(BARRIE, ON – April 4, 2024) – As Canada grapples with global economic headwinds and declining competitiveness, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has released its 2024 Federal Budget Submission, with proposals to support higher productivity, more innovation, and sustainable, inclusive growth.
“Businesses across the County of Simcoe continue to face challenges as a result of labour shortages, inflation, and economic uncertainty,” said Paul Markle, Executive Director of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. “Canada’s 2024 Budget must rebuild confidence amongst Ontario businesses, supporting sectors that have been disproportionately impacted by economic disruptions, generating predictability, and laying the groundwork for inclusive and sustainable growth.”
The OCC’s 2024 Federal Budget Submission includes recommendations to:
- Cultivating competitiveness and inclusive, sustainable growth by building upon existing debt-relief options for small-and-medium sized enterprises in sectors needing it most, attracting competitive investments in low-carbon energy and adaptation, and taking meaningful action on economic reconciliation with Indigenous people, nations and communities.
- Investing in resilient, healthy communities by addressing human health resources shortages, collaborating with industry and key stakeholders on plans for national dental care, pharmacare, and the national strategy for drugs for rare disease-modifying treatments, and prioritizing investments throughout the life sciences ecosystem.
- Empowering Canada’s workforce by working with northern, rural, and remote communities to attract and retain workers, addressing uncertainty in Canada’s post-secondary by engaging in productive conversations with provinces, territories, and educational institutions to clarify how the cap on international student enrollment aligns effectively with the established trusted institution framework, and reforming the Employment Insurance system.
- Building strong foundations through infrastructure by addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis through partnerships and innovative solutions, recommitting to deeper market and non-market housing affordability along the housing continuum, and taking immediate action on a robust nationwide infrastructure strategy, including investments in clean technologies, supply chains, transit, and broadband.
“Canada’s competitiveness problem can only be solved through increased productivity and innovation,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “This is why the Ontario Chamber of Commerce calls for Budget 2024 to prioritize measures that attract private sector investment, support a healthy and skilled workforce, and build the infrastructure Canada needs for sustainable prosperity.”
READ THE OCC’S FEDERAL BUDGET SUBMISSION HERE.
The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce advocates, connects, encourages & shares tangible ideas that generate enterprise success & regional prosperity. Our business community is growing, collaborating, and thriving together. Join and connect with close to 900 Barrie area businesses through Chamber events, programming, networking, and local initiatives.
About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.
For more information or to arrange an interview:
Paul@barriechamber.com
