A Snapshot of October: Highlights and Happenings at the Chamber

To say a proper farewell to October, we’ve put together a snapshot of our recent initiatives and events that showcase our dedication to addressing the pressing issues shaping Canada’s economy.

Here’s a quick tour of our activities, organized by topic, to give you a glimpse of what we’ve been up to!

Small Business Month Spotlight

In honour of Small Business Month, we turned the spotlight on initiatives that nurture small business growth and resilience. Our Scaling Success Event on October 23 brought together entrepreneurs and industry leaders who exchanged innovative strategies for overcoming common hurdles. To complement this, we launched the new report, Scaling Success: Enabling Small Business to Grow, packed with insights for small businesses navigating today’s challenges. Our Policy Matters blog also examined how government policies on taxes, trade, and labour can impact small businesses in Canada.

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Strengthening Canada-U.S. Relations

With the U.S. election approaching, enhancing Canada-U.S. relations remains a top priority. This month, our Business Data Lab published Partners in Prosperity: How the Canada-U.S. Trade Relationship Goes Beyond Buying and Selling, offering important insights into the trade landscape and the importance of our strong economic partnership.

We also rolled out a new blog to prep you for the election, detailing the implications of evolving trade dynamics and the need for proactive policies benefiting both nations.

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Emphasizing Natural Resources

The western leg of our Natural Resources Tour took place from October 7–10, which aimed to showcase the critical role of the natural resources sector in Canada’s economy. This tour brought together industry leaders to discuss sustainable practices and future opportunities. Plus, we shared an op-ed in the Calgary Herald advocating for continued investment in natural resources as a key driver of Canada’s economic success.

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Advancing Healthcare

We took significant steps in advancing healthcare by hosting our Health Data Event on October 1, which gathered key stakeholders to explore the future of health data management and its innovative possibilities. We also contributed to the discussions at the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology about Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, emphasizing the importance of sustainable healthcare policies.

And we released statements urging a thorough evaluation of the potential impacts of the Pharmacare Bill on businesses and the overall economy.

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Celebrating Inclusive Growth

October was a month of celebration for inclusivity! Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Inclusive Growth Awards in Halifax honoured organizations making remarkable contributions to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also kicked off our 2024 Inclusive Growth Dialogues in Nanaimo and Charlottetown, sparking essential conversations around advancing inclusive economic growth across Canada.

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Other Policy Priorities…

New Federal Immigration Targets: In response to the federal government’s recent announcement on revised immigration targets for 2025-2027, we released a statement how disappointing the new targets are for Canadians and for businesses across the country that, in recent months, have had to deal with abrupt and constant changes to immigration policy.

Labour Disruptions: We sent a joint letter to the Minister of Labour and Senior Steven McKinnon expressing deep concern regarding the indefinite strike by CUPE 375 at the Port of Montreal. As a critical trade gateway, the Port has experienced ongoing delays and operational disruptions that impact businesses nationwide. We are urging for immediate improvements to ensure smoother, more efficient trade flows that support Canada’s economic resilience and competitiveness.

As we say hello to November, we remain dedicated to engaging with our members and stakeholders to tackle challenges and seize opportunities that will shape Canada’s future.