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 chaired by Simranzeet Singh Vig, Senior Manager, Policy, OCC, and consists of leading experts from business, academia, and our Chamber Network.
Recent Highlights:
- Publication of letter, Ontario Business Imperative: Qualified People, Diverse Talent
- 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
2025 Policy & Advocacy Priorities:
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Ensuring a robust and financially sustainable post-secondary education sector: To strengthen Ontario’s global competitiveness, there is an urgent need and compelling opportunity to make strategic, transformative investments in Ontario’s post-secondary education system.
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Addressing labour shortages in key economic sectors and regions: Labour shortages continue to persist across key sectors, posing challenges to economic growth, regional development, and Ontario’s overall competitiveness and productivity.
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Increasing funding for skills training and supporting the workforce of the future: Strong partnerships between government, industry, and academia are essential to closing skills gaps and driving sector-specific growth. As emerging technologies transform business operations, it is critical to prioritize workforce development to ensure Ontario’s labour force remains agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving economy.
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Fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce: Equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion are foundational to Ontario’s economic prosperity and labour market resilience.
Members of the Council include:
- ACCES Employment
- Bruce Power
- Career Colleges
- Cestar College (Career Colleges Ontario)
- Colleges Ontario
- Council of Ontario Universities
- Doordash Technologies Canada, LLC
- Food and Beverage Ontario
- Fragomen (Canada) Co.
- George Brown College
- Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
- Halton Industry Education Council (ApprenticeSearch.com)
- Harrison Staffing
- Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC)
- Ontario Power Generation
- Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE)
- Ontario Tech University
- Orillia District Chamber of Commerce
- Ottawa Board of Trade
- Queen’s University
- Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
- TMU (Toronto Metropolitan University)
- Uber
- University of Waterloo (Watspeed)
- Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Vaughan Chamber of Commerce
- Waste Connections of Canada
- Windsor-Essex Regional 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.