The December 2015 regulatory update is presented here to our members in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC). Regulatory Update summarizes what employers need to know about the latest changes to the regulatory environment for businesses to stay in compliance.

Ministry of Energy launches energy-savings program for small business

This initiative is intended to support energy-saving practices among small businesses and to help them save money.

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US Interest Rates about to rise: What does it mean for Canada?

After seven long years with interest rates at zero, the U.S. Federal Reserve will almost certainly raise rates by 0.25% at its next meeting on December 15.

It has been warning about a coming rate hike since 2013. In the last Fed statement, it changed the wording it has used for years about “In determining how long to maintain this target range…” to “In determining whether to raise the target range at the next meeting…” In the obscure language of Fedspeak, this is like waving your arms and hollering.

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Canadians have spoken decisively and given the Liberals a majority (in the recently concluded Federal Election) that no one thought possible. (Why do we even read polls anymore? Maybe we’d be better off scanning the stars.)

Here’s why the pollsters got it wrong. The number of people who voted Liberal shot up a staggering 149%, from 2.8 million in 2011 to 6.9 million this past Election Day.

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Rapid Policy Update brought to you by Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

On Monday, October 5th, the Government of Canada announced the conclusion of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Here is what you need to know:

What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a free trade agreement among Canada and 11 other nations located around the Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.

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