Wins for Canadian Business

We were happy to see a number of policy wins in 2024 that happened either as a direct result of our advocacy or as recent adoptions of our policy recommendations from pre-budget submissions and resolutions passed at previous AGMs. Some highlights:

• In January, the Prime Minister announced a renewed “Team Canada” approach to bilateral engagement ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. This followed an open letter to the Prime Minister from the Canadian Chamber arguing that the government needed a coordinated outreach campaign across all levels of the public and private sectors. Since its launch, the Canadian Chamber has worked closely with all stakeholders on a variety of initiatives geared towards improving bilateral trade relations, including multiple trade missions to the U.S.
• Following testimony before the House Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in February, the Committee adopted important changes to Bill C-26, including the deletion of clause 10, thereby restoring due diligence defence, and the removal of the requirement for immediate reporting of cybersecurity incidents, thereby harmonizing with existing obligations in other jurisdictions, such as the U.S.
• In March, direct advocacy resulted in the announcement of a two-year extension for the 2% cap on the annual alcohol excise duty inflation adjustment, as well as a reduction for craft brewers.
• Advocacy in favour of connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with skilled newcomers also resulted in the announcement of new immigration pilots for rural and Francophone minority communities, as well as a reiteration of the government’s efforts to create a permanent rural immigration program.
• The Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2024 in April, which included measures directly linked to Canadian Chamber advocacy:

• • $600 million over four years, and $150 million per year ongoing, for future enhancements to the Scientific Research & Experimental Development tax credit. The Canadian Chamber had called for additional program funding to support the success of future reforms.
  • $6 billion for a Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund stipulating a three-year freeze on increasing development charges, top-ups for the Housing Accelerator Fund and Apartment Construction Loan Program, temporary accelerated capital cost allowance at a rate of 10% — all related to priorities raised by the Housing and Development Strategy Council.
  • $150 million to address shortages in skilled trades through foreign credential recognition in the construction sector, reduced internal barriers for skilled workers, and domestic development — commitments aligned with Canadian Chamber recommendations on unlocking labour mobility and creating more housing supply.
  • $2.5 billion in carbon price revenue refunded to approximately 600,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises across Canada through the Carbon Rebate for Small Business, following three years of calling for the government to return a portion of federal fuel charge proceeds directly to eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations.
  • In response to proposed increases to capital gains, the Canadian Chamber established a strong stance on the need for a full review of the tax code and tax policy. This position that was echoed by the Official Opposition, who voted against Bill C-69.

• In response to several recommendations from the Canadian Chamber on strengthening internal trade, Statistics Canada and the Privy Council Office launched the Canadian Internal Trade Data and Information Hub to provide more open, transparent, and accessible pan-Canadian data.
• The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was relaunched, with cross-sectoral Canadian Chamber policy themes reflected in government communications throughout the year.
• The establishment of a new Employment Insurance Board of Appeal was announced in May, featuring a return to the tripartite hearing model that had been among the significant reforms advocated for by the Canadian Chamber.
• In June, the deadline was extended for the first reporting period imposed by Bill S-211, which encouraged compliance with the law and an education-based approach — a longstanding Canadian Chamber recommendation.
• The government announced a series of measures in August addressing China’s unfair trade practices to create a level playing field for Canada’s EV industry and steel and aluminum producers. These measures, including a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made EVs, were recommendations made in the Canadian Chamber’s submission to the government’s consultation on potential policy responses to unfair Chinese trade practices in electric vehicles.
• In September, Ministers announced the creation of Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC), a permanent agency tasked with ensuring that Canada has the industrial capabilities to protect Canadians against future health threats — a central Life Sciences Council recommendation.
• Also in September, the government appointed a Senior Official for Cyber Security — a role and responsibility the Canadian Chamber had been advocating for over two years in an effort to ensure policy coherence, coordination of cybersecurity activities and initiatives, as well as alignment of resources across government, all while increasing and improving two-way information sharing.
• Meanwhile, at the Canada Free Trade Agreement Committee on Internal Trade, federal and provincial governments agreed to a pilot project seeking to identify and eliminate internal trade barriers for trucking — a Canadian Chamber policy priority for many years.
• In October, the government provided an update on the development of sustainable investment guidelines, reflective of the Canadian Chamber’s calls for a Made-in-Canada sustainable finance framework to attract investment.
• The Canadian Prime Minister and the President of Indonesia issued a joint statement in November welcoming the substantive conclusion of negotiations for a Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the objective of bringing it into force as soon as possible. The Canadian Chamber advocated for many of the key negotiated outcomes, including a robust electronic commerce chapter, with commitments to cross-border data flows and data localization.
• The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship also announced that eligible students would be able to work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their classes are in session, an increase that had been called for by the Canadian Chamber.
• Throughout the year, the government announced additional investments to support youth employment and create more work-integrated learning opportunities, job placements, and other employment supports. These measures support businesses struggling with labour challenges, while aligning with recommendations based on Canadian Chamber policy resolutions.
• Ongoing advocacy throughout the year led to government intervention or resolution of: labour disputes at CN and CPKC that paralyzed the Canadian rail network; shutdowns at the ports in Montreal and British Columbia; the strike at Vancouver grain terminals; and the threat of job action with Canada’s border agents as well as with Air Canada pilots.
• Extensive Canadian Chamber advocacy opposing single-payer, universal pharmacare that would jeopardize drug coverage for Canadians resulted in a range of Senators and opposition Members of Parliament publicly voicing their objection to the government’s pharmacare plan.

We were happy to see a number of policy wins in 2023 that happened either as a direct result of our advocacy or as recent adoptions of our policy recommendations from pre-budget submissions and resolutions passed at previous AGMs. Some highlights:

• Fall Economic Statement included two major items we have advocated for: a commitment to labour mobility and credential recognition (a long-standing policy resolution from the Canadian Chamber Network) and commitments to expedite the roll-out of Investment Tax Credits from Budget 2023 (which we advocated for in October in response to member concerns).
• The November release of Canada’s Immigration System Report and Immigration Levels Plan included a number of our policy asks, including the adoption of digital tools for assessments, the targeting of homebuilders and the inclusion of considerations for housing and healthcare in the immigration levels plan. Notably, with 60% of permanent residency statuses granted to economic class migrants, there is better alignment with labour market dynamics and regional as well as sector-specific needs, as long advocated for by the Canadian Chamber.
• Ongoing advocacy and media presence on the labour disruption in the St. Lawrence Seaway resulted in action from the federal government and quick resolution to the strike. We have also been particularly vocal on newly proposed “anti-replacement worker” legislation.
• Canadian Chamber CEO Perrin Beatty met with High-Frequency Rail CEO Martin Imbleau in Ottawa to discuss next steps for the project, in line with our 2021 policy resolutions.
• In September, the Prime Minister announced that MP Jennifer O’Connell (Pickering-Uxbridge) will take on the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs (Cybersecurity). This is the first time there has been explicit reference to cybersecurity in the role and the addition is directly tied to our positions.
• Following broad advocacy, including over 250 members of the Canadian Chamber Network and other partners, the government announced a further year’s extension to the CEBA loan repayment deadline, a further quarter’s extension to qualifying for the forgivable component, and a new three-year sub-prime loan (5%) for those unable to refinance or pay off their loans now.
• Following a decade of advocacy and multiple resolutions from the Canadian Chamber Network, the Temporary Foreign Workers Program announced a three-year Recognized Employer Pilot to reduce administrative red tape for repeat employers who meet the highest standards of worker protections.
• We advocated for government intervention in the West Coast ports strike and expanded government powers. Following resolution, the Minister of Labour and Seniors announced a review of the Canada Labour Code to examine how the government can expand its toolbox to prevent labour disruptions in the future.
• Following our participation at the Council of the Federation’s summer meeting, premiers endorsed the principles set out in the Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan proposed by a coalition of business organizations.
• The government announced an investment of up to $30 million to build a new preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for United States-bound travellers. The new facility will build capacity for Toronto’s growing business and leisure passenger volumes and addresses a 2022 policy resolution.
• Budget 2023 included the announcement of a National Supply Chain Strategy (a longstanding Canadian Chamber priority for investment and trade corridor infrastructure), and a one-year pause on the significant increase planned for the alcohol escalator tax, which we targeted in government advocacy as well as on social media and in earned media.
• In May, a new Assistant Deputy Minister role was announced at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) responsible for life sciences — a top Life Sciences Council recommendation.
• Cyber. Right. Now.’s priority of a Cabinet position to be designated as the government’s lead on cybersecurity was included as the top recommendation of the joint industry-government Canadian Forum for Digital Infrastructure Resilience report released by ISED.
• In May, a delay was announced for the implementation of S-211’s public reporting regime on forced labour within supply chains (the Canadian Chamber raised concerns regarding a lack of clarity on how companies can demonstrate compliance).
• In May, Canada announced a new Verified Traveller Program to offer a more efficient screening process, the focus of Canadian Chamber submissions, testimony at committee and an op-ed in The Sun.
• In March, we secured amendments to regulations on the prohibition of property purchases by non-Canadians following discussions with the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities’ office. Specifically, the changes allow more homebuilders to participate in the Canadian market while still preserving the spirit of the regulations. Additionally, the Minister’s staff underscored having not heard of these constraints prior to discussions with us.
• Treasury Board announced a return to government offices under the “common hybrid work model” effective Q1 2023.
• Parliament’s Finance Committee published its formal recommendations for the upcoming Budget, which included a number of the Cyber. Right. Now. Council’s key asks, including the establishment of a Cabinet-level lead on cybersecurity and supporting a pipeline of cyber commercialization.
• A letter sent to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee was publicly acknowledged and led to the end of a filibuster over whether the committee would expose our members’ confidential COVID-19 vaccine supply agreements with the government, breaking their contractual confidentiality and establishing a dangerous precedent for all businesses who have dealings with government.

Budget 2022

We were happy to see a number of policy wins for business in the Budget aligned with our pre-budget submission and/or policy resolutions passed at previous AGMs. Some highlights:

• Funding of $875.2 million over five years, plus an ongoing $238.2 million per year to respond to cybersecurity threats. This goes towards the Communications Security Establishment as well as other departments and crown corporations.
• $1.5 billion over seven years for infrastructure investments to support critical mineral supply chains, plus a further $1.5 billion to support manufacturing, processing and recycling applications.
• Additional $450 million over five years for the National Trade Corridor Fund, with a rebranding of the fund to focus on supply chains.
• Launch a cannabis strategy table led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to identify ways to grow the sector.
• An investment tax credit of up to 30% for net-zero technologies, battery storage solutions and clean hydrogen.
• Amendments to the Employment Insurance Act to provide more support for worker re-training, including a commitment to modernizing Labour Market Transfer Agreements.
• Funding of $29.3 million over three years for a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Trusted Employer Model that reduces red tape for regular users of the program. More details to be announced in 2023.
• A consultation will launch on Bill C-208 passed by the last Parliament to reduce loopholes in the execution of intergenerational business transfers.

Explore a more detailed list of Budget 2022 wins for business here.

Budget 2021

The Budget delivered on a number of our specific policy proposals outlined in our Roadmap to Recovery, pre-budget submission and policy resolutions. Some highlights:

• Extension of business supports like CEWS and CERS for the hardest-hit sectors and small businesses.
• Creation of the Canada Recovery Hiring Program to help the hardest hit businesses hire staff when they are ready for recovery.
• Reskilling and upskilling to get Canadians back to work, as well as producing better data on labour market demand in individual communities and building talent pipelines based on employer needs.
• National leadership on reducing interprovincial trade barriers by collecting data, identifying barriers, and allocating federal transfers to provinces and territories to address these issues.
• Recapitalization of the National Trade Corridors fund to support trade-enabling infrastructure
• Support for SME technology adoption through capital expenditures and financing to improve Canadian productivity.

Explore a more detailed list of our Budget 2021 policy wins.