See our latest policy and advocacy work from the Greater Niagara Chamber, promoting policy and governance that’s good for business, and representing Niagara’s business community to government at the provincial level. Get in touch to let us know how we can support your business. Follow us on twitter at @GNCCadvocacy for up-to-the-minute news or subscribe to get updates in your inbox.
Addressing Regional Imbalances Critical To Ontario’s Future
September 12, 2019
Industry report outlines strategies to unlock the economic potential of communities across the province Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) released a new report, The Great Mosaic: Reviving Ontario’s Regional Economies. The report outlines how government of all levels can work with industry to unleash the…
The Great Mosaic: Report
September 12, 2019
The Great Mosaic: Reviving Ontario’s Regional Economies offers a framework for thinking about the present and future of Ontario’s regional economies. With this report, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) examines the unique strengths, opportunities, and challenges of different communities across the province.
The Great Mosaic: Summary of Recommendations
September 12, 2019
From the OCC Report – The Great Mosaic: Reviving Ontario’s Regional Economies. This report offers 17 practical recommendations to help build an environment in which Ontarians can continue to adapt and thrive as the economy evolves.
The Chamber and the Carbon Tax
September 3, 2019
Climate change is a serious threat to our way of life, and its consequences are already being felt in rising food prices, droughts, and extreme weather phenomena. Canada has received a higher level of warming since 1948 than most countries in the world and has seen a correspondingly higher level of climate impact, with Canadian…
GNCC Calls for Recall of Gasoline Pump Stickers
August 30, 2019
Today marks the Government of Ontario’s self-imposed deadline for the imposition of carbon tax pricing stickers as part of the Federal Carbon Tax Transparency Act, 2019. After today, gas stations across the country will have to display a sticker on each pump advising motorists of the costs of the federal carbon tax. The GNCC is…
Refreshing the Sale of Beverage Alcohol in Ontario
July 24, 2019
Ontarians want to see a more modern, convenient beverage alcohol retail system and we are closer than ever to substantive reforms to how alcohol is distributed, bought, and sold in Ontario. By removing barriers and levelling the playing field, the Province can unleash the potential of the beverage alcohol sector, support regional economic development, meet…
Province launches public consultation on land use and housing policy
July 23, 2019
Ontario residents will have 90 days to comment on changes to Ontario’s land-use policies which, according to Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, will create more housing stock in the province. Clark announced the consultation during a speech at a Great Niagara Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Rockway Vineyards in St. Catharines Monday morning. Clark said…
Brock partners with Niagara chambers for landmark survey
May 15, 2019
Brock University is partnering with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) and South Niagara Chambers of Commerce (SNCC) on a survey to better understand how the talent and skills capacity of the region lines up with the needs of employers. The Chamber of Commerce Survey is now open on the Brock University website and…
GNCC Comments on Proposed Government Reform in Niagara
May 13, 2019
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, as Niagara’s largest business organization, wishes to offer these comments on the Government of Ontario’s proposal to review and potentially alter the governance structure of Niagara. Our mandate is to improve business competitiveness in Niagara and to foster an environment where our members can thrive. The GNCC is agnostic…
GNCC Delegation on Governance Reform
May 2, 2019
On May 1st, the Government of Ontario’s special advisers, Michael Fenn and Ken Seiling, were in Niagara to hear delegations on governance reform. The GNCC was there to represent the interests of business, and you can see the presentation from CEO Mishka Balsom and Government Relations Director Hugo Chesshire above. The GNCC spoke about the…
GNCC Reaction to 2019 Ontario Budget
April 12, 2019
The new Government of Ontario released its first budget yesterday afternoon. Although a budget is a closely-guarded secret until its release, some measures were expected: tax cuts aimed at stimulating business growth, dental care for seniors in poverty, childcare subsidies, a transit plan for the GTA, some service cuts and/or efficiencies, a virtually-unavoidable deficit, and…
Accounting for Ontario’s Debt
April 4, 2019
Discourse surrounding Ontario’s debt is a contentious topic, with views ranging from its characterization as a ‘crisis’ requiring immediate action, to suggestion that deficit spending is necessary to spur economic growth. [Download the report as a PDF] ABOUT THE ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has been…
Tomorrow’s Niagara – Executive Summary
March 15, 2019
The Ontario Government announced a review and potential reform of Niagara’s municipal governance structure. Here is an overview of different governance models. The summaries below include some of the more notable advantages and challenges for each model. For more detail, see the full background paper. Status Quo Niagara’s government structure remains unchanged No cost –…
Provincial Government Survey
March 14, 2019
Help inform the Government of Ontario’s review of regional municipalities Ontario is launching online consultation for the regional government review of eight regional municipalities and their lower-tiers. In total, 82 municipalities are included in the review. The government invites our members to share their thoughts on the municipalities where you live, work or spend time. …
Shifting the conversation about governance reform
January 23, 2019
Last week, the Government of Ontario announced that it will be reviewing the government structure of eight regions in the province, including their lower-tier municipalities, and Niagara is one of them. Two highly-regarded special advisers, Michael Fenn and Ken Seiling, have been appointed and their recommendations are scheduled to be submitted to the minister of…
