OBAC with Premier McGuinty and Ministers Pupatello, Duguid, Duncan, Milloy and Wilkinson. (Pupatello and Duguid not shown in this photo)

The Ontario Chamber represents the interests of more than 60,000 members of Ontario’s varied businesses. As part of our agenda to facilitate exchange of opinion between these members and senior policy makers in government, we created the Ontario Business Advisory Council (OBAC).

The goal of these sessions, held six times per year, is to provide an up-close and informal forum for dialogue and discussion on topical issues of the day. The sessions, which run for approximately two hours are held in-camera with no media present and provide for an open and frank discussion. Attendance is typically capped at 60 to 75 senior business leaders to allow for full participation.

This format has proved to be extremely popular with our distinguished guests that have included Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Leader of the Official Opposition and Provincial Conservative Party Leader Tim Hudak, Provincial Ministers of Finance, Energy and Infrastructure, Economic Development and Trade, Public Infrastructure Renewal, Health and Long-Term Care, Training, Colleges & Universities, Research & Innovation, Environment and Government Services, Toronto Mayor David Miller, then Leader of the Provincial Conservative Party John Tory, and then federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser, to name a few.

We are pleased to announce the next OBAC session is with the Official Opposition Critics from the Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday March 24th, 2010
Location: Park Hyatt Toronto, Queen’s Park South Ballroom
Registration & Breakfast: 7:30 am
Meeting: 8:00 am – 9:30 am

About the Speakers…

Toby Barrett
Environment Critic & Caucus Chair

Toby Barrett is currently MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk, and Environment Critic for the Official Opposition. Toby was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in June 1995, and was re-elected in the 1999 and 2003 provincial elections as MPP for the riding of Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant.

Frank Klees
Transportation and Public Infrastructure Critic

Frank Klees is currently MPP for Newmarket and Aurora, and the Official Opposition Critic for Transportation and Public Infrastructure Renewal. First elected to the Ontario Legislature in June, 1995, to represent the riding of York Mackenzie, Frank was re-elected in June, 1999, for a second term as MPP for the new riding of Oak Ridges, and in October, 2003, for a third term, once again in Oak Ridges.

Norm Miller
Finance Critic & Chief Whip

Norm Miller is currently MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, and Chief Whip and Official Opposition Critic for Finance. Norm was elected to represent the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka in a by-election on March 22, 2001, and was re-elected in the general election held in October 2003.

Julia Munro
Consumer Services, Small Business and Red Tape Critic & Deputy Speaker

Julia Munro is currently MPP for York North, and Official Opposition Critic for Culture, Children and Youth Services. Julia was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1995. She was re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Peter Shurman
Economic Development and Trade Critic & Francophone Affairs Critic

First elected to the house in October 2007, Peter became the critic of Citizenship and Immigration. He also holds the post of critic for Francophone affairs.

Jim Wilson
Training, Colleges and Universities Critic (Colleges and Universities), Research and Innovation Critic & Deputy Speaker

Jim Wilson is currently MPP for Simcoe-Grey, Deputy Speaker, and Training, Colleges and Universities Critic for the Official Opposition. Jim was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in September 1990 as the member for Simcoe West.

John Yakabuski
Energy Critic & Deputy House Leader

John Yakabuski is currently MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, and Energy Critic for the Official Opposition. John was first elected to the Ontario Legislature on October 2, 2003 and re-elected for a second term in October 2007.

For more information about OBAC, please contact Mia Bettio at miabettio@occ.on.ca.

The Ontario Business Advisory Council (OBAC) meetings are proudly sponsored by: