Policy Updates & News 275 results

Media Release: Ontario Needs More Resilient Infrastructure to Confront Challenges of 21st Century: A new report released by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

August 28, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, ON, August 28^th, 2017: Today, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), released Building Better: Setting the 2017 Ontario Infrastructure Plan up for success, a report calling on the Ontario Government to implement key recommendations in its imminent Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (LTIP) that will help ensure accountable planning and building resilient, adaptable infrastructure for the future.

Government of Canada proposing radical tax policy changes for small businesses: We need your input!

August 22, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

The Department of Finance Canada is considering major changes to how corporations are taxed. The proposed changes could have a significant impact on many Canadian businesses: potentially raising taxes, increasing the administrative burden on SMEs and heightening the impact on family-run businesses. In 2015 small businesses employed more than 70 per cent of Canadians who work in the private sector.

Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster Forum

August 22, 2017 · by Whitney Eames

Bold Proposal Centrepiece of September 7 Gathering of Manufacturing and Technology Companies

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with area chambers and municipalities to organize a targeted event to help drive the growth of modern manufacturing as a mainstay of economic development, job creation and community prosperity.

The Manufacturing Supercluster Forum will be held on Thursday September 7 from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton.

185,000 Ontario Jobs at Risk from Bill 148: Independent Economic Impact Analysis by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce reveals

August 14, 2017 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, Monday, August 14 – Today, the Keep Ontario Working Coalition (KOW), in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) network released the first and only independent economic impact analysis of Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces Better Jobs Act. Conducted by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA), the study revealed that if the legislation is implemented as currently drafted, there will be significant, sudden and sizable uncertainty for Ontario jobs, economy and communities.

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.

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