Blogs ~ November 2015

We, along with our partner Grant Thornton LLP, are pleased to announce that Global Relay was presented with the Private Business Growth Award at a gala last night in Toronto. The evening included the celebration of 10 Canadian private businesses that were selected for their commitment to sustainable, holistic growth strategies.

Please be aware that scammers are impersonating the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in order to obtain private company information.

We have received reports of a telephone scam in which the caller asks if your company is moving or has found new rental space. If you receive such a call, do not disclose any information to the caller.

We do not track company movements. We might sometimes call to update or verify an address, but we do not and would not ask companies if they are planning to move.

If you are unsure of whether a call is legitimate, please contact our office to verify. We can be reached at info@chamber.ca or at 613.238.4000 (221).

In December, the UN climate change conference in Paris (COP21) will convene representatives from almost 200 nations in an attempt to negotiate a new global agreement on climate change that focuses on reducing green house gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels.

Most countries, including Canada, have publicly submitted their climate change action plans in advance of COP21. Canada’s is challenging enough—a 30% decline in emissions (from 2005 levels) by 2030.

Clark Grue, President and CEO of Calgary-based Rainmaker Global Business Development, was one of our members who accompanied our President & CEO, Perrin Beatty, to the B20/G20 Summit earlier this week in Antalya, Turkey. Clark put his thoughts on the summit—which was framed by the shock of and (for some delegates) personal tragedy of the Paris attacks—in writing. He has given us permission to share his perspectives...

Manila, Philippines, Nov. 18, 2015 - Canada must seize the opportunity represented by the rapid growth of the Asian economy, and the next step is the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce told the Canadian government today.

“Canada is losing market share in the fastest-growing region of the world. Turning this situation around requires an ambitious trade strategy that plays to our advantages in areas like energy, information and biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and agri-food. The TPP covers all of these areas, and what we need to now is to put it in place,” said Canadian Chamber President and CEO Perrin Beatty.

Every other week, we release 5 Minutes for Business, a publication written by Hendrik Brakel, our Senior Director of Economic, Financial and Tax Policy. In these publications, Hendrik briefly describes current issues that affect the Canadian economy and provides insight on what it will mean for Canadians today and the future. In this week’s edition, he looks at the tough economic decisions the new federal government will have to make and the impact those choices could have on our economy.

While in Antalya, Turkey at the B20 Summit, I had the opportunity to meet individually with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Finance Bill Morneau to discuss the priorities of Canadian business.

The meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau was very positive. The fact that the Chamber had such an early opportunity to meet with him shows how important he considers the priorities of business to be.

Antalya, Turkey, Nov. 16, 2015—While in Antalya, Turkey at the B20 Summit, the President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Hon. Perrin Beatty, met privately with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Finance Bill Morneau to discuss the priorities of Canadian business. “Canada needs to have a laser-like focus on economic prosperity. Our prosperity is linked to our capacity to trade on international markets,” pointed out Mr. Beatty.

Now that the elections have passed, our new government is focusing on international relations. In fact, Prime Minister Trudeau will attend the G20 and APEC meetings later this month. There’s no shortage of things to do at home, but if Mr. Trudeau wants Canada to take a more active role abroad, it’s hard to think of a better time to get started. But, he won’t be alone.

I’ll be in Berlin, Germany to advocate for the Canada-Europe Trade Agreement (CETA), in Antalya, Turkey for the G20 and in Manila, Philippines for the APEC CEO Summit. While abroad, I’ll make sure the voice of Canadian business is heard. Our members have a number of priorities they have developed in cooperation with their counterparts around the world, and I’ll ensure these priorities are part of the discussion.

The decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline project is deeply disappointing. Keystone XL would provide a safe and reliable way to ship Albertan bitumen to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast. The project would generate thousands of jobs in Canada and the U.S. during construction and operation.