Ontario Chamber Advocacy Day: A Call to Action to Boost Productivity

(TORONTO– February 27, 2024) – Ahead of its ninth annual Advocacy Day, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is calling on public policymakers to prioritize investments aimed at enhancing Ontario’s productive capacity.

“As Ontario Chamber members come together for Advocacy Day, we urge policymakers to focus on strategic investments to counter Canada’s declining productivity,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “With business confidence at historic lows, our pre-budget call includes a push for policies that support a skilled, inclusive workforce, strong and sustainable infrastructure, a competitive business environment, and healthy communities – the foundations of productivity and prosperity.”

Some of the key recommendations of the OCC Advocacy Day delegation are:

1. Investing in inclusive workforce development: To address labour shortages, investments to resolve skills mismatches are vital. These initiatives should be designed to close the gap between current workforce skills and the evolving demands of Ontario’s labour market.
2. Enhancing sustainable infrastructure: Strategic investments in smart and sustainable infrastructure, including transportation, clean energy and digital connectivity, can boost immediate economic activity while supporting long-term growth. This includes expanding broadband access in rural and remote areas and upgrading public transit and road networks.
3. Fostering a business-friendly environment: Implementing policies that reduce red tape and create a conducive environment for business growth is essential. This includes reviewing and streamlining regulatory processes, providing tax incentives for businesses looking to grow and targeted support for small businesses.
4. Cultivating resilient, healthy communities: Improving health data system integration, addressing capacity gaps in health human resources, and empowering municipalities with new revenue sources are crucial steps in ensuring the well-being of Ontarians and fostering community prosperity.

The OCC will hold its ninth annual Advocacy Day at Queens Park on Feb 27, 2024. Hundreds of its members from across the province will meet with representatives from all parties to discuss how they can work together to improve Ontario’s productivity and achieve inclusive, sustainable prosperity.

Thank you to the OCC’s presenting partner, Chambers Plan, and event partners, Bruce Power, CN, Uber Canada, and Waste Connections of Canada.

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 About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-025