Policy & Advocacy

As outlined in a meeting with Minister Bethlenfalvy earlier this year and consistent with our ongoing advocacy efforts, the Ontario Chamber has called for enhanced access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), specifically focused on boosting productivity through technology investment and operational improvements.

On July 16, the Ontario government introduced an investment of $7.5 million to help small and medium-sized businesses modernize and grow by adopting digital technologies. This funding, directed towards initiatives like the Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) and the new Retail Modernization Project Grant, directly addresses our recommendations to:

1. Enhance access to capital for technology adoption, with grants up to $115,000 to help businesses invest in digital solutions, from online payment systems to AI.
2. Streamline support for technology-driven growth, making it easier for businesses to access the tools and expertise needed to boost productivity and sales.

Read the release

In its 2025 Ontario Budget Submission, the OCC called on the government to invest in action addressing labour shortages across sectors including construction, AI, healthcare, and manufacturing by building on existing skills development partnerships. Read the OCC’s 2025 Ontario Budget Submission.

On June 11, the Ontario government introduced My Career Journey, an interactive tool that connects students and job seekers with workforce information and career pathways in high-demand fields such as skilled trades, health care, education, and technology. This initiative aligns closely with the Ontario Chamber’s 2025 Provincial Budget Submission, which called for targeted action to address labour shortages across sectors including construction, AI, healthcare, and manufacturing by building on existing skills development partnerships.

In its 2025 Ontario Budget Submission, the OCC called on the government to promote the adoption and expansion of innovative construction technologies, such as modular construction and 3D-printed housing, and support the use of tools like the Rural Housing Information System by sharing best practices and providing resources to encourage province-wide adoption. Read the OCC’s 2025 Ontario Budget Submission.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget advances innovative housing solutions with a $50 million investment over five years through Invest Ontario to grow industrial capacity in modular construction. This funding supports the expansion of production-line technology and adoption of new construction methods to increase housing supply, speed up development timelines, and reduce costs. These measures align with the OCC’s call to support modular housing initiatives as part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis in Ontario.

On October 7, 2024, the OCC called on the provincial government – through a letter to Ministers Jones and Fedeli – to prioritize supporting Life Sciences funding in Ontario. Specifically, we recommended that Ontario expand funding, improve access to biomanufacturing infrastructure, strengthen IP support, and create a more competitive investment environment. This includes dedicated funding streams, targeted tax credits, and measures to close the urgent seed funding gap.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget allocates an additional $15 million over three years to renew the Life Sciences Innovation Fund to address challenges in the venture capital sector. This funding will provide early-stage support to life sciences companies that are raising seed or pre-seed investment rounds, helping them move from concept to commercialization. The investment aligns with the OCC’s recommendation to strengthen Ontario’s life sciences ecosystem by improving access to capital, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting long-term innovation and health outcomes.

On April 15, the OCC submitted a letter to Minister Lecce calling on the provincial government to accelerate energy infrastructure and long-term planning, and drive innovation and climate solutions, including through investments in diverse clean energy and low-carbon resources, such as biomass, biofuels, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget announces a new round of the Hydrogen Innovation Fund with a $30 million investment. This funding supports a broader range of applications, including grid-integrated and transportation-focused projects, advancing innovation and low-carbon energy adoption. These initiatives align with the OCC’s call to strengthen long-term energy planning, boost reliability, and foster a diversified energy system that supports Ontario’s expanding economy.

The OCC has long advocated for investments in digital training programs for businesses, including in our report, Broken Links. The report details the challenges that SMEs face in adopting technology including, limited access to resources and skills, and calls for targeted investments to enhance their digital readiness and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving economy.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget includes continued investments to enable small businesses to grow, upskill and transition. This includes a $7.5 million investment in the Digitalization Competence Centre to help businesses adopt and implement digital technologies as well as $1.9 million over three years to establish business succession planning services through Ontario’s network of Small Business Enterprise Centres. With over 450,000 SMEs operating in the province, the OCC is encouraged to see targeted investments in Ontario’s workers and businesses. These supports will strengthen businesses in all sectors to remain agile in a rapidly evolving global economic landscape.

On May 1, in letter to Minister Bethlenfalvy, the OCC urged the provincial government to support access to capital for small-and-medium sized enterprises with a specific focus on enhancing productivity through technology investment or operational improvement.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget delivers key investments aligned with OCC priorities, including $5 billion in liquidity relief for businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs, along with targeted supports such as $7.5 million for digital adoption and $1.9 million for succession planning. The Budget also includes $600 million for Invest Ontario and $90 million for Venture Ontario to accelerate growth in key sectors like AI, life sciences and defence, investments that will benefit SMEs operating within these sectors. These targeted measures will strengthen Ontario’s competitiveness, scaling SMEs, and attracting global investment.

In a to Premier Ford on March 4, the OCC urged the government to prioritize targeted support for industries most affected by U.S. tariffs. It recommended programs that help businesses invest in productivity-enhancing measures, adapt to global economic shifts, and build long-term resilience. Rather than offering short-term cash injections, the letter encouraged the government to focus on reducing investor risk and making strategic investments that strengthen business capacity and sustainability.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget introduced a range of measures to support businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs. Building on $9 billion in cash flow relief through tax deferrals and WSIB rate reductions, the province has committed up to $5 billion from the Protecting Ontario Account to provide immediate liquidity and broader support for trade-affected firms. An additional $40 million through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program will help local industries transition to domestic procurement and strengthen their supply chains. Targeted support for the auto sector includes $85 million through the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network. A further $50 million over three years will establish the Ontario Together Trade Fund, helping manufacturers retool operations, reshore production, and access new markets. These initiatives build on the province’s broader efforts to unlock internal trade and labour mobility across Canada.

In its 2025 Ontario Budget Submission, the OCC called on the government to take meaningful action toward economic reconciliation by expanding access to financing, legal support, training, and mentorship for Indigenous businesses and communities. The OCC also recommended continued investment in Indigenous economic development programs and education pathways to increase labour market participation and entrepreneurship, while improving representation in high-demand sectors such as skilled trades and STEM. Read the OCC’s 2025 Ontario Budget Submission.

Ontario’s 2025 Budget delivers progress with a $2 billion expansion of the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program (formerly the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program), supporting Indigenous participation in critical minerals, infrastructure, and resource development projects. Additionally, $70 million over four years will be invested through the Indigenous Participation Fund to support community involvement in regulatory processes, and $10 million over three years will establish Resource Development Scholarships for First Nation students pursuing careers in the resource sector. These investments align with the OCC’s call to foster inclusive growth and advance economic reconciliation.

In the 2025 Ontario Budget Submission, the OCC called for expanded use of surplus public lands for affordable housing, tailored regional housing strategies, and clear definitions of affordability. The OCC also urged reforms to land use planning to support gentle densification, protect employment lands, and enable infrastructure growth. Investments in resilient, sustainable transportation systems and municipal infrastructure were highlighted as critical to enabling economic and population growth. Read the OCC’s 2025 Ontario Budget Submission.

On May 12, 2025, the Government of Ontario introduced the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025. This includes adding $400 million in immediate funding to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) and Municipal Housing Infrastructure Fund (MHIP) to help municipalities build critical infrastructure like roads, water, and wastewater systems. The proposed legislation also streamlines development approvals and planning timelines to unlock housing supply. These measures directly reflect the OCC’s recommendations to enable faster housing construction, modernize planning frameworks, and invest in growth-enabling infrastructure. Read the release: Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter

In the 2025 Ontario Budget Submission, the OCC recommended expanding team-based primary care models through collaboration with community partners and ensuring equitable access to care in rural, remote, and underserved communities. The Chamber also called for enhanced training pathways for allied health professionals, increased virtual care funding, and better integration of regional credentialing systems to improve service delivery. Read the OCC’s 2025 Ontario Budget Submission.

On May 7, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced up to $300 million to build or expand 17 community-based primary care teaching clinics, with a focus on high-need and underserviced communities. The announcement also outlines the government’s ongoing support for interprofessional models of care, aligned with OCC’s recommendations to expand team-based delivery, address health human resource shortages, and improve equitable access. Read the release: Ontario Taking Next Steps to Protect Primary Care.

The OCC’s Climate Action Series and climate report, aim to build awareness and promote Ontario’s leadership in the green economy, emphasizing the importance of climate adaptation measures to protect communities from severe weather events and natural disasters.

On May 5, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced an investment of an additional $5 million to help communities prepare for and respond to emergencies through the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. This funding will support local training, purchase of critical equipment and improve infrastructure to support community resilience in the face of future emergencies.

The OCC called on the provincial government—through a letter to Ministers Lecce, Sarkaria, and Surma on April 15—to prioritize strategic infrastructure investments and leverage tax levers that could strengthen Ontario’s manufacturing sector. Specifically, we recommended dedicated funding for industrial infrastructure, site readiness, and workforce development, as well as enhancements to the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. We stressed that these measures are essential to improving supply chain efficiency, attracting new investment, and protecting high-value, trade-exposed jobs across Ontario. These priorities were also reinforced during the OCC’s participation in the 2025 pre-budget consultations.

On May 5, 2025, the Ontario government announced two major commitments aligned with the OCC’s recommendations:

1. $1.3 Billion Investment in Manufacturing Infrastructure:
   The government unveiled a $1.3 billion package to support Ontario’s manufacturing sector, including funding to modernize critical infrastructure, enhance site readiness, and expand workforce training programs. This investment is expected to safeguard over 100,000 jobs, increase productivity, and position Ontario as a North American leader in advanced manufacturing.
2. Enhancement and Expansion of the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit:
   To further protect manufacturing jobs amid rising global uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs, the government is enhancing the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit by increasing the rate from 10% to 15% for Canadian-controlled private corporations and expanding eligibility to non-Canadian-controlled corporations through a non-refundable With these changes, eligible businesses could receive up to $3 million per year credit. With these changes, eligible businesses could receive up to $3 million per year in tax relief for investments in manufacturing-related buildings, machinery, and equipment. Read the release: Ontario Investing $1.3 Billion to Protect Manufacturing Workers and Jobs.

The OCC has repeatedly called on the Government of Ontario to invest in post-secondary institutions, including by enhancing research funding to bolster the province’s position as a leader in innovation and its ability to attract top-tier global talent. Funding can enable researchers to engage with and study cutting-edge technologies, elevating our capacity for knowledge creation, mobilization, and commercialization. These perspectives were outlined in a March 19 letter to Ministers Quinn and Bethlenfalvy, and echoed in a meeting with Minister  Bethlenfalvy on April 22.

On April 25, 2025, ​the Ontario government announced it is investing $75 million in 162 research and innovation projects across the province. This funding supports advancements in key sectors such as life sciences, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, with the goal of driving economic growth and job creation. The investments are part of Ontario’s commitment to fostering homegrown innovation and ensuring the province remains competitive in the global economy. Read the release: Ontario Driving Homegrown Innovation in Key Sectors

Through its Culture Sector Initiative, the Ontario Chamber has advocated for sustained investment in festivals, events, and cultural activities to drive economic growth, support local businesses, and enhance community well-being. Strengthening Ontario’s cultural sector is critical to fostering regional economic development, attracting visitors, and creating jobs—particularly in sectors that were hit hardest by the pandemic. Continued investment will help ensure that arts and culture remain key drivers of Ontario’s competitiveness. Read the OCC’s full report: OCC Arts and Culture Initiative

On April 24, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced an investment of $20 million through the Experience Ontario 2025 Program to support festivals and events across the province. This funding will help organizers deliver vibrant experiences that attract visitors, support local businesses, and showcase Ontario’s diverse communities. These investments will create jobs, boost regional economies, and strengthen Ontario’s cultural and tourism sectors, directly aligning with the OCC’s calls for targeted support for arts, culture, and events as outlined in our Arts and Culture Initiative. Read the full release: Ontario Investing $20 Million to Support Festivals and Events Across the Province

The OCC has long advocated for the urgent need to strengthen Ontario’s postsecondary education system to build a resilient workforce and drive economic growth. As outlined in our April 15, 2025 letter to Ministers Quinn and Piccini, and reinforced in our 2024 Provincial Budget Submission, we are calling for increased base operating grants, fully funded enrolment expansion, and greater investment in research to ensure institutions can deliver high-quality education, address labour shortages, and support innovation. In particular, the Ontario Chamber has emphasized the need to boost skills training, reskilling, and upskilling initiatives in partnership with government, industry, and academia. These investments are essential to securing Ontario’s long-term economic competitiveness.

On April 22, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced $750 million in new investments for the postsecondary education sector. The announcement introduces financial support for institutions, measures to enhance accountability and sustainability, and initiatives to ensure students continue to have access to high-quality education. These investments will fund up to 20,500 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) seats per year, building a skilled, made-in-Ontario talent pool connected to the provinces colleges and universities to address talent gaps, and ensure students graduate with the skills employers need.  Read the full release: Ontario Protecting Workers and Jobs by Investing in Postsecondary Education

The OCC has been a vocal advocate for the development of the Ring of Fire, emphasizing its potential to significantly bolster Ontario’s economy. In January 2025, the OCC released a statement in support of Ontario’s plan to accelerate strategic resource development, highlighting the importance of addressing challenges such as access to capital, workforce gaps, and regulatory approvals. The OCC has been a staunch proponent of streamlining of regulatory processes, particularly in the Ring of Fire, to realize Ontario’s potential, provided that environmental integrity is ensured and Indigenous and treaty rights are upheld. Through the OCC’s Mining Initiative, the chamber continues to work with a diverse range of industry stakeholders to understand the challenges the sector faces and opportunities to unlock Ontario’s mining potential.

On April 17, the Government of Ontario introduced the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. If passed, this legislation would cut red tape and duplicative processes that delay and increase business risk during the development of critical infrastructure, mining and resource development projects including in the Ring of Fire. Streamlining the process for permitting and authorization will serve to minimize delays, lower costs and speed up the approvals process.

The OCC has been a long supporter and advocate of dismantling barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility. The Chamber has called for the province to take bold national leadership on interprovincial trade by signing mutual recognition agreements and/or unilaterally recognizing standards in other parts of the country, where appropriate, to promote trade and labour mobility. Most recently, the Chamber collaborated with Canada’s provincial and territorial chambers of commerce to call on all provincial premiers to commit to strengthening the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) by expanding regulatory harmonization and removing remaining protectionist barriers, as well as accelerate credential recognition for internationally trained professionals, including engineers, physicians, nurses, paramedics, and laboratory technologists. Read the OCC’s 2024 Provincial Budget Submission and the Chambers of the Federation Agenda.

On April 16, the Premier of Ontario, announced new legislation to break down interprovincial trade and labour mobility barriers. The Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, 2025, if passed, would make Ontario the first province to remove all its CFTA exceptions, allowing certified workers and goods from across Canada to move freely. This move is expected to create jobs, attract investment, and reduce consumer costs by up to 14.5%. Read the release: Ontario Unlocking Free Trade Within Canada

The OCC has long been a proud supporter of transportation investments that drive regional economic growth, tourism and job creation. Investments in Canada’s rail infrastructure would benefit Ontario significantly, driving economic development along passenger corridors, reducing carbon emissions and offering more transit options for commuters and travellers. Such investments are particularly vital given Canada’s population growth and unprecedented demands on our existing transportation system. Read the OCC’s 2024 Federal Budget Submission.

On February 19, 2025, the Prime Minister announced that Canada is developing a high-speed rail network in the Toronto-Quebec City corridor. This rail network will span approximately 1,000 kilometers and reach speeds of up to 300 km/hour. Once operational, this project will cut travel times by half. This infrastructure investment is projected to boost Canada’s GDP by up to $35 billion and create over 51,000 jobs during construction. Read the release.

In the OCC’s 2024 Provincial Budget Submission, we called on the government to take bold national leadership on interprovincial trade by signing mutual recognition agreements and/or unilaterally recognizing standards in other parts of the country, where appropriate, to promote trade and labour mobility.

In August 2024, the Government of Ontario signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Nova Scotia to improve interprovincial mobility for skilled tradespeople, including post-journeyperson certification. The Province continues to seek new ways to improve the labour supply and create the opportunity for qualified skilled tradespeople to become certified in Ontario and address labour shortages.

In several letters, submissions and engagements with federal and provincial government representatives, the OCC has highlighted that the lack of consistent or harmonized regulations across provinces and territories harms productivity and workers.  The OCC has called on governments to address labour shortages in the trucking industry, particularly acute for small business operators to support economic growth and prosperity.

In September 2024, the Government of Canada launched a pilot project to mutually recognize regulatory requirements in the trucking sector. This coalition Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.  Under this new trucking pilot, participating provinces and territories will commit to recognizing each other’s regulatory requirements, even where differences exist allowing trucks and the goods they carry to move across Canada more effectively, without compromising safety and security measures. Read the release.

In a meeting with Minister Bethlenfalvy earlier this year, and through ongoing advocacy efforts, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) called for enhanced access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on boosting productivity through technology investment and operational improvements. The OCC emphasized the need to streamline support for digital adoption and ensure businesses have the tools to modernize and grow.

On July 16, the Government of Ontario announced a $7.5 million investment to help SMEs modernize and grow through digital technologies. This funding supports initiatives such as the Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) and the new Retail Modernization Project Grant, which offer grants of up to $115,000 to help businesses adopt digital solutions—from online payment systems to AI-driven tools. This announcement directly aligns with OCC’s recommendations to enhance access to capital, simplify support for technology-driven growth, and strengthen Ontario’s SME ecosystem.

In its 2022 Policy Primer on Supply Chain Disruptions and Delays, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) urged the provincial government to invest in shipbuilding infrastructure, support local manufacturing, and strengthen workforce development to address vulnerabilities in Ontario’s supply chains.

On June 25, the Ontario government announced a $215 million investment in the provincial shipbuilding sector, including funding for infrastructure upgrades, workforce training, and domestic production. This aligns with the OCC’s recommendations to modernize trade infrastructure, support strategic sectors, and build a more resilient supply chain.

In its 2025 Ontario Budget Submission, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) called on the government to prioritize investments throughout the life sciences ecosystem, including strategically matching federal dollars in biomanufacturing and life sciences to ensure Ontario remains competitive with Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.

On August 19, the Ontario government announced a $5 million investment through the Ontario Wet Labs Program (OWLP) to support the outfitting of a new state-of-the-art wet lab at the University of Ottawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC). This facility, part of the $16 million Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, will accelerate commercialization, foster research collaboration, and support the creation of over 750 high-value jobs, which aligns with the OCC’s recommendations.

In a letter to Minister Flack, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) expressed strong support for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) call for a $3.45 billion annual infrastructure and housing stimulus over five years. The OCC emphasized that rising tariffs and global trade disruptions were increasing cost pressures on municipal infrastructure projects, projects that are essential to Ontario’s economic competitiveness. The OCC urged the government to invest in growth-enabling infrastructure, including water, wastewater, transportation, and affordable housing, to protect jobs, attract investment, and support long-term productivity.

On August 30, the Government of Ontario announced a $1.2 billion investment through the new Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), with an additional $625 million committed for future years. This funding will help municipalities build and upgrade critical infrastructure needed to support new housing developments across the province. The announcement directly aligns with the OCC and AMO’s call for urgent, strategic investment in municipal infrastructure to unlock housing supply, support workforce mobility, and strengthen Ontario’s economic foundations.

In its 2025 Federal Budget Submission, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) called on the Government of Canada to enhance work-integrated learning opportunities for students prior to graduation by strengthening connections between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and academia to build a resilient domestic talent pipeline and drive innovation.

On September 27, the Government of Canada announced new investments to expand collaboration between businesses and post-secondary institutions. These investments include facilitating 8,000 student placements and directly engaging 2,500 more private sector employers by March 2028 and support for the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, helping students gain hands-on experience and supporting Canadian businesses in accessing the talent they need to grow. This announcement aligns with the OCC’s recommendation to better connect students and SMEs, ensuring Canada’s workforce is future-ready and competitive.

In its 2024 Federal Budget Submission, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) called on the Government of Canada to work collaboratively with provinces and territories to unlock additional funding to support and grow our medical isotope ecosystem. The OCC emphasized the importance of establishing Canada’s strategic global advantage in this sector by partnering with Indigenous communities, post-secondary institutions, hospitals, and industry.

On August 19, the Government of Canada announced the installation of a second Isotope Production System (IPS) at Bruce Power’s CANDU Unit 6 reactor. This expansion will significantly increase the plant’s capacity to produce lutetium-177, a medical isotope used in targeted cancer therapies. This is a partnership between government, Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Bruce Power to produce, advance, and market new medical isotopes in support of the global fight against cancer. This aligns with OCC’s call to boost isotope innovation, support Indigenous partnerships, and grow Canada’s global competitiveness in nuclear medicine.

In our 2024 provincial budget submission, we called on the government to drive innovation in Ontario’s life sciences ecosystem. Specifically, we highlighted the need to expedite the implementation of the province’s life sciences strategy and prioritize investments throughout the ecosystem. In October 2024, we sent a letter to Minister Fedeli and Minister Jones calling for the government to accelerate the implementation and broaden the scope of the Province’s life sciences strategy. As a member of the Life Sciences Collaborative, we collectively voiced the need for government to champion investments in life sciences and support Ontario’s economic recovery in the report, Building Ontario’s Resiliency: Empowering the Life Sciences Ecosystem.

In October 2024, the Government Ontario announced the next phase of Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level, Ontario’s life science strategy. This includes a $146 million investment to spur the sector’s growth of which up to $46 million will go towards the Ontario Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund, helping to boost research capacity at postsecondary institutions and affiliated research hospitals. Read the release.