From October 21 to 26, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), in partnership with Desjardins, will celebrate Small Business Week. This commemorative week is an opportunity to celebrate and express our gratitude to small businesses while examining opportunities to help them navigate economic uncertainty and challenges. Read the release.
This year’s Thank You (TY) Small Business campaign will underscore the vital contributions small businesses make to their communities and the broader economy in four pillars.
Four Guiding Pillars:
Pillar 1 – Connectivity: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential for maintaining healthy trade relationships and resilient supply chains, ensuring the steady flow of goods and services that keep our communities and economy thriving.
Pillar 2 – Productivity: As Ontario’s productivity continues to fall behind peer jurisdictions, building the capacity of small businesses will be essential. These businesses drive productivity through increased competition, innovation and growth.
Pillar 3 – Affordability: Small businesses have less capacity to absorb debt, adapt to inflationary pressures, and address workforce-related challenges. From the cost of housing to inputs, businesses are being faced with the consequences of Ontario’s affordability challenge.
Pillar 4 – Sustainability: Supporting small businesses continuity and success is not just a transaction; it’s an investment in the heart of local economies.
Campaign Partner
Desjardin's Economic Studies
With the U.S. presidential election around the corner, the Desjardins Economic Studies team has delved into the potential impacts of various election outcomes on the Canadian economy and small businesses. Click here to read the report to learn more.
Canadian small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a large role in Canada’s exports. In this economic study report, Desjardins looks at the challenges and risks for SMEs that Export, and opportunities such as trade diversification (international and provincial), that will support them. Click here to read the report and learn more.
Publications
Exploring innovative solutions and approaches to address Ontario’s housing affordability crisis, our Home Stretched report, supported by Desjardins, offers policy recommendations to the Government on address housing affordability and supply.
Highlighting how procuring from small businesses boosts competition, innovation, job creation and economic growth, our Power of the Purchase Order report takes at opportunities in the public procurement sector to diversify supply chains and bolster productivity through value-based procurement.
Offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province through our flagship Ontario Economic Report.