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Peterborough, ON February 26, 2016: The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is commending the government for its continuing commitment to addressing business concerns’ when it comes to the fiscal health of Ontario.  In the budget yesterday, the provincial government renewed its claim to eliminate the deficit by 2017-2018.   

“We would like to see continued progress to create efficiencies, such as program reviews and discussion with the federal government to mitigate the gap in Ontario’s share of federal funding,” said Stuart Harrison, President and CEO, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. “This will help create the opportunity for fiscal balance beyond the 2017-2018 budget.”  

The dedication to infrastructure improvement is appreciated by the business community and the Peterborough Chamber will continue to encourage the provincial government to consider projects that have the ability to open and create new pathways to market for all regions.  

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce commends the government for its commitment to making post secondary education tuition free for those families with income of less than $50,000 a year.  “As a revenue neutral program, it’s a way to build a knowledgeable and powerful workforce,” said Harrison.  “However, there is also the need for employers to access skilled talent and for those with skills to successfully access employment. The importance of an apprenticeship system that allows for flexibility and is reflective of need is imperative and must continue to be a focus in smaller, more rural centers such as the City and County of Peterborough.” 

In its 2015 report on cap and trade, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce had called on government to invest cap and trade proceeds in a way that helps businesses in the transition to a lower-carbon economy. The OCC notes that the employer community is eager to help shape how the $1.9 billion in proceeds are spent.
“We are encouraged by the government’s commitment to ensure the proceeds from the new cap and trade system are not placed under general revenues. As this policy is implemented, government must ensure that SMEs are not adversely affected,” adds Harrison. 
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The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is calling on government to take the same collaborative approach as it moves forward with the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP).

These two programs, Cap and Trade and ORPP, are part of the cumulative burden facing business, along with increasing electricity prices.  Further including the business community in the discussion, and continuing to consider mitigating programs to help with transition will be essential.    

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Media Contact:
Sandra Dueck
Policy Analyst/Communications Specialist
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
705.748.9771 x215
sandra@peterboroughchamber.ca

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce calls on Province to ‘Get Back to Fiscal Balance’
​Business Group Calls For 2016 Budget that Extends Business Engagement On Cap and Trade to Focus Proceeds on Job Creating Initiatives, and Contain Regulatory Burden to Ensure Economic Growth

PETERBOROUGH, ON, FEBRUARY 18, 2016: Today, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released its 2016 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, which outlines key priorities that address the need to eliminate the deficit and establish some much needed regulatory reforms. According to the most recent OCC membership survey, 92 percent of Ontario businesses believe it is important that the government meet its deficit elimination target by 2017-18. 

The province's debt load has prompted credit rating agencies, most notably Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor's, to downgrade the outlook for Ontario from stable to negative. This is a growing concern among foreign investors and provincial businesses. The Ontario Chamber Network recognizes that there is an opportunity to address the Province’s fiscal challenge through regulatory reform. 

“The regulatory burden, or cumulative burden, facing business is growing,” said Jason Becker, BDO Canada LLP and Chair of the Board of Directors, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. “We are asking the province to consider ways to mitigate the impacts around cap and trade by directing revenues from this program back into programs to help businesses transition to a lower carbon economy, and ORPP by offsetting the costs of the proposed plan through targeted tax relief or programs that provide relief in other areas such as the rising cost of electricity.” 
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In fact, 35 percent of respondents from the OCC membership survey are unsure as to how the proposed cap and trade system will impact their bottom line. By directing cap and trade revenues back to efforts that facilitate business transition to a lower carbon economy, the government can ensure that businesses will be able to continue to operate and grow in the province. 

“The Ontario Chamber Network applauds the government for demonstrating its commitment to burden reduction through programs such as the Open for Business Initiative. By working together, business and government can ensure that Ontario becomes a global regulatory centre of excellence,” said Allan O’Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. 

The 2016 Pre-Budget Submission includes 13 forward-looking recommendations designed to help the province create a stable environment for businesses in Ontario to thrive.
Read the Report
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The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce also made a presentation to the pre-budget consultations on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 with a focus on the federal funding gap, cumulative burden, infrastructure needs and skilled talent.  Read the Letter


Peterborough Chamber Media Contact:            
Sandra Dueck
Policy Analyst/Communications 
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce        
sandra@peterboroughchamber.ca 
705.748.9771 x215
 Learn more about Peterborough Chamber

February 2, 2016, Peterborough:

On Tuesday, January 19th the Chamber celebrated the inaugural meeting of the 2016 Board
of Directors, under the direction of Jason Becker of BDO Canada LLP as Chair of the Board.
 
As Chair, his focus is on the impact our 127 year-old member-driven organization can have
on the business community.  “We need to challenge ourselves; in all discussions we need
to ask - How does this strengthen our business community?” says Becker.  “We need to
​be intentional about everything we do.”

​Executive:
Chair – Jason Becker, BDO Canada LLP
Past Chair – Patric Marren, Glenn Windrem Trucking
Vice-Chair - Jim Hill, Pan-Oston Limited
​Treasurer – Lisa Smith, United Way of Peterborough& District
Secretary – Stuart Harrison, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
Directors-at-Large – Scott Mancini, RBC-Royal Bank 
                              – Ben vanVeen, Century 21 United Realty Inc., Brokerage
Directors:
Diane Camelford, Lansdowne Place
Joe Grant, LLF Lawyers LLP
Dawn Hennessey, Business Development Bank of Canada
Gwyneth James, Cody & James CPAs Professional Corporation
Lorrie McMullen, The Venue PTBO
Neil Morton, PTBOCanada.com
Brenda O’Brien, CHEX Television/FRESH/WOLF
Allison Seiderer, Living Well Mobility

Appointees:
Mayor Daryl Bennett, representing the City of Peterborough
Karl Moher, Douro-Dummer Township Deputy Mayor, representing the County of Peterborough
Theresa Foley, representing Women’s Business Network
Steven Brackenridge, representing the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture

Photos of the 2016 Chamber Board or Directors can be found on our Board of Directors page

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization. Our main focus is to channel the collective strength of the business community to improve the economy. This includes providing representation on numerous committees, conducting surveys, issuing discussion papers and developing policy positions on issues of significance to our members.
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For further information contact:
Sandra Dueck, Policy Analyst/Communications Specialist                     E-mail: sandra@peterboroughchamber.ca
Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce                                       Phone: (705) 748-9771 ext.215