The OCC is Ontario’s largest, most inclusive, and credible business network.
A respected voice among government decision-makers, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is Ontario’s non-partisan business advocate. The OCC undertakes the province’s most pressing policy issues on behalf of our members, and advocates for evidence-based solutions that will foster economic growth in the province. The OCC’s work is based on the belief that a strong business community is the foundation for a prosperous Ontario.
Together with our 60,000 members, the Ontario Chamber Network makes up Ontario’s largest, most inclusive, and credible business network. Learn how you can become a part of this powerful network.
Determining our agenda
The OCC conducts research and develops policy that aims to attract investment and business growth in the province. OCC members drive our policy work, shaping our advocacy through a policy resolution process. Each year Ontario’s Chamber Network gathers at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Convention to debate and define the resolutions that inform advocacy efforts for the coming year. See our current policy compendium tabled from our latest AGM.
The OCC also leverages the expertise of our board of directors and corporate membership through a policy committee and task force that helps to shape our policy priorities and processes.
Advocacy Wins
Province Investing in Cybersecurity Innovation
In our report, In Data We Trust: Unlocking the Value of Data in Ontario, we call on the government to work with industry groups to assess the strengths and weaknesses of cybersecurity defences across the economy and, where appropriate, help to address them.
In August 2023, the Province announced an investment of up to $5 million to help Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange launch the Ontario Cybersecurity Excellence Initiative that will help Ontario companies develop and adopt cybersecurity technologies that enhance data security and protect company assets from cyber threats and other advanced technologies.
Province releases electricity plan
In a letter to the Minister of Energy, we call on the Government of Ontario to balance affordability, reliability, and climate resilience within the province’s energy system. Our electricity policy primer highlights the need to invest in power assets to keep up with forecasted demand.
In July 2023, the Province released the ‘Powering Ontario’s Growth’ plan, outlining the actions the province is taking to meet demand for electricity. These actions include new zero-emissions electricity generation, long-duration storage and transmission lines.
Province taking positive steps to attract new investments in clean energy.
In our 2023 budget submission, we called on the Government of Ontario to work with industry to procure clean, reliable electricity by providing long-term certainty to attract new investments in clean energy and be technology agnostic with respect to all forms of supply, including new nuclear.
In July 2023, the Province announced it would begin pre-development work to site a large-scale nuclear build to prepare for rising electricity demand, power electrification and support strong economic growth.
Province provides regulatory approval to convert landfill methane to renewable natural gas
In our 2023 budget submission, we called on the Government of Ontario to reconsider the proposal to ban organic material from landfills or exempt landfills that convert waste emissions to renewable natural gas.
In July 2023, regulatory approval was provided to Enbridge Gas to convert landfill methane to renewable natural gas. This progress will make Ontario a leader in greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
Expanding Access to French-Language Nursing Programs
Ask: The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 budget submission called on the Province to invest in Ontario’s health human resources to address current and future demands in our health care system. In a letter to the Ministry of Health and key stakeholders, we highlight the need to support greater participation of individuals from Francophone communities looking to pursue post-secondary healthcare education.
Win: In June 2023, the Province announced the expansion of French-language nursing education with the launch of a new stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at College Boréal and $630,000 in funding to support an additional 70 nursing spaces for the 2023/24 year. This initiative will support more equitable access to care across the province.