Your browser is not supported

Your browser is too old. To use this website, please use Chrome or Firefox.

Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Home / Uncategorised  /  Open letter from Canadian businesses to our elected representatives

Open letter from Canadian businesses to our elected representatives

February 11, 2022 | Uncategorised

Canadian businesses have suffered under the strain of constant disruptions over the last two years. The challenges they have had to overcome have included COVID-19, extreme weather events, increasing inflationary pressures, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions. Now achieving a successful recovery is threatened by the ongoing blockades of the critical infrastructure that enables the livelihoods and well-being of all Canadians.

La version française suit.

Canadian businesses have suffered under the strain of constant disruptions over the last two years. The challenges they have had to overcome have included COVID-19, extreme weather events, increasing inflationary pressures, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions. Now achieving a successful recovery is threatened by the ongoing blockades of the critical infrastructure that enables the livelihoods and well-being of all Canadians.

The harm is both immediate and severe. Each hour that these blockades continue does more serious damage to our economy and to our society. Manufacturers that depend on just-in-time delivery have been forced to cancel shifts for thousands of workers, shipments of livestock and of fresh produce face serious delays or waste that threaten food security, and deliveries of products that are greatly needed by Canadian families are being cancelled. These curtailments will only grow in scope and impact if the blockades continue.

Allowing these illegal closures to continue will also have serious economic and reputational consequences for the years ahead. The blockades not only strike against the rule of law that protects our rights and freedoms, but also undermine Canada’s international reputation. We are already hearing calls to move investment, contracts, and production from Canada because of our inability to guarantee timely delivery to international customers.

Canadians expect our elected representatives at all levels of government and from all political parties to set aside partisanship and jurisdictional squabbling to bring this issue to a quick resolution.

Our organizations call upon our elected representatives to expeditiously take the following actions.

  • Deliver a strong and unified commitment from the Prime Minister, Premiers, Opposition Party Leaders, and Mayors that the rule of law will be upheld.
  • Urgently enact measures to protect critical infrastructure to ensure further closures do not take place elsewhere in the country in the days ahead.
  • Seek immediate injunctive measures through the courts to assert a clear message that lawlessness will not be tolerated.
  • Ensure law enforcement agencies have all the necessary political support and appropriate tools needed to restore public order and remove any physical blockades that are not dismantled voluntarily.

Along with the vast majority of Canadians, Canada’s business community looks to you to restore the rule of law and to bring a successful end to these illegal actions that are damaging our economy and the well-being of our citizens. As order is re-established, we pledge to do our best to restore the jobs, products and services so greatly needed by our fellow citizens.

  • 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce
  • Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
  • Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
  • Alberta Chambers of Commerce
  • Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce
  • Animal Nutrition Association of Canada
  • Associated Equipment Distributors
  • Association of Canadian Port Authorities
  • Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
  • Association québécoise de l’industrie du cannabis
  • Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
  • Beer Canada
  • Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce
  • Brampton Board of Trade
  • Brandon Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Council of Manitoba
  • Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums
  • Canada-U.S. Business Association
  • Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA)
  • Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
  • Canadian Association of MoldMakers / AutomTe Canada
  • Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
  • Canadian Automobile Dealers Association
  • Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
  • Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  • Canadian Construction Association
  • Canadian Federation of Independent Business
  • Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
  • Canadian Food Exporters Association
  • Canadian Franchise Association
  • Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Ltd
  • Canadian Horticulture Council
  • Canadian Home Builders’ Association
  • Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
  • Canadian Meat Council
  • Canadian Pet Connection
  • Canadian Produce Marketing Association
  • Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association
  • Canadian Rental Association
  • Canadian Society of Customs Brokers
  • Canadian Steel Producers Association
  • Canadian Sugar Institute
  • Canadian Toy Association
  • Canola Council of Canada
  • Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
  • Chaleur Chamber of Commerce
  • Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
  • Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
  • Chamber of Commerce Niagara Falls, Canada
  • Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
  • Chambre de Commerce et d’industrie de Sherbrooke
  • Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce
  • Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
  • Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce
  • Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
  • CropLife Canada
  • Downtown Fredericton Inc.
  • East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce
  • East Hants and Districts Chamber of Commerce
  • Eastern PEI Chamber of Commerce
  • Electro-Federation Canada
  • Fertilizer Canada
  • FETCO
  • Flamborough Chamber of Commerce
  • Food Health & Consumer Products of Canada.
  • Food Producers of Canada
  • Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
  • Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce
  • Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
  • Freight Management Association
  • Frontier Duty Free Association
  • Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Georgina Chamber of Commerce
  • Global Automakers of Canada
  • Grain Growers of Canada
  • Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
  • Guelph Chamber of Commerce
  • Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
  • Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
  • Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada
  • HRAI:  Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Institute of Canada
  • Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce
  • Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron
  • Industrial Minerals Association – North America
  • Innovative Medicines Canada
  • Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA)
  • Junto Business Solutions Inc.
  • Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce
  • La Chambre de commerce de l’Ouest-de-l’Île de Montréal
  • Leamington District Chamber of Commerce
  • Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Lindsay + District Chamber of Commerce
  • London Chamber of Commerce
  • Lunenburg Board of Trade
  • Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
  • Meaford Chamber of Commerce
  • Medtech Canada
  • Milton Chamber of Commerce
  • Mining Association of Canada
  • Mississauga Board of Trade
  • Morinville & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce
  • North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
  • NWT Chamber of Commerce
  • Oakville Chamber of Commerce
  • Ontario Chamber of Commerce
  • Orillia District Chamber of Commerce
  • Ottawa Board of Trade
  • Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Peachland Chamber of Commerce
  • Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce
  • Pulse Canada
  • Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce
  • Quinte West Chamber of Commerce
  • Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada
  • Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Responsible Distribution Canada
  • Retail Council of Canada
  • RGA
  • Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce
  • Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
  • Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
  • Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Shipping Federation of Canada
  • Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
  • South Stormont Chamber of Commerce
  • South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce
  • St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce
  • St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Supply Chain Canada
  • Surrey Board of Trade
  • SWIFT CURRENT & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • The Business Council of Canada
  • The Canadian American Border Trade Alliance
  • The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitain Montreal
  • The Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce
  • The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
  • The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce
  • The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce
  • The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
  • Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
  • Titan Tek Inc.
  • Toronto Region Board of Trade
  • Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
  • Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce
  • Vermilion & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce
  • Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce
  • West Nipissing Chamber of Commerce
  • Western Canadian Shippers’ Coalition
  • Whitby Chamber of Commerce
  • Whitchurch-Stouffville Chamber of Commerce
  • WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Wine Growers Canada
  • Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce
  • WRLA
  • Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Yukon Chamber of Commerce

Lettre ouverte des entreprises canadiennes à leurs représentants
11 février 2022

Depuis deux ans, les entreprises canadiennes luttent contre vents et marées découlant de tempêtes successives. Elles ont notamment dû relever les défis posés par la COVID-19, les évènements climatiques extrêmes, les pressions inflationnistes croissantes, les pénuries de main-d’oeuvre et les perturbations de la chaîne d’approvisionnement. Aujourd’hui, le succès de la relance est hypothéqué par des blocages continus d’infrastructures essentielles qui assurent le gagne-pain et le bien-être de tous les Canadiens. 

Le danger est à la fois immédiat et grave. Chaque heure où ces blocages se poursuivent est synonyme de conséquences néfastes grandissantes pour notre économie et notre société. Les fabricants qui dépendent de la livraison juste-à-temps ont été forcés d’annuler les quarts de travail de milliers de travailleurs, les expéditions de bétail et de produits frais subissent des retards importants ou sont perdues, ce qui menace la sécurité alimentaire, et les livraisons de produits dont les familles canadiennes ont grandement besoin sont annulées. Ces compressions ne feront qu’augmenter en portée et en impact si les blocages perdurent. 

Permettre à ces blocages illégaux de se poursuivre aura également de graves conséquences sur l’économie et la réputation du pays dans les années à venir. Non seulement ces barrages routiers vont à l’encontre de la règle de droit qui protège nos droits et libertés, mais ils minent également la réputation internationale du Canada. Nous entendons déjà des voix s’élever pour que les investissements, les contrats et la production quittent le Canada en raison de notre incapacité à garantir une livraison rapide aux clients internationaux. 

Les Canadiens attendent de leurs représentants élus, tous ordres de gouvernement et tous partis politiques confondus, qu’ils mettent de côté la partisanerie et les querelles de clocher pour trouver une solution rapide à ce problème. 

Nos organisations demandent à nos élus de prendre sans tarder les mesures suivantes : 

  • Obtenir un engagement fort et commun de la part du premier ministre, des premiers ministres provinciaux, des chefs des partis d’opposition et des maires que le respect de la loi sera assuré.
  • Adopter de toute urgence des mesures pour protéger les infrastructures essentielles afin d’éviter que d’autres fermetures n’aient lieu ailleurs dans le pays dans les jours à venir.
  • Demander des mesures injonctives immédiates par le biais des tribunaux afin d’affirmer clairement que les actes illicites ne seront pas tolérés.
  • S’assurer que les autorités chargées de l’application de la loi disposent de tout le soutien politique nécessaire et des outils appropriés pour rétablir l’ordre public et lever tout barrage physique qui ne serait pas démantelé volontairement.

 Comme la grande majorité des Canadiens, le milieu des affaires du Canada compte sur vous pour rétablir la primauté du droit et pour mettre fin avec succès à ces actions illégales qui nuisent à notre économie et au bien-être de nos citoyens. Lorsque l’ordre sera rétabli, nous nous engageons à faire de notre mieux pour restaurer les emplois, les produits et les services dont nos concitoyens ont tant besoin. 

  • 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce
  • Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
  • Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
  • Alberta Chambers of Commerce
  • Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce
  • Animal Nutrition Association of Canada
  • Associated Equipment Distributors
  • Association of Canadian Port Authorities
  • Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
  • Association québécoise de l’industrie du cannabis
  • Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
  • Beer Canada
  • Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce
  • Brampton Board of Trade
  • Brandon Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Council of Manitoba
  • Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums
  • Canada-U.S. Business Association
  • Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA)
  • Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
  • Canadian Association of MoldMakers / AutomTe Canada
  • Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
  • Canadian Automobile Dealers Association
  • Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
  • Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  • Canadian Construction Association
  • Canadian Federation of Independent Business
  • Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
  • Canadian Food Exporters Association
  • Canadian Franchise Association
  • Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Ltd
  • Canadian Horticulture Council
  • Canadian Home Builders’ Association
  • Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
  • Canadian Meat Council
  • Canadian Pet Connection
  • Canadian Produce Marketing Association
  • Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association
  • Canadian Rental Association
  • Canadian Society of Customs Brokers
  • Canadian Steel Producers Association
  • Canadian Sugar Institute
  • Canadian Toy Association
  • Canola Council of Canada
  • Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
  • Chaleur Chamber of Commerce
  • Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
  • Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
  • Chamber of Commerce Niagara Falls, Canada
  • Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
  • Chambre de Commerce et d’industrie de Sherbrooke
  • Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce
  • Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
  • Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce
  • Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
  • CropLife Canada
  • Downtown Fredericton Inc.
  • East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce
  • East Hants and Districts Chamber of Commerce
  • Eastern PEI Chamber of Commerce
  • Electro-Federation Canada
  • Fertilizer Canada
  • FETCO
  • Flamborough Chamber of Commerce
  • Food Health & Consumer Products of Canada.
  • Food Producers of Canada
  • Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
  • Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce
  • Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
  • Freight Management Association
  • Frontier Duty Free Association
  • Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Georgina Chamber of Commerce
  • Global Automakers of Canada
  • Grain Growers of Canada
  • Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
  • Guelph Chamber of Commerce
  • Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
  • Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
  • Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada
  • HRAI:  Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Institute of Canada
  • Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce
  • Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron
  • Industrial Minerals Association – North America
  • Innovative Medicines Canada
  • Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA)
  • Junto Business Solutions Inc.
  • Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce
  • La Chambre de commerce de l’Ouest-de-l’Île de Montréal
  • Leamington District Chamber of Commerce
  • Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Lindsay + District Chamber of Commerce
  • London Chamber of Commerce
  • Lunenburg Board of Trade
  • Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
  • Meaford Chamber of Commerce
  • Medtech Canada
  • Milton Chamber of Commerce
  • Mining Association of Canada
  • Mississauga Board of Trade
  • Morinville & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce
  • North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
  • NWT Chamber of Commerce
  • Oakville Chamber of Commerce
  • Ontario Chamber of Commerce
  • Orillia District Chamber of Commerce
  • Ottawa Board of Trade
  • Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Peachland Chamber of Commerce
  • Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce
  • Pulse Canada
  • Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce
  • Quinte West Chamber of Commerce
  • Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada
  • Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Responsible Distribution Canada
  • Retail Council of Canada
  • RGA
  • Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce
  • Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
  • Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
  • Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Shipping Federation of Canada
  • Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
  • South Stormont Chamber of Commerce
  • South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce
  • St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce
  • St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Supply Chain Canada
  • Surrey Board of Trade
  • SWIFT CURRENT & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • The Business Council of Canada
  • The Canadian American Border Trade Alliance
  • The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitain Montreal
  • The Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce
  • The Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
  • The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce
  • The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce
  • The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
  • Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
  • Titan Tek Inc.
  • Toronto Region Board of Trade
  • Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
  • Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce
  • Vermilion & District Chamber of Commerce
  • Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce
  • Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce
  • West Nipissing Chamber of Commerce
  • Western Canadian Shippers’ Coalition
  • Whitby Chamber of Commerce
  • Whitchurch-Stouffville Chamber of Commerce
  • WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Wine Growers Canada
  • Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce
  • WRLA
  • Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Yukon Chamber of Commerce
Share this: