Chamber Updates & Local News

The Ontario government is preparing young people for in-demand and well-paying careers by allowing students in grade 11 to transition to a full-time, skilled trades apprenticeship program. Upon receiving their Certificate of Apprenticeship, these young workers can apply for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma as mature students. At a time when the province continues to…

The OCC’s 2023 Ontario Economic Report revealed that businesses’ second highest public policy priority is workforce development; and we all know a strong workforce is an inclusive one. We encourage public policy makers to prioritize direct supports for women and other equity-deserving groups in their upcoming budgets to support their economic empowerment and prosperity Read…

The Business Data Lab’s most recent analysis focuses on first quarter data from the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC). Important findings, include: The rising costs of doing business remains the biggest challenge for Canadian companies. Even though inflation is slowing, it’s still the top individual pain point, cited by 58% of businesses, followed by…

It was another month of progress in the Bank of Canada’s fight against inflation, as Canada’s headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation grew at a slower pace of 5.9% year-over-year in January, which was better than the market expectation of 6.2%. It was another step in the right direction as the January CPI data show…

The report by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario, outlining its proposed changes to the province’s federal electoral map, was tabled in the House of Commons February 10th. The Commission was tasked with proposing new boundaries that, as best as possible, maintain population equality while taking into consideration social and geographic factors, including respect…

The seventh annual OER offers unique insights into business perspectives across Ontario. It is informed by data from our annual Business Confidence Survey (BCS) and economic forecasts for the year ahead. The BCS was conducted online from October 18 to November 30 2022, attracting responses from 1,912 organizations across Ontario. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce…

ServiceOntario is also enhancing the customer experience through a number of pilot programs including virtual services. Eligible Ontarians who may find it difficult to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person can book virtual appointments to have their health cards renewed through live video calls. For those phoning the Contact Centre, new technology is rolling out to cut…

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be able to share their 2022 Annual Report. Together, the Chamber movement across the country is Canada’s most activated business network, working together to create the conditions for our collective success. The 2022 report demonstrates the value that the Canadian Chamber Network has brought to businesses. The…

“One Stop Talk” program connects youth to mental health counselling by phone, video, text and chat The Ontario government is investing $4.75 million to expand the “One Stop Talk” virtual “walk-in” counselling program to connect children, youth and their families with more convenient and timely ways to access mental health counselling no matter where they live.…

Government’s investments supporting economic growth, protecting jobs and building infrastructure in rural communities The Ontario government is working with its rural municipal partners to build housing, encourage economic growth and development, reduce red tape, strengthen the agri-food sector and promote rural municipalities as great places to live, work and do business. “Our government has a…