Hamilton, ON, MAY 27, 2015: Local business leaders from Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) chambers of commerce and boards of trade met with Ontario cabinet ministers on Monday to discuss key issues impacting the regional economy.

In a wide ranging discussion held at Queen’s Park, business and government leaders touched on three priority areas: solving gridlock and improving transit, planning for growth and infrastructure, and promoting economic growth across the region.

The meeting also served as an opportunity for business and government leaders to discuss the upcoming 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games, and the ways in which the region can capitalize on this major event.

The provincial government has recently restated their commitment to invest $130 billion in new transportation infrastructure, with a large portion of that allocated for the region, with Hamilton recently receiving $1.2 Billion for a Light Rail Transit and GO Station project. This news was well received by the Chamber Network, which has been a strong advocate for necessary infrastructure investments in the GTHA.

The meeting brought together 22 chambers of commerce and boards of trade that make up the GTHA Chamber Caucus with the following provincial cabinet ministers:

• Brad Duguid, the MPP for Scarborough Centre, and the Minister for Economic Development, Employment, and Infrastructure;
• Charles Sousa, the MPP for Mississauga South, and the Minister of Finance;
• Ted McMeekin, the MPP for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and
• Michael Coteau, the MPP for Don Valley East, and the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport and the Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games.

GTHA Chamber Caucus members include:

• Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
• Aurora Chamber of Commerce
• Beaverton District Chamber of Commerce
• Brampton Board of Trade
• Burlington Chamber of Commerce
• Caledon Chamber of Commerce
• Clarington Board of Trade and Office of Economic Development
• Flamborough Chamber of Commerce
• Georgina Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
• Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
• King Chamber of Commerce
• Milton Chamber of Commerce
• Mississauga Board of Trade
• Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
• Oakville Chamber of Commerce
• Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce
• Scugog Chamber of Commerce
• Toronto Region Board of Trade
• Vaughan Chamber of Commerce
• Whitby Chamber of Commerce

“Today was a great opportunity for Ontario’s business leaders from the GTHA to speak collectively with government about the issues affecting the region,” says Allan O’Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “We will be exploring options to deliver similar opportunities for the entire Chamber Network in 2016.”

Established in 1845, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is the definitive “Voice of Hamilton Business”. Representing over 1000 members and 75,000 employees, it champions the interests of free enterprise by effectively engaging business, community, and government leaders in the promotion of the long-term economic prosperity of our region.

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For more information, contact:

Huzaifa Saeed

Policy & Research Analyst, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

T: 905-522-1151 ext: 230, C: 905-220-3030 E: h.saeed@hamiltonchamber.ca

 

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