Each Spring, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce holds its Annual General Meeting & Convention which brings together Chamber of Commerce executives and community business leaders to discuss the economic and political issues affecting the prosperity of Ontario business and set the policy agenda for the upcoming year. As part of the proceedings, your Chamber submits resolutions for debate and approval by the OCC Membership which address concerns specific to Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. If approved, these resolutions will be adopted by the organization for implementation in the year to come.
Enhance Cellular Development in Rural, Remote, and Last-Mile Areas
By investing in cellular networks, Canada can stimulate economic progress in rural and First Nations regions, enhance the resiliency of the national supply chain, and spur industry growth.
Provide a funding model for the Rural Immigration Program
Resolution to the 2024 Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Convention
2024 OCC Policy Resolution: 2+1 Roads Save Time, Lives and Taxpayers Dollars
Issue The highway network in Ontario plays a vital social and economic role in the transportation of goods and people. Yet in rural and northern regions it consists primarily of two-lane roads that limit passing opportunities and produce high rates of serious and...
2024 OCC Resolution: Addressing Northern and Rural Labour Market Needs through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
IssueEmployers across Ontario, but particularly in Northern and Rural areas, are experiencing a shortage of qualified employees and a shrinking labour market. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program can help to address these challenges by allocating nominee spots to...
Local Delegates Earn Support for Thunder Bay’s Business Concerns at Canadian Chamber AGM
The Canadian Chamber is the largest business network in the country with significant influence on policies, regulations and decisions that are critical to creating a favourable environment for business success and the future of Canada.
Make The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Permanent
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a federal program established in November 2019 with the goal to attract and retain skilled immigrants in rural and northern communities by testing innovative approaches to permanent immigration. RNIP can play a key role in addressing the labour shortage and achieving the federal government’s recently announced immigration targets, but it is set to expire in August 2024.
Local Autonomy and Funding Support are Key to Success at Canada’s Airport Authorities
Transport Canada’s recent consultation document on the future of Canada’s Air Transportation system suggests a desire to increase Government involvement in Airport Authority oversight that could hinder responsiveness to local needs and priorities.
2023 OCC Resolution: Extend exemptions for the Non-Resident Speculation Tax
Businesses in Ontario that need to hire foreign talent to fill specific roles face even greater challenges with the Non-Resident Speculation Tax, which is an additional tax placed on foreign nationals and foreign corporations purchasing a home in the province. While there are exceptions for the tax, it needs to be reconsidered in its entirety.
2023 OCC Resolution: Making the Ontario Energy Board Hearing Process More Accessible
The current Ontario Energy Board (OEB) framework relating to cost eligibility and cost awards (the framework) makes stakeholder participation prohibitively expensive.
2023 OCC Resolution: Regional Approach to Provincial Procurement Reform
The Government of Ontario is in the process of setting up Supply Ontario, a centralized procurement model across the Ontario Public Service and the broader public sector which may adversely impact small- and medium-sized businesses and regional economic development across the province.