Blogs ~ October 2013

Speaking notes for the Hon. Perrin Beatty as presented at the Western University.

Today, we issued a report entitled The March of the Robots.

Our report examines how the use of robots by business is reshaping the global economy, industry and the workplace.

Access the report.

This is the latest instalment in the Economic Policy Series.

Today we are holding our International Trade Day event where we will discuss what it means to be an energy nation in the 21st century under the theme Responsible Canadian Energy in Global Markets. Balancing the essential contribution oil and gas makes to our standard of living with environmental and social responsibility is not easy. Within the next two years, decisions on the future of Keystone XL, oil transportation by rail, East-West pipelines and improving our environmental performance while increasing our economic growth will have to be made. The choices we make will shape our economy for years to come.

We applaud the government’s announcement that after four years of negotiation, the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) has been signed. This is the most important trade deal signed by Canada. It surpasses NAFTA in scope.

Ottawa, October 18, 2013 — The Canadian Chamber of Commerce applauds the government’s announcement that after four years of negotiation the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) has been signed

Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the announcement: “This is the most important trade deal signed by Canada. It surpasses NAFTA in scope.” He added: “International trade is a major engine for economic growth. And with the global economy continuing to struggle, such initiatives are more important than ever.”

The Speech from the Throne recognized the role businesses play in Canada’s economic prosperity and the need to address many of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness identified by our members.

Ottawa, October 16, 2013 — The Canadian Chamber of Commerce applauds the government’s announcement that after four years of negotiation the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) is about to be signed.

Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the announcement: “By tearing down trade barriers and encouraging regulatory coordination, this deal with the world’s largest economy will bring more opportunities for exporters and lower prices for consumers, as well as encourage new investments in Canada.” He added: “As we learned with NAFTA and the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement before it, international trade is a major engine for economic growth. And with the global economy continuing to struggle, such initiatives are more important than ever.”

We applaud the government’s announcement that after four years of negotiation, the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA), is about to be signed.

By tearing down trade barriers and encouraging regulatory coordination, this deal with the world’s largest economy will bring more opportunities for exporters and lower prices for consumers, as well as encourage new investments in Canada. As we learned with NAFTA and the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement before it, international trade is a major engine for economic growth. And with the global economy continuing to struggle, such initiatives are more important than ever.

Skills mismatches continue to challenge employers across the Canadian economy. When it comes to closing the skills gap, a comprehensive response involves government, the educational system and employers, at a minimum. Today, we issued a report, Upskilling the Workforce: Employer-sponsored Training and Resolving the Skills Gap, that focuses on the role of employers in training existing talent.

Employers are often criticized for not investing enough in the training and skills development of their employees. Educational institutions are expected to do a better job at preparing individuals to enter the workforce, with more of the skills employers are seeking. We believe employers may sponsor more formal training of their employees either as a result of their own proactive workforce plans or as a result of a financial incentive to be made available.

Paris, October 7 2013 –Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, has been elected President of the B20 Coalition for a period of 2 years. Launched in 2012, the B20 Coalition is a group comprised of the most important voluntary national business organizations from G20 countries. Its main objective is to ensure business speaks with a common voice on current global economic issues.

“The objective of the B20 Coalition is to advocate policies at regional and international levels that contribute to global growth and job creation,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian