Policy Updates & News 274 results

Media Release: Ontario’s Skills Gaps Widens By 9%: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Report Points to Immigration Reform As Part Of The Solution

April 4, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, ON, April 4, 2016: Today, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released a report entitled, Passport to Prosperity: Ontario’s Priorities for Immigration Reform, which presents a series of recommendations designed to reduce Ontario’s costly skills gap and improve the labour outcomes of immigrants in the province and Hamilton.

Media Release: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Morriston Bypass Coalition Applauds Ontario Government’s Funding Commitment to Critical Highway Infrastructure Project

March 29, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, March 29, 2015 – The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Morriston Bypass Business and Economic Development Coalition, applauds the Government of Ontario’s decision to invest in the region’s transportation infrastructure by constructing a Highway 6 Bypass around the Village of Morriston, ON beginning in 2019.

“This project was a critical priority to the connectivity of businesses in Hamilton within an important trade corridor between the GTHA, Southern Ontario and the United States affecting over ten million vehicles and hundreds of millions of value in commercial goods,” said Keanin Loomis, President & CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Federal Budget 2016: What it means for Businesses & Hamilton

March 23, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

The Federal government tabled their 2016 budget yesterday. The much-anticipated budget comes in the aftermath of an ambitious spending platform promised by the Liberal government. The Budget takes a remarkably different tone compared to a decade of fiscal restraint under the Conservatives, with the overall deficit set to hit over $100 Billion through ambitious spending programs targeting infrastructure, an innovation agenda, clean technology, aboriginal people as well as a focus on supporting lower and middle-class families.

Media Release: Hamilton and Ontario Chamber of Commerce Leading Conversation about Health Care System Transformation in Ontario

March 15, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, ON, March 15th 2016: In a landmark report released today, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has outlined an opportunity to bring real and meaningful change to Ontario’s health care system. The report, Transformation through Value and Innovation: Revitalizing Health Care in Ontario, coincides with new survey data showing that the province is ready for health care modernization and service delivery reform.

Congratulations to the 2015 Outstanding Business Achievement Award winners!

March 9, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, ON, March 9th – The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Outstanding Business Achievement announced at a sold-out gala dinner on March 8^th, 2016 at Carmen’s Banquet Centre.

Click here for an audio recording of the event.
Click here for photos from the event

Small/Medium/Large Business of the Year: These awards were presented to a profit-centred private business organization, whose business achievement made an outstanding contribution to Hamilton in 2015.

Provincial Budget 2015: Everything you need to know!

February 27, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

On February 25th, 2016, the Ontario government tabled their annual budget. Below are some highlights for organizations in Hamilton.

Key numbers:

The budget has an ambitious $133.9-billion spending plan with a projected $4.3 billion deficit – leaving the provincial debt at $296.1 billion. Other data analysis

Regulatory costs & increases:

Gasoline prices to increase 4.3 cents per litre next year as part of the new cap-and-trade program to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Hamilton & Ontario Chambers of Commerce Call on Government To Support Employer Transition to the ORPP

February 23, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Toronto, ON, February 23rd, 2016: The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is calling on the Government of Ontario to support businesses’ transition to the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) through a series of offset measures.
“Our objective is to ensure that the ORPP does not weaken Ontario’s economic recovery,” said Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Media Release: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber of Commerce calls on Province to ‘Get Back to Fiscal Balance’

February 18, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Business Groups Call For 2016 Budget that Extends Business Engagement on Cap and Trade to Focus Proceeds on Job Creating Initiatives, and Contain Regulatory Burden to Ensure Economic Growth

Hamilton, ON, February 18^th, 2016: Today, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released its 2016 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, which outlines key priorities that address the need to eliminate the deficit and establish some much needed regulatory reforms.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Presents: Five minutes for business (February 2016)

February 9, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

In the first edition of February’s 5 Minutes for Business, Hendrik Brakel, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Senior Director, Economic, Financial and Tax Policy, looks at why populism is on the rise all over the world.

In the U.S., Donald Trump is leading all the polls nationwide in the Republican primaries, and in the Democratic Party, support is surging for a 74-year-old self-avowed socialist, Bernie Sanders, who wants a “political revolution.”

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce submits provincial pre-budget submission

February 4, 2016 · by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, ON, February 4th: The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has submitted a pre-budget submission in response to a public consultation process announced by the provincial government. The recommendations were also presented to Associate Minister of Finance MPP Mitzie Hunter, MPP Eleanor McMahon and chair of cabinet MPP Jim Bradley at a pre-budget townhall in Hamilton last week.

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