The OCC’s Workforce Development Council provides the resources necessary to allow the OCC to deliver on regular policy and advocacy initiatives to influence Ontario’s decision-makers. With a proven track record of advocating for workforce development issues, the council is a trusted voice the government has listened to consistently on issues faced by the business community.
The council’s increased presence, through letters to the federal or provincial government, roundtable meetings with Ministers and senior bureaucrats, policy briefs, submissions or statements influenced and impacted government policy.
The Council is co-chaired by Simranzeet Singh Vig, Senior Manager, Policy, OCC and Marketa D. Evans, President and CEO, Colleges Ontario, and consists of leading experts from business, academia, and our Chamber Network.
Recent Highlights:
- Blue-Ribbon Panel on Financial Sustainability in the Post-Secondary Education Sector (letter)
- Building a Strong Post-Secondary Education Sector in Ontario – Blue Ribbon Panel Report Endorsement (letter)
- Support for fully enabling automatic features in voluntary workplace pensions and savings plans (letter)
- Recently Announced Cap on International Student Enrollment (letter)
- Ontario Budget Submission and Federal Budget Submission
2024 Policy & Advocacy Priorities:
- Addressing prevailing labour shortages in key economic sectors and regions: Many businesses – particularly in the transportation, construction, childcare, tourism, retail, and healthcare sectors – continue to face significant labour shortages exacerbated by a lack of transportation options, immigration backlogs, and rising living costs. Resolving labour shortages is critical to ensure economic growth and will require a comprehensive approach that identifies current and future workforce needs and implements workforce development strategies.
- Building on existing skills development partnerships: As emerging technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to transform business operations, it is more important than ever to prioritize skills development, including robust reskilling and upskilling initiatives, to ensure Ontario’s workers remain agile in a rapidly evolving landscape.
- Enabling a robust post-secondary education sector to ensure a thriving workforce of the future: Post-secondary institutions are pillars in Ontario communities and essential to the province’s competitiveness. They play pivotal roles as centres of research and development, and in preparing students for the jobs tomorrow. To maintain Ontario’s competitive edge, we recommend renewed investment in a robust post-secondary institution system that safeguards the province’s future and labour market needs, ensures student access, and supports the quality of the province’s universities and colleges.
- Fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce: Equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the labour market are preconditions to Ontario’s economic prosperity. We encourage the government to continue improving workforce programming for women and other equity-deserving groups to help meet these objectives. An equitable socioeconomic recovery will only be achievable if all stakeholders rally behind measurable goals.
Founding members of the Council include:
- Ontario Tech University
- Agnico Eagle
- Access Employment
- Bruce Power
- Career Colleges Ontario
- Colleges Ontario
- Council of Ontario Universities
- Fragomen
- George Brown College
- Halton Industry Education Council
- Harrison Staffing
- Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
- Kingston Chamber of Commerce
- Central York Chamber of Commerce
- Northeastern University
- Ontario Power Generation
- Ontario Tourism Education Corporation
- Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
- Ottawa Board of Trade
- Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
- Progressive Contractors Association Canada
- Magnet – Toronto Metropolitan University
- Queens University
- Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
- Seneca Polytechnic
- Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
- Timmins Chamber of Commerce
- Uber
- Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Vaughan Chamber of Commerce
- Waste Connections of Canada
- WatSPEED
- Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce
Click here to learn more about the OCC’s ongoing advocacy work.
For more information on how to join the Council, please contact Simranzeet Singh Vig, Senior Manager, Policy, OCC