Hamilton, ON, February 4th: The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has submitted a pre-budget submission in response to a public consultation process announced by the provincial government. The recommendations were also presented to Associate Minister of Finance MPP Mitzie Hunter, MPP Eleanor McMahon and chair of cabinet MPP Jim Bradley at a pre-budget townhall in Hamilton last week.

The document outlines key advocacy priorities for the organization. Key recommendations include:

1. In conjunction with the federal government, the Province of Ontario is encouraged to develop a dedicated urban policy. The policy should, in particular, have a plan for public infrastructure renewal in cities.

2. The provincial government support the place of Hamilton within the North American Manufacturing cluster.

   Metropolitan areas like Hamilton generate over 86 percent of the combined GDP of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Hamilton is conveniently located near major economic clusters on the eastern seaboard of the United States, our port acts as a major Terminus of the St Lawrence Seaway system and the Hamilton International Airport is already a major cargo hub. Additionally, our community has significant assets and a history of world-class manufacturing industries. We have all the ingredients to emerge as an advanced manufacturing hub in North America. However, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area suffers from chronic underfunding of infrastructure, leading to rising congestion costs for our members. We recommend the provincial government prioritize funding trade enabling infrastructure projects, in particular the highway 6 bypass proposal near the village of Morriston.

3. The Province of Ontario should develop a 30-50 year long range transportation plan by 2018.

   Through stakeholder consultations, the plan should map out short, medium and long-term planning and investment objectives for the province. The plan should also work in conjunction with the infrastructure investment ambitions of the Federal Government.

4. The government adopt the ‘better regulation’ approach like that recently implemented by the European Commission to ensure more targeted, quantitative and inclusive decision-making in Ontario.

5. Support the Growth of Hamilton’s Life Science Innovation Cluster

   As highlighted in our 2014 Report titled: “Building a Life Sciences Cluster: A case for Hamilton”, Hamilton has significant existing assets and stakeholder alignment necessary to build a commercial innovation cluster. We recommend that the provincial government maintain and expand its array of research and development funding tools that support research in Hamilton’s post-secondary institutions and hospitals. Additionally, as part of its new cluster strategy explore funding for a physical incubator located in Hamilton and expanded commercialization support for startup ventures.

6. Optimizing the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP)

   On January 26th, 2016, the province of Ontario announced the finalized details for the ORPP. Our Chamber, as part of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce network, has been actively engaged in the ORPP discussion over the last year. We have a series of recommendations to ensure the impact of the program is less onerous on employers and the economy.

7. The provincial government work with local stakeholders and the federal government to mitigate the economic impact of US Steel Bankruptcy.

   Once one of the largest employers in Hamilton, US Steel has suffered from turbulent times and is currently  in the courts under application for bankruptcy. The situation has led to pensioners losing their health benefits and guaranteed income fund. We urge the government to:

   • Work with the federal government to ensure that USSC pensioners have full access to Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund.
   • Work with the province and municipality to explore all options related to reincorporating or selling of US Steel if the bankruptcy is finalized.
   • Explore funding envelopes that will support remediation of US Steel lands towards alternative economic uses.The 328-hectare estate of US Steel is located in a prime waterfront location. Despite the surface contamination, there is potential for the lands to be adapted into greenhouses, warehouses, advanced manufacturing, parks and hotels through government remediation support.

To read the full report please click here: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce provincial budget 2016 recommendation report

Members of the public and businesses are encouraged to participate in the process and are able to submit their input via the options listed here

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If you have any questions or comments feel free to get in touch with:

Huzaifa Saeed

Policy & Research Analyst

h.saeed@hamiltonchamber.ca | T: 905-522-1151 ext: 230

 

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