Unite, Secure, Build: OCC Congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, Calls for Bold Economic Leadership   

(TORONTO – April 29, 2025) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada on their election victory and urged swift, bold action to strengthen Canada’s economic future. 

“Prime Minister Carney begins his new mandate at a pivotal moment for Canada, one defined by formidable threats but rich with opportunities,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “He must now respond to Canadians’ desire for change with decisive leadership that unites our country, secures our national interests, and builds inclusive, sustainable prosperity.” 

The OCC welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to tackling Canada’s productivity crisis, renewing economic ties with the United States while aggressively diversifying Canada’s trade relationships, and strengthening Canada’s global competitiveness. To support a stable and growing economy, the OCC urges the new government to: 

Stabilize today: 

• Undertake a comprehensive tax and spending review to stimulate investment and growth and identify economic efficiencies.  

• Expedite the renegotiation of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement to provide certainty to businesses. 

• Introduce targeted programs, in collaboration and alignment with provincial and territorial governments, that help businesses hit hardest by tariffs invest in capacity, innovate and adapt. 

Build for tomorrow: 

• Enhance business investment in technology, innovation and intellectual property (IP) by ensuring Canada remains tax-competitive with the U.S., reducing the regulatory burden, and strengthening IP protections. 

• Protect Canadian innovation through procurement policies that prioritize homegrown IP, making it easier for Canadian companies to compete and win. For many growing businesses, a contract is better than a grant. 

• Invest in qualified people and diverse talent by aligning immigration with labour market needs, increasing research funding, and modernizing Employment Insurance to remain sustainable for the next generation. 

• Build growth-enabling infrastructure by working with the provinces on a national energy corridor; reducing the cost, time and risk involved in approving major projects; unlocking private investment in both clean and conventional energy; expanding trade-enabling transportation networks, and improving broadband access across Canada. 

• Strengthen healthy, sustainable communities by expediting the approval of innovative medicines, investing across the life sciences ecosystem, and addressing health human resource shortages. 

“It’s time for Canada to trade complacency for competitiveness – and to lead with courage. With bold policies and collaborative leadership, Canada can compete and win,” added Tisch.  

The Ontario Chamber also congratulated the opposition party leaders on their campaigns and extended its gratitude to all candidates who ran for office in the spirit of serving Canadians.

To read the OCC’s recommendation in more detail, click here.

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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