Today, Canadians are looking at businesses as the ones who can act in their best interests. They want us — business leaders — to exercise our agency and lead the conversation on how our communities, our regions and our country can thrive for generations to come.
At the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, this is who we are. We believe that commerce is about more than transactions: it’s about the courage and vision to open your doors to your neighbours, and to build a better life for all.
Candace Laing, President & CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Together with our members, we elevated our advocacy efforts while also enhancing and expanding our offerings to help Canadian businesses gain more of what they need to succeed.
The Canadian Chamber Network — made up of over 400 local chambers and boards of trade — gives us a line of sight into every province, territory, major city and economic region, providing a unique ability to bridge the gap between national issues and local communities.
Thank you to the Canadian Chamber Network for your tireless work advocating on behalf of businesses and communities across Canada.
New in 2024: The Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum
The Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum allows us to work with all levels of the Network to identify key issues and opportunities to advance the future of business success.
The role that business plays in our society is growing, and that makes the Canadian Chamber Network all the more important to Canadian prosperity. We know that Canadians trust businesses to help find solutions to our greatest challenges at the community level, to grow the economy, and make life better for everyone.
Penny Wise, VP, Global Public Affairs at 3M, and Chair of the Canadian Chamber Board of Directors for 2024–2025
Championing Business Interests at the Highest Levels of Government Is Our Most Important Work
Between February and December 2024, the Policy team testified before…
Our 2024 Policy Wins: Advancing Business Success Through Advocacy
This year, we celebrated significant policy wins for businesses achieved through our proactive advocacy and the adoption of our policy recommendations from pre-budget submissions and past AGM resolutions.
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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.
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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.
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The Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2024 in April, which included measures directly linked to Canadian Chamber advocacy, including: enhancements to the Scientific Research & Experimental Development tax credit; funding for various initiatives aimed at creating more housing supply; programs to address labour shortages in skilled trades; carbon price revenue reimbursement for SMEs; and more.
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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 submissionto the government’s consultation on potential policy responses to unfair Chinese trade practices in electric vehicles.
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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.
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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.
Guided by the emerging needs of Canada’s economy and business community,
we added three new councils to our roster in 2024 and renewed eight.
By participating in our councils and committees, our members influence the policies, regulations and decisions that build a Canada of thriving business opportunity while also gaining regular opportunities to engage with their industry peers on shared issues, challenges and solutions.
Beyond National Impact: Thinking, Acting, and Looking Globally
2024 was the inaugural year for the Gateway to the World (GTW) program, created to position us as the indispensable organization for Canadian companies of all sizes wanting to engage in international policy or global trade and investment.
As part of our U.S. Engagement plan, the GTW team led four business missions to the United States in 2024. Focused on key areas where there are significant opportunities for growth and synergy between the Canada and U.S. economies, the missions provided Canadian businesses opportunities to increase ties with U.S. counterparts and policymakers.
We were proud to collaborate with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Wilson Centre, the Payne Institute for Public Policy, the Brookings Institution, Jordan Source, the Colorado School of Mines, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Italy and the Canadian Chamber Brazil-Canada, in addition to many Canadian embassies and consulates abroad.
The GSA Council provides a secure and collaborative information exchange forum between Canadian private sector organizations engaged in international trade and federal entities that have a mandate related to national security and/or foreign policy.
In addition to being a staying force in national media, the Canadian Chamber took the voice of Canadian business to an international audience with coverage in The Economist, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The New York Times and BBC News Online.
Helping Our Members Go Global
We are the national guaranteeing organization for ATA Carnet. Accepted in over 80 countries, a Carnet permits the duty-free and tax-free importation of goods into foreign countries during its one-year validation period, simplifies customs procedures, reduces business costs, and saves time and paperwork.
We certify a variety of trade documentation for Canadian exporters; the most common being Certificates of Origin (COs). We also offer origin verification for shipments leveraging free-trade agreements.
In 2024, we marked the two-year anniversary of our Business Data Lab and celebrated its three-year funding extension in the Federal Budget. This extension highlights the critical role the Business Data Lab plays in driving Canadian economic conversations.
Telling the Small Business Story
This year, we expanded our insights and understanding of small businesses in Canada, releasing two impactful reports:
Over
1000
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attendees from across Canada joined us for the accompanying virtual events!
Shaping the Economic Conversation
We demonstrated our commitment to delivering critical economic analysis and insights by delivering two significant reports that were featured in major Canadian media:
Since publication, Partners in Prosperity (which breaks down the complex economic relationship between Canada and the U.S., including the impact of American tariffs on Canada’s productivity and GDP) has been regularly cited by Canadian and international media. In late November, we collaborated once again with report author Trevor Tombe on an updated analysis following Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on all U.S. imports.
More Research, More Commentaries and More Exciting Tool Updates… And We Got a New Look!
Our events are an opportunity for members to connect with fellow business leaders, learn from industry experts, and come together as a network to tackle challenges and develop solutions that will result in the collective success of the Canadian business community.
Our 2024 AGM & Convention in Halifax was packed with insightful discussions.
The policy resolution process at our AGM, which involves the Canadian Chamber Network voting on the key priorities that will shape our advocacy work for the upcoming year, is the foremost way the Network brings real issues to a national level and connects their communities with federal policymakers. This year’s themes included: finance and taxation; the future of work, transportation and infrastructure; the digital economy; health innovation; and manufacturing and value chains, among others.
In August, and again at the AGM in October, we gathered to say thank you to Perrin Beatty for 17 outstanding years as the Canadian Chamber’s longest serving President, and to wish him well on the next exciting chapter of his career.
We also had the absolute pleasure of recognizing 17 individuals, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, businesses, chambers of commerce, and boards of trade across our Canadian Business Leaders Awards, Inclusive Growth Awards and International Business Leaders Award.
We’ll continue advocating for greater collaboration with the U.S. and Mexico to strengthen the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and enhance North American economic security ahead of the 2026 CUSMA review.
In May, the Canadian Chamber will play host to the Business 7 Summit, marking a pivotal moment for Canadian business leadership on the global stage.
And in November, we’ll celebrate 100 years of serving Canada’s business community.
While some things are bound to change in the next era of the Canadian Chamber, others never will — like our dedication to you and our mission to drive change, to partner broadly and to be the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success.
You are the reason we do what we do. Thank you for your continued trust, engagement and collaboration this past year.
We remain committed to working with you and for you, amplifying your voices on the national stage even more in 2025.
To Our Sponsors and Partners
We could not deliver the programming we do each year without the generous support of our partners and sponsors. Thank you for helping us provide our members with opportunities to engage with peers and policymakers across Canada.
To Our Board of Directors
The steady guidance and support of the Board of Directorsover the past year, in addition to their commitment and insights, have been invaluable in helping us reach our goals and strengthen our organization.
Back row, L to R: David Rheault, Andy Lodge, Julien Baudry, Kim Griffin, Dan Rogers, Warren Tomlin, Julia Kelly Front row, L to R: Marie-Hélène Labrie, Marc Weil, Penny Wise (Chair), Candace Laing (President), Thomas Benjoe Not present: Laura Hewitt, Kendra MacDonald (Treasurer), Carman McNary (Vice Chair), Niranjan Vivekanandan
To #TeamChamber
It’s a privilege to serve Canadian businesses and to do so alongside a team of dedicated, talented and passionate individuals.