Policy Updates & News 271 results

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce submits testimony on Bill 148 (Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act) to Finance and Economic Affairs Committee

August 1, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

On June 1st, 2017, Government of Ontario released Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs act for first reading. The bill was partially designed as a culmination of the Changing Workplaces Review.

The proposed changes within the Bill are sweeping in nature, the most prominent being an increase to minimum wage to $15/hr by January 1st, 2019, pay equivalency for part-time and full-time workers, expansion of union certifiable professions.

NAFTA Updates from Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce: July 25th, 2017

July 25, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Ontario Chamber of Commerce: Letter in support of Canadian Chamber of Commerce Submission

Last week, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) sent an open letter to Chrystia Freeland supporting the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s (CCC) submission to the NAFTA Negotiating Team at Global Affairs Canada. As Canada, Mexico and the United States approach a re-opening of NAFTA, the OCC echoes the sentiment of the CCC that this negotiation should be regarded as an opportunity to bring the agreement into the 21st century so that it better reflects the way we do business today.

10,000 years stuck in traffic: Infrastructure gaps block Canadian productivity, new Canadian Chamber of Commerce report finds

July 20, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Lack of proper infrastructure is leading to lost opportunities and wasted time for both companies and residents, says a new report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

As Canadians head out on vacation, they will be spending longer periods in their car, have more difficulty accessing their emails in certain parts of the country and have to wait longer to receive the items they order online because of deficient infrastructure.

Infrastructure Canada releases details on Phase 2 of Federal Infrastructure Funding: Opportunities for Hamilton in Goods Movement, Public Transit and Green Infrastructure

July 7, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

On Thursday, July 6th, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjeet Sohi released Provincial Mandate letters outlining details of Phase 2 of their Government’s ambitious infrastructure fund.

Under Phase 2, the federal investment includes four funding streams to be delivered over the next 11 years:

$20.1 billion for public transit;
$9.2 billion for green infrastructure;
$1.3 billion for community, culture and recreation infrastructure; and
$2.4 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities.

Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act and $15/HR Minimum Wage Proposal: An update on our advocacy and hearings in Hamilton

June 29, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

The Changing Workplaces Review and resulting Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act has raised concerns within our membership and Ontario’s business community broadly. The proposals are sweeping in nature, the most prominent being an increase to minimum wage to $15/HR by January 1st, 2019, pay equivalency for part-time and full-time workers, expansion of union certifiable professions; for the full backgrounder CLICK HERE.

Advocacy update: Committee on International Trade Releases Study on Competitiveness of Canadian Steel & NAFTA

June 28, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Over the last year, our organization has been actively advocating for the Steel Industry. For more context see here, here and here.

In these uncertain times, It is evident to us that these issues will continue to have a significant impact on your bottom line and long-term plans. We wanted to provide the community with three recent updates:

1) Our advocacy in partnership, with the Windsor and Sault Ste Marie Chambers, began with a focus on the competitiveness challenges faced by Canadian Manufacturing, especially on foreign dumping and inequitable procurement.

Media Release:Half of Ontarians fear their skills will soon be obsolete: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce releases new report

June 27, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, June 27th, 2017 – In partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce released a comprehensive report, Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills Mismatch in Ontario, which identifies ten recommendations that will better align the skills acquired by Ontarians with those required by employers.

The report, which was developed in partnership with leading officials in the private and educational sectors, as well as with representatives from across Ontario, includes exclusive, new research of both Ontario Chamber Network members as well as the general population on sentiment toward skills development.

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce recruiting Project Assistants for the Bay Area Economic Summit (June 27th, 2017)

June 15, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Job Description: Bay Area Economic Summit Event Scribes and White Paper Research Assistants (4 Positions). June 27th, 2017. (Paid Opportunity)

Hosted by the Hamilton and Burlington Chambers of Commerce.

Background

What is a Chamber of Commerce? Chambers of Commerce are membership associations representing the voice of the business community and major public sector institutions.

Hamilton Chamber launches Survey on Canada – US Trade and Supply Chain for Steel and Manufacturing industries

May 23, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Monday, May 23rd, 2017, Hamilton, ON: The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is are launching a survey to collect the concerns and recommendations of the Canadian Steel Industry, and related manufacturing industries within the supply chain.

Background: The Canadian steel producers create over 22,000 direct and more than 100,000 indirect jobs through nineteen facilities across five provinces, with over $14 billion in annual sales.

City of Hamilton to discuss the future of the Vacant Unit Rebate Program on June 7th

May 16, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

The City of Hamilton is considering the future of a 30% Vacant Unit tax rebate that is offered through application to over 500 businesses annually. It is available for both Commercial / Industrial properties are coded and assessed by MPAC – no application required and Land with no buildings/structures or land not needed to support business.

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