A monthly update to keep members of the local business community informed regarding advocacy issues at the local, provincial and national levels. Get involved to inspire positive change!
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Local Advocacy Initiatives

A urora Chamber Advocacy Committee Report
2018 Provincial Budget 

In cooperation with the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Chamber Advocacy members invited MPP Chris Ballard to present an analysis on the 2018 Provincial Budget on May 5 at the Aurora Public Library.

Minister Ballard's presentation covered programs related to infrastructure, housing and healthcare. Audience members asked questions about skills development, jobs, affordable housing and homelessness in York Region. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in this event. 

Sincerely,
Vicky McGrath, 
Chair, Aurora Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee

Announcement on Burden Reduction for Small Business

On May 19th, the Ontario Government announced their new measures to help small businesses and cut unnecessary Red Tape. The proposed measures will be introduced this fall, they include:
  • Reducing regulatory costs: Requiring all ministries to offset every dollar of new administrative costs to business, by removing $1.25 of old and unnecessary costs.
  • Streamlining compliance for small business: Ensuring that undue burdens aren't placed on small businesses when new or amended regulations are introduced, while maintaining robust environmental, health and safety requirements and other public interest protections.
  • International or national standards alignment: Increasing harmonization with other jurisdictions and adopting international or national standards, where appropriate, when developing or reviewing regulations.
  • Rewarding good actors: Recognizing businesses that have a good compliance record and lowering their costs by reducing the requirements, such as the number of inspections, without compromising the environment health and safety, and other protections.
  • Electronic transmission guarantee: Providing businesses the option to electronically submit any required documentation to the Government of Ontario instead of more costly paper submissions.
  • Government procurement: Introducing a preferred procurement policy for small businesses that would help provide better access to government contracts.
  • One-window service: Developing a new program that would help small businesses access support, information and resources by phone, online and in person.
  • Reducing fees and other costs: Reviewing licence and registration fees paid with a goal of providing relief to small- and medium-sized businesses.
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce is very encouraged by the announcement on burden reduction. Cutting red tape for business has been a key component of our advocacy work and we are pleased to see government make meaningful change to reduce the regulatory burden on small business.

The one-window service concept will help save businesses time and money. This approach is something the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) advocated for in their report Obstacles and Opportunities, which was the culmination of the Chamber Network's work during the Small Business Too Big to Ignore campaign. The small business procurement policy is also very encouraging, and we ask the government to consider how they can expand this opportunity for small businesses across the province.

We are pleased to see Ontario adopt the $1 in $1.25 out provision, which will apply to new administrative costs. This is a best practice internationally and will keep the regulatory burden on business in check. We would certainly encourage this government to consider how they can bring costs down for business more broadly, outside of administrative fees.

All of these changes will have meaningful and positive impacts on Ontario’s business community, and especially among small businesses. But to keep Ontario competitive, we need to ensure that any impending changes to the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act are evidence based and fully costed.
What's Holding Your Business Back?  
As the largest and most influential business association in Aurora, we are the voice of our members and the Aurora business community. We bring Aurora business issues to the forefront and we work to create positive change. 

If you are a member of the local business community and have a concern about something affecting your business, contact the Chamber to share your issue. We stand up for all Aurora businesses!

Provincial Advocacy Initiatives & News

Advocacy Initiatives from the  Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
Update: Changing Workplaces Review Final Report

Yesterday morning the Ontario Government's Special Advisors released their final report in the Changing Workplaces Review, outlining 173 recommendations to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) and the Labour Relations Act (LRA).
For more than two years, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Keep Ontario Working coalition have been productive partners in working with the government and Special Advisors to ensure that the employer voice is represented in this report. The Changing Workplaces Review has been based on academic and legal analyses, and now it is the responsibility of the Government of Ontario to decide which among these recommendations should be adopted. Read the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's full statement on the report and more information on how these recommendations could affect Ontario's business community.  
OCC Spring Survey:  Make Your Voice Heard!

Complete the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's (OCC) annual spring survey . This is an easy way to make your voice heard.

Your survey responses directly impact the work of the OCC and directly impact what government understands about Ontario's businesses and economy.

Help the OCC advocate for you, it only take five minutes!
The OCC Sends a Letter to Minister Bains Calling on the Federal Government to Support Nuclear Innovation

The Ontario Chamber Network has long recognized the important role of nuclear technology and its contribution to our economy.

Aided by Ontario’s leadership and expertise, we believe that continued Canadian investment in nuclear innovation will benefit not only our environment, but the future prosperity of our nation.

In May, the OCC sent an open letter to the Hon. Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, calling on the federal government to continue Canada's leadership in nuclear innovation.

This letter builds on a policy resolution passed at the OCC's AGM in 2016. 

National Advocacy Initiatives & News

Advocacy Initiatives from the  Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC)
Chamber Trade Promotion in the U.S.

In April, Perrin Beatty, CCC President & CEO, completed a trade promotion visit to South Carolina, Virginia and Washington D.C., holding meetings with governors, secretaries of commerce and chamber of commerce executives to strengthen business ties between Canada and the United States.

The mission was the result of collaboration between the business community and the federal government of Canada and is part of the CCC's ongoing U.S. trade promotion strategy.

Perrin was in Southeast U.S. to raise awareness of the United States’ reliance on trade with Canada. In South Carolina, for example, over 165,000 jobs depend on trade with Canada, but many Americans aren’t aware of trade facts like this.  By working with pro-trade allies across the U.S. to ensure Canadian businesses aren’t treated unfairly, we can build partnerships that benefit both countries.

The CCC is gearing up for a future missions to several southern U.S. States with the most immediate being Tennessee in July.

The Canadian consular staff is being very helpful in setting the groundwork, but should you have any business connections in Tennessee, please let us know. Cities that will be “targeted” for events are Memphis and Nashville. Chambers of commerce in those cities will also be on the radar for our awareness-building events.

If you have connections in these cities, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. We will connect you with the appropriate contact at the CCC for further discussion. 
National Advocacy News
How a Bill Becomes a Law in Canada

Do you know how a bill becomes a law in Canada? Brush up on the facts surrounding the process with this handy infographic, courtesy of the Senate of Canada. 
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Aurora Chamber of Commerce | Phone: 905-727-7262 | Fax: 905-841-6217 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.aurorachamber.on.ca

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