One of the great advantages of attending the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM and Conference in the beautiful city of Windsor, Ontario last week was the opportunity to hear directly from inspiring leaders who remind us that, collectively, we continue to have the capacity to make a real difference. Through thoughtful panel discussions and keynote sessions, attendees are empowered to see how collaboration across businesses, industries, and regions can influence government policy, drive innovation, and strengthen our economy. Events like this reaffirm the critical role that chambers of commerce and boards of trade play in amplifying our shared voice and creating meaningful change for our communities. One of the panels in particular highlighted Ontario’s competitive edge in these strange political times.
In a time of growing uncertainty and rapid economic change, the role of chambers of commerce has never been more important. During a dynamic panel moderated by Jamie Doolittle, Regional Head, Business Banking, BMO, leaders from across Ontario emphasized that this is a defining moment — not just for business recovery, but for building Canada’s long-term future.
Reflecting on the critical leadership role chambers played during the pandemic, Jaipaul Massey-Singh, CEO of the Brampton Board of Trade, stressed that the path forward is a continuation of that momentum. “I think what’s been enlightening for me at the very least is that it’s being recognized by our membership,” he said. “there’s been an uptick for our chamber at the very least in attendance, in membership, in engagement, because it’s recognized that we are one of the people who can advocate for solutions on behalf of the collective.”
The message was clear: chambers must continue to deliver value, advocate effectively, and make sure businesses know they are ready to lead. Massey-Singh noted that even large national brands that had been difficult to engage previously are now reaching out, saying, “We see what you’re doing in Ontario, we see the content you’re putting out there, how can we get involved?”
Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, agreed, emphasizing that the chamber network must be bold in setting the economic agenda. “This is absolutely the moment for chambers of commerce,” she said. “Regardless of what happens politically, the focus on Canadian business is going to be there. And now the question is how?” Ching urged chambers and business leaders to push for long-term thinking from governments and to “demand continued collaboration and calibration of strategies” that tie immigration, infrastructure, transportation, and economic growth together.
When it comes to Canada’s readiness to seize global opportunities, Helen Quirke, Vice President of Supply Chain and Business Development at CN, provided an optimistic assessment. “In terms of containerized port capacity, there’s plenty of capacity,” she said, citing investments on both the East and West Coasts. She highlighted CN’s construction of a major intermodal facility in Milton, slated for completion in 2027, noting that infrastructure investment like this is critical for connecting Canadian products to global markets.
Innovation and technology also took centre stage: Ching stressed the urgent need to support businesses, especially SMEs, in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and climate action strategies. Referencing a Conference Board of Canada report, she explained, “The adoption of AI by our cities across the country could unlock $100 billion by 2030.” However, many businesses don’t know how to begin. “The number one trusted way for businesses to adopt [AI] is through organizations like ours,” she added, reinforcing the pivotal role Chambers must play.
Cybersecurity was also raised as an emerging concern. Massey-Singh noted that many businesses are unaware of vulnerabilities within global supply chains and highlighted the need for greater education and support in this area.
A critical theme that emerged throughout the conversation was the need for a comprehensive immigration and workforce strategy. Massey-Singh was particularly passionate, calling out the current lack of strategy: “We’ve done a terrible job of capitalizing on what should be Canada’s advantage.” He emphasized the economic imperative of supporting newcomers: “The data is out there. We know jobs come from those who are entering our country as immigrants. We know our economy’s growth is coming from those individuals.”
Ching built on this point, emphasizing that immigration, housing, transportation, and infrastructure are interconnected, and that Chambers must be the ones to insist on integrated, long-term strategies. “We have to set an economic agenda that has a long-term view for growth,” she said. “Our responsibility in this moment is to think long-term.”
Quirke, newly minted as a Canadian citizen just 10 days before the panel, reflected on Canada’s immense potential: “We are not number one on everything, but we have a ton of assets that we are not fully utilizing to reach our full potential.” She called Canada a country rich with opportunity — if the right frameworks are in place.
The conversation ended on a hopeful note. Massey-Singh reminded everyone that leadership is not just about solutions; it’s about setting the tone for optimism.
“People look to us in our community not just for solutions, but for how to respond to the moment,” he said. “This is our opportunity… to remind folks in our communities to have hope and to be positive.”
Quirke echoed this optimism, saying, “There are so many fundamentals about this economy that will continue to be strong in the future.”
As this panel made clear, Chambers of Commerce are not just responding to today’s challenges — they are helping shape Canada’s economic future. Through collaboration, innovation, and relentless long-term vision, they are leading communities forward.
At the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, we see ourselves reflected in these conversations — not just as participants, but as active contributors to the future being shaped. The insights shared at the OCC AGM affirm what we believe at our core: that local chambers, grounded in the realities of their communities, can be powerful engines of collective progress. Whether we’re helping a small business navigate new technologies, advocating for smarter infrastructure, or creating space for collaboration, our team is motivated every day by the knowledge that our work matters. We are proud to rise to this moment — with clarity of purpose, commitment to long-term thinking, and a deep belief in the strength of doing this work together.
