PETERBOROUGH (ON) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | PETERBOROUGH, ON
  • COVID-19
    • Financial Support Programs
    • Business Resources for Recovery
    • Government Responses
    • Workplace Guidelines
    • Wellness Support
    • Vaccine Information
    • Rapid Screening Kits
  • What We Do
    • Influence
    • Profile
    • Knowledge
    • TeamPtbo
  • Find A Member
    • Online Directory
  • Membership
    • Member Discounts
    • Promoting Your Business
    • I'm Here Campaign
    • #lovelocalptbo campaign
    • Join Us
    • Solar Panel Installers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • 2022 Business Excellence Awards
    • 2022 Business Summit
    • Power Hour 2023
  • Advocacy
    • Voice of Business
  • Connect With Your Chamber
    • Join Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Your Chamber Team
    • Social Media
    • Business Resources
    • Feedback >
      • Accessibility
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • #lovelocalptbokawarthas sponsors
  • Canadian Digital Adoption Plan
  • 2022 Municipal Election
Picture
Picture

Businesses quiz politicians at Chamber Power Hour

2/28/2018

 
Picture
The framework within which business operates is changing rapidly at multiple levels of government.

The bright spot in it all is that in Peterborough we have a wonderful and engaged business community willing to take risks so that their businesses can grow, willing to make it work so they have jobs and products to offer the community and willing to give back in taxes, fundraising initiatives and many
local sports, arts and cultural events.   We should celebrate their success at being profitable.  We cannot forget that a thriving business community is a significant contributor and a constituent to a healthy community.

What’s on the minds of business these days?

Provincially, businesses of all sizes are in the process of adjusting to a significant number of legislated changes around employment and labour laws.  How businesses adapt and if the legislated desired outcome will be achieved remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say that we’re in a period of disruption.

Electricity prices continue to put strain on businesses, as do planning and growth legislation, as well as finding the talent they need, when they need it.

Federally, changes to the rules around how private corporations are taxed raised concern amongst businesses.  The response to those proposed changes was very loud from the business community.   Clarification to rules around passive income for small business could be revealed in the 2018 federal budget.

If there ever was a moving target its NAFTA negotiations. There's also the implementation of CETA
continues; the ink is just drying on new version of the Trans Pacific Partnership, there is a renewed focus on reconciliation and gender parity; the announcement of Superclusters; the continued debate about pipelines; living in a global economy; and a rail project that the Peterborough business community would like to see given the green light.

Business is part of the conversation as the County and the City update their official plans and work is being done at both council tables around development charges. There are infrastructure needs and a new agriculture map that will guide growth in the County.

The City will be the site of a new provincially-owned marijuana store; the airport continues to grow,
as will Peterborough’s place in the clean tech sector with the new Cleantech Commons at Trent University.

Our members, Peterborough’s businesses simply want the tools and framework to be competitive, creative, and confident in their home community, province, and around the world.   

Together, with our Chamber member businesses that is what we advocate for and in doing so we are strengthening the business community.

We also strengthen the business community by asking questions.  At the Power Hour 16 questions were directed to our MP Minister Maryam Monsef, MPP Minister Jeff Leal, Warden Joe Taylor, and Mayor Daryl Bennett.   

When asked about debt all mentioned that infrastructure is one of the main reasons they were experiencing high debt levels, but that in some cases debt is necessary to get the work done, as long as there is a plan to move forward and pay down that investment.  Broadband was identified as a critical piece of infrastructure and it was acknowledged by all four politicians that improving access is key to our economic success.
Minister Leal told the crowd that the government is looking into transition programs for business and that more could be present in the upcoming provincial budget.  Minister Monsef spoke about her trip to Davos and meetings with the heads of Pepsi Co. and Coca-Cola. Warden Joe Taylor talked about the County of Peterborough through the lens of the 407, saying that through their official plan process they are ready for any influx of people. Mayor Bennett addressed new city rules around secondary units.   

To wrap up this article we go back to the first question of the night on talent.  All agreed that there are  more programs around integrated learning, that Peterborough area sectors such as agriculture and public administration will have openings for younger workers as older workers transition out of the workforce, and that there is increasing value in the brain trust of younger generations.  All of this to say that attracting and retaining talent is one of the most critical to the success of our communities.

*Power Hour Sponsor YourTV & Cogeco recorded the Q&A Session
Watch it on Channel 700 or 10:
Fri, Mar 2, 2018       7:00pm
Sun, Mar 4, 2018     12:00pm
Mon, Mar 12, 2018  7:00pm
Tue, Mar 13, 2018    2:00pm

Comments are closed.

    Author

    The Peterborough 
    Chamber of Commerce acts as a catalyst to enhance business growth, opportunity, innovation, partnerships and a diverse business community. 

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2021 Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.  ​All rights reserved.
175 George Street North, Peterborough, ON, K9J 3G6
Phone: (705) 748-9771  |  (705) 743-2331  
Home    |    Calendar    |   Site Map   |    Privacy    |    Accessibility
Join the Chamber
MemberClicks
  • COVID-19
    • Financial Support Programs
    • Business Resources for Recovery
    • Government Responses
    • Workplace Guidelines
    • Wellness Support
    • Vaccine Information
    • Rapid Screening Kits
  • What We Do
    • Influence
    • Profile
    • Knowledge
    • TeamPtbo
  • Find A Member
    • Online Directory
  • Membership
    • Member Discounts
    • Promoting Your Business
    • I'm Here Campaign
    • #lovelocalptbo campaign
    • Join Us
    • Solar Panel Installers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • 2022 Business Excellence Awards
    • 2022 Business Summit
    • Power Hour 2023
  • Advocacy
    • Voice of Business
  • Connect With Your Chamber
    • Join Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Your Chamber Team
    • Social Media
    • Business Resources
    • Feedback >
      • Accessibility
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • #lovelocalptbokawarthas sponsors
  • Canadian Digital Adoption Plan
  • 2022 Municipal Election