copyright Act. Bill C-32 addresses several of the obstacles faced by creators and distributors of entertainment software, including the reproduction of copyrighted materials, the marketing of electronic tools for this purpose, and the mass distribution of copyrighted works. The OCC has prepared a formal letter to the federal minister responsible for copyright reform, commending his government for its action in ... Read More

Bill 68, the Open for Business Act, is the latest initiative in the government’s three-year Open for Business program. The goal of this program is to reduce the amount of time and money government regulations cost businesses by creating simpler and more flexible processes for government approvals, inspections, and services.  Making regulations more responsive to the needs of business would uphold the goals of social and environmental sustainability while making Ontario a more lucrative place ... Read More

The OCC has long advocated for a more competitive tax and regulatory regime for Ontario. Ontario businesses have a strong interest in a more competitive regulatory environment that does not unduly penalize businesses that are committed to sound social and environmental stewardship.  In order to ensure that the provincial government's current efforts to reduce red tape are translated into lasting results for business, the OCC is assembling a task force to determine which issues and principles must ... Read More