Important Progress on Competitiveness Challenges, but More Needs to be Done, says Canadian Chamber

Yesterday, the federal government released the Fall Economic Update, which contains a number of important measures to address Canada’s competitiveness gap with other countries, but more urgently needs to be done.

Faster write-offs for new investment, regulatory reform and concrete actions to accelerate the removal of barriers to trade within Canada are all important steps in the right direction, and we applaud the government’s initiatives in these areas. Specifically, we welcome the government's commitment to regulatory reform, as it reflects some of the core elements of our report, Death by 130,000 Cuts: Improving Canada’s Regulatory Competitiveness.

While the measures announced today will help address Canada’s competitiveness challenges, the Canadian Chamber remains concerned over a number of issues that have not been addressed, such as their lack of commitment to a full review of our tax system or set out a clear, realistic strategy for balancing the public books. 

We will continue to work with the federal government to ensure the voice of the business community is heard in order to build a more prosperous Canada where all Canadians have the opportunity to succeed.

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Chamber Network response to the Government of Ontario’s receipt of royal assent for Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018.

“Bill 47 restores balance to both employers and workers as well as reduces significant financial and administrative burden felt by businesses of all sizes throughout the province. With the competitiveness of our province at a critical point, the labour reforms introduced by Bill 47 are fundamental to the long-term prosperity of our people, our businesses, and our economy.”

• On behalf of our 60,000 members in 135 communities across the province, we are pleased the Government of Ontario is holding strong in its commitment to make Ontario open for business.
• The Ontario Chamber Network has long called for labour reforms that are both reasonable for employers and fair to workers.
• The compounding reforms previously introduced by Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, forced Ontario businesses to decrease staff hours, halt capital investment, and increase their reliance on automation - all in an effort to stay afloat.
• The Ontario Chamber Network has also long advocated for the Ontario College of Trades to modernize the apprenticeship application system, promote the skilled trades as a viable career option for young people, and revise the journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio framework to create more opportunities within the skilled trades.
• As these reforms were not made, the OCC recommended to dismantle the College and return responsibility for trades regulation to the Province.
• With 77 percent of Ontario business stating that access to talent is critical to their competitiveness, today’s news is a bold step in building a stronger Ontario and creating an economy that connects workers to jobs.

As the digital economy grows and businesses embrace new technologies and platforms, it is critical that communities across Canada have access to reliable broadband internet if they want to take advantage of these powerful new tools and compete in the global economy. However, with our unique geographical challenges, many rural and remote areas of Canada haven’t seen the level of investment in fibre broadband and LTE mobile connectivity that would allow them to take full advantage of these new technologies.

Recently, the Canadian Auditor General Michael Ferguson tabled a new report that investigated whether government institutions have effectively monitored and planned for the connectivity needs of Canadians in rural and remote areas. The report revealed:

• The federal government's reluctancy to establish a national broadband strategy has had a detrimental effect on the connectivity needs of Canadians in rural and remote areas.
• The 2016 Connect to Innovate funding program allocated over $500 Million in investments in over 900 communities was not implemented in a way that ensured the maximum expansions for the public money spent.
• Small Internet service providers do not have sufficient access to high-quality spectrum to support broadband deployment in rural and remote areas due to market conditions.

In building on this report and our ongoing advocacy efforts, we will continue to work towards reclaiming Canada’s position as the most digitally connected country in the world.

Did you know that exposure to high levels of radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the ground. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, and it can enter any home or workplace through openings where the building contacts the ground.  That means the only way to know how much radon is in your home or workplace is to test for it. The best time to start a radon test is during the colder months of the year when windows and doors are kept shut. And if you find that radon levels are high, don’t panic; it’s easy to fix.

The Radon Workplace Challenge is an opportunity for employers to take a leadership role in protecting the health of their employees and their families. Interested organizations across Canada are invited to take the pledge and participate in the Challenge by sharing information about radon and encouraging their employees and networks to test for it. All participating workplaces will receive educational materials and two radon test kits at no cost!

To find out more information and register your workplace for the Radon Workplace Challenge, please click on the link below. 

We recognize that retaining and attracting business is the only way to grow our communities and keep the prosperity and the quality of life we all enjoy. This is our way of thanking you for making our way of life possible.

We hope you will be able to take some time to attend the breakfast, network with fellow business leaders and hear from a local speaker who will provide some insight into how inclusion can benefit your business.

The breakfast is a partnership event between the cities of Belleville and Quinte West and we hope up to two people from your organization will be able to join us

The Centre for Workforce Development is pleased to share the updated 2018 Edition of the Skilled Trades Guide! With over 150 apprenticeable trades in Ontario, this guide is designed to assist students, parents, job seekers and community members to understand the path to an apprenticeship in Ontario.

The Guide outlines education and training requirement, job titles, career opportunities, median wage ranges and links to the outlook locally across all apprenticeable trades.

Brad Labadie, Executive Director

You can’t change your boss, but you can change who you work for. If you want to be your own boss, then you need to listen up. Tammatha Denyes, CPB will give you the tools you need to get started today!    Don’t worry if you cannot make it, we will send you a recording!

Thursday December 6 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Enjoy live music from the 3 amazing performers and bring cash and food donations for Quinte West's Care & Share Food Bank!

10:30-11am at the south side of the rail crossing on RCAF Rd for some festive live music and fun.

Dear Chamber members,

I would like to introduce myself; I am the new General Manager of the Ramada Trenton. I assumed my new challenge in May of this year and am excited to once again be back in Trenton. I was here 12 years ago when the property was branded Holiday Inn, when I occupied the position of Food & Beverage Manager. It is my goal to restore this properties profile within the community to what it was when I was last here.

In doing so, I am happy to invite all of you and your teams to enjoy a Las Vegas Holiday hypnotist show. The gala night features a full buffet, show and after party for $79.95.

We are offering Chamber members $10.00 off ($69.00) until Dec 1st for early bookings and discounted drink tickets should you wish to purchase them for your guests.

In Hospitality, 

Joey Bélanger, General Manager  Ramada Hotel Trenton  613-394-4855