The Ontario Government needs to focus more on creating winning conditions for businesses, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) and the over thirty other Chambers in Ontario from Windsor to Cornwall and as far north as Thunder Bay and Sudbury, who recently presented a pre-budget submission to the Province.

The Ontario Government needs to focus more on creating winning conditions for businesses, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), who recently presented a pre-budget submission to the Province. (more…)

The measures announced in the March 21 budget are a significant step forward in the federal government’s attack on Canada’s skills challenge. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes a more activist approach by all of Canada’s governments to confront a growing problem. “The skills problem leads our Top Ten list of critical barriers to Canada’s competitiveness,” says Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “It’s showing up all across the country, in every industry. We are pleased to see the government is moving to confront it, and to include business directly in the solutions.” (more…)

The Ontario Government needs to focus more on creating winning conditions for businesses, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) and the over thirty other Chambers in Ontario from Windsor to Cornwall and as far north as Thunder Bay and Sudbury, who recently presented a pre-budget submission to the Province.

The Ontario Government needs to focus more on creating winning conditions for businesses, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), who recently presented a pre-budget submission to the Province. (more…)

On March 13, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) hosted the first of 9 roundtables across the GTA with John Howe, Vice President of Investment Strategy and Project Investment for Metrolinx. Business and community leaders sat down to tackle various funding options for what’s being called by Metrolinx as the “the Big Move”, a $50 billion transit project over the next 25 years to improve transit throughout the Greater Toronto area.

The intent of the OCC roundtable was to have a frank, honest conversation around how to pay for transit improvements to existing service and new transit construction across Durham and the GTA.

“These conversations will help us develop the best possible advice to provide to the Province on these funding challenges,” stated Josh Hjartarson, Vice-President of Policy for the OCC.

(more…)

Following a public hearing held December 3 to 6, 2012 in Courtice, Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced on Thursday, March 14, that it has accepted the environmental assessment for the proposed refurbishment of Darlington’s four nuclear reactors. The Commission concluded that it will have no significant damaging effect on the environment. The news means Ontario Power Generation can move ahead with a number of activities in support of Darlington refurbishment project.

“OPG is very pleased with the (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s) decision,” said Wayne Robbins, OPG’s Chief Nuclear Officer. “We were confident in our conclusions that Darlington refurbishment and continued operation of the station will not result in any significant, adverse environmental effects, given the mitigation measures identified.” (more…)

Submitted by Ian Howcroft, Vice President, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) Ontario
Overview: On January 25th, 2013, the Attorney General of Ontario announced that effective March 1, 2013, those responsible for professional engineering work in relation to production machinery or equipment must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). CME engaged the Attorney General, the MEDTE, the Premier’s office and key industry stakeholders in opposition to the change. The AG has subsequently extended the timeline for implementation from March 1, 2013 to September 1, 2013.

CME is coordinating a response calling for a full Regulatory Impact Analysis and, subject to verification of the costs and lack of benefit, a return to the status quo with respect to the industrial exception.
(more…)