Chamber Blog ~ February 2019

From drones to automated vehicles, technology is not just transforming our personal lives, but Canada’s resource sector as well. In the mining sector alone,autonomous vehicles, aerial data from drones and the use of IOT sensors have the ability to improve day-to-day operations and overall safety. These technologies alone could help to augment our world-class environmental practices and draw foreign investment capital into the sector, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian mining.

That being said, achieving digitization of the mining sector in Canada is not without its challenges, Canada must foster a regulatory environment that can support the integration of new technology or else we are hindering resource companies from taking full advantage of all that is available. Successfully integrating high technology will require significant foresight into the possible advantages and challenges of automated mining sites, especially with many of our mining operations being in remote communities with limited infrastructure and harsh environments.

Remember the days where important working files were saved on a floppy disc, not the cloud? Or bills were paid via mail, not just instantly with the touch of a button on your smartphone? Lots has changed in the last few decades, but unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Canadian taxation. The last time Canada undertook a comprehensive review of its tax system, humankind had yet to set foot on the moon.

It has been five decades of the same old and, sure, it is no a secret that nobody likes the tax man, but that does not mean he should be ignored. Canada has a choice, either keep pace with the rapid rate of change or be left behind.

Did you know that half a million Canadians miss work each week due to a mental health related illness? Workplace mental health is a universal concern, which is why we partnered with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to launch 338 Conversations.

338 Conversations is a call to action for all 338 members of Parliament to join forces with local chambers of commerce to promote workplace mental health and encourage the business community to take the steps needed to ensure the mental well-being of their workers.

Businesses have the ability to help shape a healthier and more competitive Canada, but in order to move forward, we must acknowledge that mental health plays an important role in our ability to achieve economic success. This is one of many reasons why we are in the process of adopting the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, and we encourage you to do the same!