Blogs ~ June 2014

When Vladimir Putin launched the Russian army into Crimea and lent support to insurgents in eastern Ukraine, he jolted Europe out of the long period of complacency about where it gets its oil and gas.

Europeans began to remember that Russia supplies around one-third of Europe’s oil and gas imports. Having Putin’s hand on the tap that provides the energy to heat their homes and fuel their industry leaves Europe vulnerable to energy blackmail. That’s why allies of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have begun telling me that interest in Canada as an energy supplier is growing.

In this episode of the Voice of Canadian Business, Sarah Anson-Cartwright, our Director of Skills Policy, interviews Sarah Watts-Rynard, Executive Director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. The demand for the skilled trades has put increasing attention on Canada’s apprenticeship systems and the roles of government and employers. Ms. Watts-Rynard was on the recent mission to study the apprenticeship models in Germany and the U.K., led by the Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development. This interview explores the lessons from Germany, including the aspects of the German system that could be adopted in Canada as we strive to close our skills gap.

Yesterday, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport announced that a statutory review of the Canadian Transportation Act (CTA) will be conducted. The Review will be led by the Honourable David Emerson, with the support of five advisers. The recommendations from the study are expected to be submitted to the Minister by late 2015.

The Review requires a comprehensive examination of the operation of the Act and certain other acts pertaining to the economic regulation of transportation. In addition to reassessing a host of public policy issues that impact the transportation sector, the examination will focus on specific issues that impact the Canadian aviation industry.

There are important skills shortages in Canada. Government knows it, business feels it. Turning to skilled employees from outside of Canada has been an important part of the solution for Canadian businesses. An employer’s first job is to succeed in business. Without business success, there are no jobs and wages, no economic growth, no new tax revenue for governments. Canada’s labour markets require foreign workers—for the sake of Canadian businesses and their employees.

Everything in last week’s announcement on the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program suggests the government wants this program to be as restrictive as possible. But, we should remember the program was invented to ensure Canadian businesses had access to the workers they need. This still is the most important priority.

Speaking notes for the Hon. Perrin Beatty as presented at the Canada’s Technology Triangle Annual Meeting.

On June 20, sweeping changes were announced to restrict the use and increase the cost of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. After digesting all the changes – ranging from increased fees to caps on numbers of TFWs per employer- we were left with one over-riding question: has the government fully estimated the effects of these decisions on Canadian businesses and the economy?

We know what the government was trying to stop: the relentless criticism of the program in Parliament. But we do not know where they are taking us now. Major policy decisions seem to have been taken with little regard for their potential impact.

They had a political problem…Now Canadian businesses have a business problem.

On Tuesday the federal government announced it would approve (with conditions) the Northern Gateway project; an ambitious pipeline project to take Alberta oil products to tidewater.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a long time supporter of the Northern Gateway project. Our entire membership has endorsed it and our President has called for its approval in many speeches and editorials.

Our support derives from two factors.

Recent developments in Ukraine and Russia have forced the European Union (EU) to look at diversifying its external energy supplies and upgrading its energy infrastructure. In these times of uncertainty and rapid change, Canada can be a stable ground for Europe. The conversation is changing in Europe and it is important for Canadian businesses to seize the momentum.

Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, will lead a delegation of Canadian businesses to Brussels June 18-19 to discuss what Canada has to offer and how we can deepen the relationship.

Ottawa, June 18 – Recent developments in Ukraine and Russia have forced the European Union (EU) to look at diversifying its external energy supplies and upgrading its energy infrastructure. In these times of uncertainty and rapid change, Canada can be a stable ground for Europe. The conversation is changing in Europe and it is important for Canadian businesses to seize the momentum.

Speaking notes for the Hon. Perrin Beatty as presented at the Canadian Commercial Insurance Summit.