News Releases ~ February 2018

Ottawa, February 27, 2018 – The 2018 Budget presents many interesting measures, but does not address the fundamental issues facing Canada’s economy, says the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

“Canadian business asked the government to focus on fundamentals like the growing competitiveness gap, the need to attract more private sector investment and presenting a realistic plan to balance the government’s books. Although the budget sets out many positive measures, including support for women entrepreneurs, a clearer path to Indigenous self-determination and improved skills development, it doesn’t address the most basic issues facing our economy,” said the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Ottawa, February 22, 2018 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement today in advance of next week’s federal budget:

“Canadian competitiveness is eroding across the board and our membership—which includes thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses across the country—is deeply concerned.

“We regularly hear from businesses that the rising cost of running a business in Canada and the uncertainty caused by potential changes to the tax system are having a negative impact on their ability to grow, to create jobs and to compete for investment and customers at home and abroad. The Canadian Chamber looks forward to next week’s federal budget to see what concrete steps the government will take to address these concerns.

Ottawa, February 9, 2018 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement in response to the news today from Statistics Canada that Canada lost 88,000 jobs in January, the steepest single-month job loss since 2009:

“While it would be a mistake to assume that one month’s figures necessarily indicate a trend, January’s dramatic decline in jobs should remind Canada’s governments that investment and jobs are at risk.

Ottawa, February 8, 2018 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement today in response to the federal government’s proposed changes to the Environmental Assessment process:

“The Canadian Chamber is fully supportive of the federal government’s commitment to protecting the environment, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and ensuring good projects go ahead.

Ottawa, February 08, 2018 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board of Investissement Québec and Chair of the Quebec Economic and Innovation Council, and Dawn Farrell, President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation and Director of the Business Council of Canada, will co-Chair the B7 Business Summit Host Committee. The Canadian Chamber will host this year’s B7 Business Summit in Quebec City, April 5-6, 2018.

Ottawa, February 7, 2018 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement today in response to news that the Government of Alberta has halted the import of British Columbia wines in the province:

“The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is deeply concerned about the negative impact an interprovincial trade war would have on the economies of Alberta, British Columbia and, ultimately, Canada. The announced escalation of retaliatory trade measures will leave businesses of all sizes, their owners and their employees caught in the crossfire.

Ottawa, February 5, 2018 – A strong and prosperous Canada depends on business growth, but businesses are grappling with daunting challenges at home and abroad. To help them compete and grow, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released 10 Ways to Build a Canada that Wins today. 10 Ways provides businesses, decision-makers and government with a series of clear priorities and objectives that, if addressed, will give Canada a competitive edge, improve productivity and grow our economy.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, along with the Alberta and BC Chambers of Commerce, issued the following joint statement today in response to the recent announcement by the B.C. government that it will impose restrictions on shipments of diluted bitumen from Alberta:

“Canada’s oil and gas companies already face significant challenges in getting their product to global energy markets. As a result, education, healthcare, and every other public social service which improve Canadians’ quality of life gets less funding because Canada leaves millions of dollars on the table every day.