It has been nearly ten months since Canada became the second country and first large developed economy in the world to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use. This bold economic experiment is generating new jobs and economic opportunity as thousands of Canadians have flocked to work in this bourgeoning industry. Unlike other new industries that often generate localized growth in specific regions or large cities, the cannabis industry is proving far more expansive, providing new opportunities across the entire country including in many smaller and rural communities.

With our head start, Canada has the potential to be a world leader in the nascent global cannabis industry as other countries liberalize their medical and recreational markets.  However, taking advantage of this unprecedented opportunity means we cannot rest on our laurels about being the first, it means we must continue to learn from our experience and adapt.

So where do the rules still need defining? Find out in our latest 5 Minutes for Business!

Today marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, where millions of leaders, innovators and dreamers across the world celebrate and recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs to our economy.

There are nearly 95,000 new SMEs created every year, which is why we want to help commemorate the entrepreneurs who start them! Here are the top 3 ways that entrepreneurs are enriching our lives:

1. Entrepreneurs create new business. Their new ventures often times stimulate growth for related businesses or sectors who support them.
2. Entrepreneurs add to our GDP. Beyond the new wealth generated from their product or services, the increased employment and higher earnings contribute to our GDP.
3. Entrepreneurs help community development. Often times their money goes back into the local economy, whether it is supporting local charities, educations or helping other like-minded ventures.

Every entrepreneur has a different story, in the spirit of Global Entrepreneurship Week, we want to hear those stories about why you decided to start your own business! Additionally, we encourage other organizations to share how they are supporting entrepreneurial growth here and abroad. To share your stories with us, engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been unequivocal: without significant action to limit global warming to a 1.5 degrees, humans will increasingly suffer from the effects of extreme weather events, disease and the loss of habitable land. Canada simply cannot achieve its climate goals unless the government can successfully establish the investment environment that will allow Canada’s business community to offset emissions elsewhere through energy products. Canada’s business community will be a driver in effective and responsible climate action. We hope our policy makers will be able to say the same.

To find out more, read this month’s 5 Minutes for Business.

Did you know that we act as ICC Canada, Canada’s national committee of the International Chamber of Commerce? Along with promoting international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation, our membership with the ICC also allows us to have the ICC Canada Arbitration Committee.

Earlier this month, we gathered some of the leading international arbitrators for our ICC Canada International Arbitration Conference in Banff, Alberta. From panel discussions to networking, the conference allowed the arbitrators to address the changes and challenges confronting the international dispute resolution community.

So what were some of the key opportunities and obstacles discussed at this year’s conference? A main theme was addressing climate and natural resource concerns worldwide. We held a panel discussion that provided different perspectives on the increasing relevance of climate change and the environment in arbitrations and disputes worldwide. Against the background of depressed oil and gas prices and the challenges of getting pipelines to market in Canada, we also felt it was important to address the current trends in oil and gas arbitrations and what is on the horizon for arbitration in that sector.

The conference also allowed for arbitrators to hear from clients on their candid views of the arbitration process and how it has benefited their organizations. Additionally, they were able to learn about recent developments in international arbitration and other best practices.

To learn more about our ICC Canada Arbitration Committee, click here.

Phil Taylor, Senior Director, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs

OTTAWA – September 11, 2019 – Today, the Honourable Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement regarding the Canadian Chamber’s decision to register with Elections Canada as a third party for the 2019 federal election. 

“While the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will advocate policies to strengthen Canadian business and increase our country’s prosperity in the 2019 federal election, we will remain scrupulously non-partisan. We will neither endorse nor oppose any political party, leader or candidate. 

Following recent confusion about how Elections Canada will interpret the Canada Elections Act, our legal counsel has recommended that the Canadian Chamber register as a third party for the 2019 campaign. Given the possibility that any advocacy on an issue, even without referring to a party, leader or candidate, could be perceived as third party activity, we have decided in the interests of prudence to register as a third party.”

For information about the policies advocated by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.platformforprosperity.com. 

The Voice of Canadian Business

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most representative business association, which speaks with one unified voice on behalf of nearly a quarter million businesses. The Chamber’s job is to help Canadian businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions grow their businesses. We do this by helping them connect to each other, new opportunities, providing essential business services, and influencing government policy on their behalf. 

For more information, please contact:
Phil Taylor 
Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs 
ptaylor@chamber.ca (preferred and fastest response time) 
613.238.4000 (2231) 

With over 1.2 million small businesses in Canada, we are proud to help celebrate the role they play in our economy.

Small Business Week begins today and we are running our #iheartsmallbiz campaign on social media to recognize some of the extraordinary small businesses that are making a big impact in communities across Canada and in the everyday lives of their customers. We encourage you to share a photo of your small business or one that you admire using #iheartsmallbiz on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

So why are SMEs so important to Canada’s economy? Find out below from some of our members!

“If you want to see true creativity and innovation, ask an SME to solve a problem. SMEs in Canada are the ones taking risks, pushing boundaries, developing new and disrupting all industries. We are not afraid of tech, we are not afraid of change and we embrace it all to create the advantages we need to compete – and win,” said Matthew Strentse, Co-founder and COO of Iversoft.

“If you want to know why SMEs are important, look to your left or your right.  If it is not you, then one of the two people on either side of you are employed by an SME in Canada. It is important for a healthy and stable Canada to make sure SMEs thrive in Canada and in the global marketplace,” said David Downey, CEO of ArcoInfo Inc.

“SMEs matter to Canada as we are the primary employers. SMEs and their employees pay more income tax than all large corporations combined. SMEs are the incubators for innovation and are critical to keeping IP in Canada,” said Murray Rowe Jr., President of Forrest Green Group of Companies.

“Local small businesses, such as our full service law firm in Langley, British Columbia, are the engine that drives our economy. We employ over 60 lawyers and staff who work, pay tax, live, shop, learn, play, volunteer, donate and invest in our community,” said Scott T. Johnston, Partner at Campbell Burton and McMullan LLP.

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum in Geneva is the annual congregation of the trade policy world. Think Woodstock for trade policy wonks, but instead of Creedence Clearwater Revival playing Bad Moon Rising, it’s the rock stars of the trade world discussing reforms to the WTO Appellate Body, the customs duty moratorium on electronic transmissions and the ongoing E-commerce discussions. Bored yet?

Kidding aside, it’s a key forum for businesses, think-tanks, civil society and governments to discuss the most crucial issues facing the global trade system. The event brings high-calibre speakers and perhaps more importantly an opportunity to arrange side programs with key people.

This year, we went double-hatted as both the Canadian Chamber and the Canadian Services Coalition to participate in activities organized by the International Chamber of Commerce, Global Services Coalition and Global Business Coalition. It afforded us the opportunity to get perspectives and raise concerns on issues affecting Canadian businesses with representatives from Canada, United States, European Union, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and the head of the WTO, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, among others.

There were several key takeaways from the event that matter for businesses selling both goods and services, at home and abroad.

WTO Appellate Body (AB): The AB is the final stop for countries engaging in trade disputes, and its functioning is crucial for countries to assert their international trade rights. It particularly matters for smaller countries such as Canada since it means we can ensure predictable outcomes for companies rather than resorting to trade wars which would do more harm than good. The United States has a number of long-standing concerns about whether the body is functioning as it should, and has blocked the appointment of AB panelists. As of December when the next panelist’s tenure expires, the AB will cease to be able to function unless further appointments are made. This would mean Canada losing a key tool to defend our trade interests.

Moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions: Since the late 1990s, WTO members have agreed a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions. However, there is a significant risk that the moratorium will not be renewed at the next checkpoint in December since some countries are concerned about the impact on tariff revenue due to digitalization. Not renewing the moratorium opens a Pandora’s box by opening the door for taxes being applied to both digitized products and products where there is no real-world analogue such as software or other digitally-delivered services. Given the discriminatory nature of a customs duty on electronic transmissions, it poses a big risk for Canadian companies. The Global Services Coalition supported a study looking at this issue in greater detail.

WTO E-commerce discussions: These digital issues are being discussed in forums such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and numerous others. The WTO provides a unique angle given the critical mass it provides with over 160 countries that can join the talks. Countries participating have the chance to set a more coherent set of digital rules than is currently the case, which is something we regularly hear about from members. It’ll take flexibility and creative solutions to bridge the gap on sensitive issues such as cross-border data flows. Ultimately, what happens here will set the digital framework within which Canadian businesses operate both at home and abroad. The Canadian Chamber is also advocating for strong measures supporting trade facilitation, which is all about getting goods across borders more easily. These measures are where the e-commerce world meets the real world and are crucial for SMEs to reach new customers.

As the title alludes, what happens in Geneva does not stay in Geneva. It directly impacts Canadian businesses and it’s an important forum for companies to be active and make known their views on the issues directly affecting their bottom line. To learn more about our international advocacy, click here.

As democratic strategist James Carville famously put it during Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Election day is two weeks away and it’s remarkable how none of the federal parties have presented a serious plan for economic growth. For business owners, employees and investors, the lack of thoughtful economic policy in this election is disappointing. For all Canadians, it’s insulting that our politicians believe that voters are unable to make a connection between business growth and their own quality of life.

What else do we have to say about the upcoming federal election? Find out in this month’s 5 Minutes for Business: It’s still the economy, stupid.

Canada cannot compete globally and protect the social safety nets we hold dear unless all people have the same opportunities to participate in and benefit from our economy. That includes ensuring opportunities are available to our Indigenous peoples, Canada’s youngest and fastest growing demographic.

This is why the Canadian Chamber strongly supports the Martin Family Initiative’s Indigenous entrepreneurship education programs. The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP) offers courses for Indigenous high school students. The Indigenous Entrepreneurship Course (IEC) will be offered for the first time this fall at six colleges in British Columbia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Saskatchewan* to Indigenous youth and adults who have left the formal education system but want to explore the opportunities of starting their own businesses. 

According to the 2019 Report of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, the growth in self-employed Indigenous peoples is five times that of non-Indigenous peoples. This impressive figure demonstrates that Indigenous peoples have an appetite to pursue entrepreneurship. The Martin Family Initiative’s entrepreneurship programs, developed by Indigenous peoples for Indigenous peoples, help satisfy that appetite.

Both AYEP and IEC not only hold the promise of helping Indigenous youth catch the entrepreneurship bug, but are also the type of education programs that entrepreneurs tell us are needed for all young people in Canada. It is important for more secondary and post-secondary education institutions as well as businesses to know about these programs to attract aspiring entrepreneurs.

Click here to learn more about the Martin Family Initiative’s programs.

*Camouson College, Victoria; Saskatchewan Indigenous Institute of Technologies, Saskatoon; Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatoon; Anishinabek Employment and Training Services (AETS), Thunder Bay; Oshki-Pimache-O-Win/The Wenjack Institute, Thunder Bay; and College of the North Atlantic, Newfoundland and Labrador

Today marks the start of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, to help us celebrate, our member, Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX), has shared with us their perspective on a crucial issue that’s affecting Canadians everyday.

“Individuals, businesses and every level of government are benefitting from technology that is changing the way we work, socialize and advance as societies. At the same time, criminals and nation states are launching cyber attacks against us with increasing volume and velocity. Cyber threats and risks are growing in every industry in Canada; no sector and no organization is immune.

Organizations used to believe that if they did not have trade secrets or intellectual property to steal that they were immune to cyber threats, but that thinking does not apply in today’s world of ransomware attacks. Cyber attackers now want to deny you the ability to use your information – deny your ability to operate – so you will pay their ransom.

A holistic approach to cyber resilience requires paying attention to not only technology but also people and policy. In this constantly evolving and increasingly sophisticated threat environment, it is no longer enough to protect your own IT infrastructure. We execute in an interconnected world with suppliers, smart buildings, smart cities, transportation, payments, IoT devices – an endless opportunity for adversaries. Every piece of your supply chain is a potential risk. Collaboration within industry sectors and across sectors is essential to outsmart the attackers.   

Increasing Canada’s cyber resilience requires a national response. We must enable our collective resources to work together as a team. Companies are realizing that they cannot defend their networks on their own. They recognize that collaborating to share cyber threat intelligence and best practices makes good business sense. None of us are as smart as all of us, that is the reason why the private sector established CCTX.”

CCTX is working together to provide a Canadian perspective derived from the global cyber threat environment. To see how you can get involved and to learn more about the CCTX, click here.