Blogs ~ December 2013

For the Canadian Chamber, 2013 was another successful year. We worked hard on your behalf advocating for measures to restore Canada’s competitiveness to ensure businesses, like yours, can prosper, compete and succeed. We are proud of our achievements in 2013 and have highlighted them for you in our Annual Report, which I invite you to read.

The NEB decision, which is based on the best-available evidence, is a very positive development. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce strongly believes that projects to get Canadian resources to global markets in a responsible fashion, including the Northern Gateway initiative, are in Canada’s national interest. We are one of the world’s few oil-producing countries able to increase production to match growing global demand, while offering political stability and a demonstrated commitment to improving environmental standards. The revenues generated by global energy sales can help Canada finance clean energy initiatives and develop new technologies to fuel the global economy.

Today, the Canadian and American governments released the second annual report to leaders on the progress of the Beyond the Border initiative. Since the launch of the initial action plans on February 4, 2011, businesses have be following efforts to improve the flow of legitimate goods and people across the Canada-U.S. border.

Today, we issued a report entitled The Foundations of a Competitive Canada: The Need for Strategic Infrastructure Investment. Our report examines the poor state of Canada’s public infrastructure and makes recommendations for a long-term investment strategy to bring Canada’s infrastructure back to the level needed to support prosperity.

Modern and efficient infrastructure is a core component of a competitive economy. Public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, highways, water systems and the electrical grid provide services critical to economic competitiveness, sustainability and quality of life. Without sufficient investment and upkeep of public infrastructure stock, countries rapidly fall behind.

Ottawa, December 18, 2013 — One of the most critical challenges facing Canada is invisible. It’s the steady deterioration of the public infrastructure – roads, water mains, sewers, bridges – that allow people to do business and live well. Confronting the major costs facing governments at all levels will test the foresight and cooperation of political leaders and officials.

“Nobody cuts a ribbon when a new sewer pipe is installed. It’s just not a dramatic moment,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “But, thousands of Canadians idling in their cars because of traffic congestion, or bridge delays, can tell us what investments in infrastructure can mean in quality of life and productivity.”

In a report released today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce argues that Canada needs a long-term, predictable, flexible and strategic infrastructure investment strategy. This strategy must include targeted investments in Canada’s major economic hubs, gateways and public transit systems.

Today, we issued a report entitled Opportunity Found: Improving the Participation of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada’s Workforce. Our report highlights productive initiatives to improve the workforce participation of Aboriginal peoples and the resulting competitiveness of employers. It also offers recommendations to the federal government and Canada’s businesses on measures both can take to provide Aboriginal peoples and communities with the tools to make these success stories the norm.

Ottawa, December 17, 2013 — In a report issued today the Canadian Chamber of Commerce sheds light on a number of very successful initiatives currently underway to improve the participation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada’s workforce.

“Canadian businesses recognize that Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are a critical part of our future competitiveness,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “We want the success stories presented today to become the norm- not the exception anymore,” added Beatty.

We agree with Finance Minister James Flaherty's assessment that this is not the time to enhance the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) given the cost to employers, employees and the resulting impact on the economy. 

Ottawa, December 12, 2013 — In its 2014-2015 Economic Outlook, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce observes that although Canada continues to recover from the recession better than other countries, the pace of growth has been slower than hoped. Consumer spending and housing activity are proving more resilient than expected, while the slow pace of global growth and ongoing competitiveness challenges have reduced demand for our exports and weighed on manufacturing production. Businesses also remain cautious when it comes to hiring and investing.

Today, we issued our Economic Outlook for 2014-15.

In our Economic Outlook, we observe that, although Canada continues to recover from the recession better than other countries, the pace of growth has been slower than hoped. Consumer spending and housing activity are proving more resilient than expected, while the slow pace of global growth and ongoing competitiveness challenges have reduced demand for our exports and weighed on manufacturing production. Businesses also remain cautious when it comes to hiring and investing.