Ontario Chamber to Premier: Protect Now, Compete for the Future

(TORONTO – February 28, 2025) – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) congratulates Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party on their re-election and calls for decisive action to protect Ontario’s economy today while securing its long-term competitiveness.

“Premier Ford has a renewed mandate at a defining moment for Ontario and Canada,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “We must choose competitiveness over complacency, diversification over dependence, and resilience over resistance to change.”

To stabilize the economy now, the OCC urges the government to:

• Demonstrate leadership in proactively dismantling interprovincial trade barriers to unlock new market opportunities for Ontario businesses, and to attract talent to the province.
• Triage support for at-risk industries and businesses that would be most affected by tariffs, prioritizing investments in productivity and diversification, and reducing risk for investors.
• Review Ontario’s spending, tax, and regulatory structures to enhance international competitiveness.

Stability must be complemented with a long-term strategy. The OCC is calling for sustained investments in:

• Qualified people and diverse talent to close skills gaps, address labour shortages, and urgently support post-secondary research and education.
• Healthy and sustainable communities that enhance quality of life by modernizing the provincial-municipal fiscal relationship, expanding access to affordable housing, tackling the substance use crisis, and strengthening primary care.
• Growth-enabling infrastructure to boost productivity, modernize supply chains, and improve procurement efficiency.

“Ontario must act now to protect businesses, support workers, and position our province as the most competitive place to invest and grow,” added Tisch. “This is Ontario’s moment to lead.”

The OCC also congratulates the other Ontario party leaders, including NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, as well as all MPPs and candidates. “The Ontario Chamber is grateful for your leadership and dedication to your communities during this time of uncertainty and opportunity,” Tisch concluded.

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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 convenes, mobilizes and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Senior Manager of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255