Page 34 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_July2024

ADVOCACY

Policies to create prosperity adopted by

Ontario Chambers

Debating policies to create “Requiring federal regulators to apply an
evidence-based solutions that will economic and competitive lens would ⦁ The first policy calls for the Province,
in consultation with municipalities,
benefit the business community encourage manageable regulations and police boards, and businesses
reduce the interprovincial trade barriers
and province’s economic growth affecting over one third of Canadian communities, to use economic
played an important role at the businesses,” he said, adding doing analysis principles when it comes
Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s this would ‘fortify’ Canada’s economic to current and potential crime
2024 Annual General Meeting and foundation. “Modernizing our regulatory diversion programs that could
Convention this past spring in framework would cost the government reduce crime and in turn make it
safer for businesses to operate. As
Timmins. little or nothing at a time when Canadians
and businesses from coast to coast well, the policy recommends that
Approximately 100 delegates representing are struggling with affordability. The underperforming programs that
Chambers provincewide made the trek government should be looking to relieve don’t adequately serve communities
north, including Cambridge Chamber financial burdens wherever possible.” of all types be identified and
of Commerce President and CEO Greg Beatty also stressed the need for strategic that funding be prioritized
Durocher and Board Chair Murray Smith. accordingly, and that the efficacy
and long-term investment in infrastructure
“Ensuring businesses have the legislative to create a “resilient network” of gateways of these programs be evaluated
backing and supports they need to and corridors. in the context of other wrap-
succeed and prosper is at the core of what As well, he also called on the need for the around services available in each
Chambers and Boards of Trade do and the community. Also, the policy calls
policies approved at this event assists our government to provide financial supports, for the implementation of a system
like the CEBA (Canada Emergency Business
network in creating a roadmap to make to measure the long-term impacts
that happen,” says Greg. Account) program during the pandemic, of these program investments and
that require more tailored, strategic, and insists municipalities continue to
This year, 28 policies were approved innovative solutions. use Special Constables in urban
by the delegates covering a wide “The issue isn’t about how to bail out small areas instead of fully sworn officers
variety of issues that can directly affect to reduce tax burdens.
businesses including labour, education, businesses but how to build them out,”
Beatty said, adding collaboration between
healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, ⦁ The second policy, which the
manufacturing, and housing. These the Canadian and Ontario Chambers of Cambridge Chamber co-sponsored,
Commerce, as well as local Chambers, is
policies now become entrenched in the needed to make change happen. calls for the establishment of
Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s policy timelines for the Province’s new
‘play book’ to guide its ongoing advocacy “Canada has never more greatly needed Building Ontario Fund (formerly
work at Queen’s Park. what we as a network of Chambers can the Ontario Infrastructure Bank)
to commence investments into
The AGM, held April 25-27 and called A offer.” projects. It also calls for a strategy
Northern Experience, featured sessions Cambridge Chamber policies put in place to ensure these
related to the creation of a more approved by Ontario delegates investments in major projects are
prosperous business climate for success in municipalities and regions across
in Ontario’s north surrounding labour and The AGM provides an opportunity for Ontario.
supply chain issues touching on the needs Chamber leaders to come together to
of the growing EV market in the southern discuss and debate key policies that shape ⦁ The third policy, which the
part of the province. the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) Cambridge Chamber co-sponsored,
advocacy agenda for the coming year.
recommends the Province initiate
The need to create economic growth was a major review of provincial-
at the heart of a video message sent to The Cambridge Chamber presented three municipal fiscal arrangements
delegates from Canadian Chamber of policies, two of which it co-sponsored, all to ensure cost-effective program
Commerce President & CEO Perrin Beatty, of which received overwhelming support delivery and maintenance/
who urged the government to modernize from delegates: expansion of infrastructure.
its regulatory framework.

34 Summer 2024 www.cambridgechamber.com