News & Press Releases

Entire Cabinet Has a Role in Making Ontario Open for Business: Guelph Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber of Commerce

For Immediate Release | Jul 18, 2018

With the legislative session resuming, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Guelph Chamber of Commerce wrote to each provincial Cabinet minister, outlining a blueprint to execute over the next four years that will help make Ontario open for business. The OCC’s blueprint includes both policy asks where immediate action is required to support business and foundational recommendations for long-term prosperity.

A key tool to making this province competitive is reducing red tape. The Guelph Chamber of Commerce and the OCC believe Premier Ford’s step to create a separate Deputy Minister for Red Tape and Regulatory Burden Reduction is an excellent start in lowering the administrative burden felt by Ontario businesses.

“We are providing all Ministers with a blueprint for steps that can be taken to ensure we are growing local economies and building shared prosperity for all,” said Kithio Mwanzia, President & CEO Guelph Chamber of Commerce. “Each ministry has a fundamental role to play in making Ontario open for business and we look forward to working with Premier Ford as well as his cabinet in achieving the policy commitments that support businesses across our community,” continues Mwanzia.

The themes that emerged in the OCC and the Guelph Chamber of Commerce blueprint for making Ontario open for business include:

Fiscal balance: fundamental to economic growth is ensuring that the Government of Ontario’s own fiscal house is in order
Business competitiveness: the most powerful tool in making this province competitive is reducing red tape; we ask that the government prioritize lowering the administrative burden on business and ensure that regulation is streamlined and effective
Investment growth: investing in Ontario through strategic spending is essential to fostering job creation and building healthy and productive communities across the province.
Government accountability: Poor implementation of government initiatives in the past has led to resource waste, mismanagement, and disruption for both businesses and residents.

“To ensure communities like Guelph continue to be Ontario’s jobs powerhouse, we remain committed to working with the Ontario Chamber to ensure that business and government can effectively work together to support evidence-based policies. As Guelph’s business advocate, the Chamber is committed to working with the Ontario government to ensure the public policies introduced contribute to a competitive business environment as well as the economic and social well-being of our community,” Concludes Mwanzia.

To read the full blueprint click here.

For more information, contact Kithio Mwanzia, President & CEO, Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
E: kithio@guelphchamber.com | P: 519-822-8081 | www.guelphchamber.com