October 21, 2015 – At the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held October 17 to 19, 2015 in Ottawa, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC), submitted a resolution, entitled ‘Canadian Nuclear Innovation’. This resolution dealt with the issue that Canada’s nuclear industry must have continued investment in nuclear science and technology and its applications to benefit both the environment and the Canadian economy and recommended that the Federal Government:
• Work with Provincial and territorial governments through its Energy, Research and Innovation and Economic Development ministries and the Canadian nuclear industry leaders to establish a joint government – industry nuclear science, technology and innovation program. Such a program will ensure that Canada and Ontario retain their leadership position in the global nuclear industry.
The GOCC also lent strong support for a resolution put forward to the delegates from the Kitchener/Waterloo Chamber of Commerce ‘Capitalizing on Growth Opportunities in Canadian Auto Parts Manufacturing’. This resolution dealt with having supportive Federal government policies relating to international trade agreements, competitive regulatory regimes and investment into R&D to position Canada as a global leader in automotive parts manufacturing recommended that the Federal Government:
• Expand export opportunities for Canadian auto parts manufacturers through international trade agreements;
• Eliminate regulatory duplication and overlap particularly in relation to the importation of machinery from jurisdictions with effective environmental and safety regimes;
• Maintain programs for assisting auto manufacturers on R&D activities to meet the changing requirements of domestic and international assemblers; and
• Direct Ray Tanquay, Canada/Ontario Auto Advisor, to advise the CCC of his strategic plan within 6 months.
The GOCC is pleased to report that ‘Canadian Nuclear Innovation’ and ‘Capitalizing on Growth Opportunities in Canadian Auto Parts Manufacturing’ were also of importance to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its network across Canada. At the AGM, the resolutions were approved by the over 300 delegates from Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, representing 200,000 Canadian businesses.
The Ontario Chamber Network made their voice heard at the AGM with over 50 Ontario Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade participating. Ontario carried a record number of 117 votes at the AGM, representing the vitality and engagement of the Chamber Network.
The 2015 signature Ontario resolution, ‘Strategic Public Infrastructure for a Competitive Canada’, passed with over 96% of the vote at the AGM. The resolution, submitted by the London Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by the over 20 Ontario Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, recognizes the critical need for a national infrastructure plan to enhance productivity, job creation, and income growth.
In total 55 resolutions were debated at the AGM by Chambers from coast to coast to coast ranging from Industry, International Affairs to Finance, Taxation, Natural Resources, Environment to Transportation and Infrastructure. The resolutions dealt with agri-foods, to border crossings, Pan-Canadian issues and the Trans Pacific Partnership. The resolutions now form policy positions of the Canadian Chamber and its members and will be pursued with the Federal government over the coming months.
On the first day panel discussions revolved around the Federal Election and government relations professionals with differing political perspectives discussed the leader’s performances during the campaign and how the parties addressed issues of importance to business. On the Sunday two panellists, based on their experience in Federal and Provincial politics, discussed the strategies Chamber network advocators should consider in light of the various complexion of the next Parliament. It was predicted at the time there would be over 150 new MP’s coming to Ottawa after the election and the feeling at the AGM was there would be a new Prime Minister.
For more than 87 years the GOCC has been providing positive leadership in support of its members and business and speaks to proactively and constructively express the views of the business community on matters of relevance to Oshawa, Clarington and Durham Region to all levels of Government.
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The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the Federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 Chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. News and information are available at www.Chamber.ca or follow the Canadian Chamber on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CanadianChamberofCommerce.
