Policy Updates & News 258 results

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Rapid Policy Update: Ontario Introducing a Cap and Trade System: What Businesses need to know

· by Huzaifa Saeed

Earlier today, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that her government will be implementing a cap and trade system as part of its strategy to reduce Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Globally, rising GHG levels are the main contributor to climate change.

This represents a significant policy shift that will have implications for Ontario’s business community.

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Hamilton Chamber of Commerce applauds funding for the Arts Community and Organizations

· by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, March 25th, 2015 – The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce applauds Hamilton City Council for approving a $500,000 increase in the 2015 budget to establish the Arts Program category of the City Enrichment Fund. The allocation is the first budgetary increase for the Arts community in over 15 years.

Over the last five years, the city’s Art Task Force had completed comprehensive research including identifying current programs, a comprehensive survey of arts community funding needs and a comparison of municipal arts funding practices in other Canadian cities.

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Chamber Presents Pre-Budget Submissions to the City and Province

· by Huzaifa Saeed

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has submitted two pre-budget submission documents to the municipal and provincial government over the last month. The submissions highlight our recommendations to the respective elected officials on the priorities of the Chamber.

1) Provincial Pre-Budget Submission: The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce submitted our pre-budget submission outlining our membership’s provincial priorities to Finance Minister Charles Sousa as part of their public consultation process.

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Hamilton Chamber of Commerce hosting funding workshop: Social Capital Partners

· by Huzaifa Saeed

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite you to a special information and feedback session on employment led by Social Capital Partners (SCP’s) on Thursday March 26, 2015.

SCP develops new approaches to addressing Canada’s employment challenges. They design and prove new models that benefit both employers and job seekers and collaborate with strategic partners that can have the greatest impact. 

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5 Minute Business Intelligence by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce: “Home Sweet Home: Is US Housing Set for Growth?”

· by Huzaifa Saeed

The 4th quarter was disappointing for economic growth in the US, but buried in the details is a lot of great news. In fact, the sector that could benefit the most in the coming growth cycle is US housing, because it has reached a turning point due to pent-up demand. This could provide a major boost to US consumer spending and, of course, Canadian business.

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Canadian Chamber Network Unveils Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness for 2015  

· by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton, February 17, 2015—The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its nationwide network of chambers of commerce, associations and businesses, including with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, unveiled its Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness list for 2015. The Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness is an initiative the Canadian chamber network undertook in 2012 to draw attention to the barriers that are holding back Canada’s progress and to urge all levels of governments to act more swiftly in increasing our country’s ability to compete globally.

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OCC Rapid Policy Update: Government of Ontario setting out vision for Carbon Pricing

· by Huzaifa Saeed

Today the Government of Ontario released a consultation document that outlines the options it is considering to deliver on its commitment to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions in the province.


The Government is Set to Put a Price on Carbon

We do not yet know the specifics of how the government will proceed on carbon pricing, but the consultation document confirms that the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is weighing several options for market mechanisms that would be used to price carbon in Ontario.

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Hamilton Region Economic Outlook 2015 Report: Hamilton Economy to Benefit from Lower Canadian Dollar and US Recovery, Manufacturing Sector Grows

· by Huzaifa Saeed

Hamilton Economy to Benefit from Lower Canadian Dollar and US Recovery, Manufacturing Sector Grows

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Credit Unions of Ontario release 2015 economic outlook for Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area

Hamilton, ON, February 11th , 2015: Hamilton is set to outpace the provincial average in terms of employment gains and expand at a faster pace than communities in its broader region, according to a new economic outlook from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Credit Unions of Ontario.

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Quarterly Business Regulatory Update: Brought to you by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

· by Huzaifa Saeed

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) quarterly Regulatory Update summarizes what employers need to know about the latest changes to the regulatory environment for businesses. Please review the disclaimer at the bottom of the post before utilizing the information contained within this blog post.


EI Premium Rates Dropping 15% for Some Businesses

In effect January 1, 2015

The Government of Canada has announced a new Small Business Job Credit that will lower Employment Insurance (EI) premium rates for small businesses as of January 1, 2015.

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