TRENTON, May 18, 2014: The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce is calling on local candidates in the provincial election to take actions in order to improve Ontario’s business climate and foster economic growth. Earlier today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce released Ontario Election 2014: Business Priorities, which among other recommendations, calls on all political parties to tackle Ontario’s growing debt, address out-of-control electricity prices, and invest in critical infrastructure.
“This provincial election comes at a critical time for the province,” says Dave Fairfield, Board Chair and President of the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce. “Our economy is recovering, but growth is sluggish. More than ever, government has to ensure it is doing everything in its power to encourage investment and job creation in the province.”
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Ontario Election 2014: Business Priorities outlines the major challenges inhibiting the province’s economic success and provides recommendations to Ontario’s political parties.
Among its key recommendations, Ontario Election 2014: Business Priorities calls on all political parties to create a better business climate by:
- limiting increases in the price of electricity and reconsidering new programs that would increase the financial burden on businesses (eg. Ontario Retirement Pension Plan);
- tackling the debt and deficit by restraining broader public sector compensation and by partnering with the private and not-for-profit sectors in the delivery of certain public services; and
- investing in critical infrastructure, including transit and transportation infrastructure in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and all-season transportation infrastructure in the Ring of Fire.
“Improving the business climate is good for everyone: it will encourage investment in the province, create jobs, and improve our prosperity,” says Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “All parties must be prepared to take the bold actions necessary to secure a successful future for Ontario.”
About us:
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is a business network of 160 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade in Ontario. Through this network we are the voice of 60,000 members that range from small businesses to major corporations and industry associations. Together, our members employ over two million people and produce nearly 17 percent of Ontario’s GDP.
