Advocacy Work

2024: Canadian Chamber of Commerce Policy Agenda and Amplifier

Dec 17, 2024

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM and Convention offers our regional chambers an opportunity to elevate the concerns of our local business communities to a federal level. We are proud to have sat on the Ontario Advocacy Advisory Committee and helped support, amend, or defeat policy resolutions proposed at this year’s CCC AGM.

Letter to MP Lloyd Longfield Re: GST/HST Holiday Tax Break

Dec 3, 2024

A letter to MP Lloyd Longfield to urge for improved communication and support for businesses navigating the December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, GST/HST tax break.

Letter to MP Lloyd Longfield Re: Strike at Canada Post

Dec 3, 2024

A letter to MP Lloyd Longfield urging immediate intervention to do everything necessary to end the strike that has now shut down operations at Canada Post for more than two weeks.

Letter to City Council on Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan Public Meeting - 2024-451, 2024-451

Nov 13, 2024

The lack of affordable housing in Guelph harms the community’s prosperity. The City’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a positive step, but feedback from developers suggests certain criteria limit its effectiveness. The Guelph Chamber urges further engagement with developers to improve the CIP and ensure its success

Letter calling for action to avert a disruption in Canada’s Class I Railways

Aug 27, 2024

Shakiba Shayani, President & CEO of the Guelph Chamber writes a letter to MP Lloyd Longfield, calling for action to avert a disruption in Canada’s Class I Railways, which affects Guelph's supply chains and external commerce.

Letter regarding Mayoral Direction B4 - Temporary Structured Encampment

Jul 16, 2024

Shakiba Shayani, President & CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, writes a letter to the Mayor and the City Council regarding Mayoral Direction B4 - Temporary Structured Encampment.

Letter to City Council on Strategic Real Estate Partnerships on Underutilized City-Owned Assets

Jun 28, 2024

Shakiba Shayani, President & CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, writes a letter to the Mayor and City Council regarding the Strategic Real Estate Partnerships on Underutilized City-Owned Assets.

2024 Provincial Policy Amplifier

Jun 5, 2024

Annually, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) provides the Ontario Chamber Network an opportunity for regional chambers of commerce to elevate issues impacting business to the provincial level. Based on these policy resolutions, the Ontario Chamber Network will advocate to the provincial government. We've highlighted those most relevant to Gu...

Federal Budget Statement 

Apr 24, 2024

On April 16th, the federal government released the 2024 Budget: Fairness for Every Generation. While the budget introduced funding for key issues, such as building more homes, innovation in AI, and improving interprovincial trade, the lack of funding towards attracting private investment will do little to address Canada’s productivity crisis.