ADVOCACY /
Wins for Business
Business representation that delivers real impact.
Championing business interests at the highest level of government is our most important work.
Together, we’ve achieved great things for Canadian businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions.
2024 Wins for Business
Cyber Security
- 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.
- 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.
Taxes and Regulatory
- 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.
- The Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2024 in April, which included measures directly linked to Canadian Chamber advocacy:
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- $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.
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- $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.
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- $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.
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- 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.
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Investment
- 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.
Workforce Strategies
- Advocacy in favour of connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with skilled newcomers 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: $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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 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.
Infrastructure and Transportation
- 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.
Internal and International Trade
- 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.
- The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was relaunched, with cross-sectoral Canadian Chamber policy themes reflected in government communications throughout the year.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Life Sciences
- 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.
- 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.
