US Ambassador to Canada, Ontario Minister of Finance and Toronto Mayor Share Province’s Growth Potential at the Ontario Economic Summit

(TORONTO – November 28, 2022) – The first time since the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 300 industry professionals from across the country gathered from November 22 to 23 for the Ontario Economic Summit (OES) at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Attendees heard from world-class speakers including Ambassador David L. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada; Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, Ontario; and His Worship, Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto.

While multiple speakers spoke of the difficulties Ontario has faced since the turn of the decade, from COVID-19, supply chain issues and labour shortages, an unbridled sense of optimism carried through the conference.

Minister Bethlenfalvy spoke at length about the recent uncertain economic times that Ontarians are facing and emphasized the work that the province is putting in to be a world leader in several industries. “We have to champion Canada,” he said, “We have to champion Ontario.”

“The United States has no closer friend or ally in the world than Canada,” said Ambassador Cohen, speaking in conversation at OES, “There may have been difficulties in the past. Now there’s leadership that really believes in the importance of growing our enduring relationship and friendship.”

“We need businesses to help revive our downtown core. Toronto accounts for 20% of the entire country’s GDP,” said Mayor Tory in his opening remarks, “But I’m optimistic; Ontario is the greatest place in the world to live.”

Panel discussions focused on solutions to Canada’s current healthcare crisis, the cost of climate inaction and the importance of fostering a diverse talent pipeline in the province.

“This is about building community, building the province and the country,” said Rocco Rossi, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, “Ontario is in the unique position to become a leader in multiple sectors, and we believe that Ontario is capable of creating an environment to support long-term growth, productivity, resilience and competitiveness.”

OES is an annual conference where industry leaders meet to develop the blueprint to bolster Ontario’s prosperity. This year’s theme is Building Ontario’s Growth Agenda. The full program for this year’s summit is available here.

For the past 19 years, OES has brought together leaders from business, labour, academia, the not-for-profit sector, and government to shape Ontario’s public policy agenda and strengthen Ontario’s economy.

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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.

About the Ontario Economic Summit

The Ontario Economic Summit is the forum for visionary leaders in the public, private, education and not-for-profit sectors, to shape Ontario’s future growth and role in the global economy.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs
andreacarmona@occ.ca | 647-234-0255