Pro-Growth Policy Solutions Critical for Canada’s Post-Pandemic Recovery

(Toronto – September 21, 2021) – Today Rocco Rossi, President, and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the following statement in response to the results of the Canadian Federal Election:

“On behalf of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Ontario Chamber Network, we would like to congratulate and thank all those who stepped up and put their names forward to serve in their communities during the federal election. My heartfelt congratulations to Justin Trudeau on assuming his third mandate as Prime Minister of Canada. With businesses, organizations, associations, unions, and post-secondary institutions continuing to feel the impacts of the pandemic, we look forward to working with the government on pro-growth policy solutions that will bolster Canada’s long-term economic future and propel our post-pandemic recovery.

“Over the past five weeks, the OCC has highlighted numerous policy recommendations on behalf of our 60,000 members in 155+ communities through our Ontario Business Matters federal election campaign. As the economy continues to reopen and recover, pragmatic solutions must be developed to address longstanding issues including barriers to interprovincial trade, low immigration quotas, and workforce development challenges:

1. Workforce Recovery and Business Competitiveness. As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, Ontario businesses need strategic support from the federal government to strengthen the key enablers of competitiveness, including advancing re-skilling opportunities for those hit hardest by the pandemic as well as access to interprovincial and global trade, capital, and talent.
2. Healthy People and Prosperous Communities. The COVID-19 crisis has strained Ontario’s health care system and the economic impacts have been disproportionate for small businesses, women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, and racialized peoples. To ensure an inclusive post-pandemic recovery in our province, Canada needs to invest in community well-being through reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, child care, and health care.
3. Resilient Infrastructure. Infrastructure connects Ontarians to jobs, education, goods, services, and the people they love. The federal government should be a critical partner in accelerating investments in digital infrastructure and building modern, low-carbon infrastructure to drive our economic recovery.

“We all want to put the pandemic behind us with economic recovery remaining top-of-mind for the business community. As we navigate the fourth wave, businesses are calling on the government to take the necessary steps to prevent future lockdowns and allow them to remain open. This includes adopting a national standard for proof-of-immunization, in collaboration with the provinces and territories.

“Over the past 18 months, local chambers and boards of trade have advocated for their businesses and members’ needs. We look forward to continuing to work with your government on Canada’s rapid recovery and long-term growth.”

For more information about the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Ontario Business Matters campaign, please visit our website.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca | Mobile: 647-936-6734