Media Release: Concerns of Business Cannot Be Ignored this Election Campaign

Concerns of Business Cannot Be Ignored this Election Campaign:
​Peterborough and Ontario Chamber of Commerce 
Ontario’s Business Advocate mobilizes around election priorities in 135 communities across the province

Peterborough, May 3, 2018– The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and Peterborough Chamber of Commerce are mobilizing this election to bring their recommendations in Vote Prosperity to political leaders and local candidates across the province. Over the course of the campaign, local chambers and boards of trade will be boldly pushing the Vote Prosperity message through local debates (The Peterborough Chamber Candidates Debate is Thursday, May 17, 2018 4-6pm at Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront), events and stakeholder meetings.

“Peterborough and local chambers and boards of trade across the province have been highlighting business priorities for this election.  We’ve also reached out to our membership to survey them on the issues important to their businesses,” said Stuart Harrison, President & CEO, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. “During this election campaign, we will continue those efforts, calling on our local candidates to adopt our economic plan that will help strengthen businesses competitiveness, foster job creation, build healthy communities and improve government accountability.”

Since October, the OCC and Peterborough Chamber have been advocating for the recommendations for a strong Ontario outlined in Vote Prosperity. As leaders in their communities, during the campaign period local chambers and boards of trades will be hosting candidates debates and events, with a focus on the Vote Prosperity message.

With industry feeling the impacts of the increasing cumulative burden, the OCC and Peterborough Chamber have also warned that Ontario’s next government must be committed to taking bold action in providing pro-growth policy solutions.

“Ontario has the foundation for sustainable and equitable growth. But, bold action and leadership will be required of the newly elected Government of Ontario, whether it is Liberal, PC or NDP,” added Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Vote Prosperity is based on four pillars for Ontario:

1. Strengthen business competitiveness: Rising input costs, especially those costs deriving from government regulation and policy, are the most common and acute concern of the business community in Ontario.
2. Foster Job Creation: A robust labour market consisting of good jobs is essential to prosperity for all Ontarians.
3. Build Healthy Communities: Building strong communities through adequate and affordable housing, sustainable health care, and good infrastructure also supports business prosperity and growth, which supports those communities.
4. Improve Government Accountability: Poor implementation of government initiatives can result in resource waste, political frustration and disruption for ordinary citizens, as demonstrated by a series of policy failures under governments of all political stripes.

The platform provides eighteen unique recommendations that will help bolster Ontario’s long-term economic future, while also addressing the pressing issues the province currently faces.
The full list of recommendations in Vote Prosperity along with riding and candidate information can be found at https://www.peterboroughchamber.ca/provincial-election-2018-vote-prosperity.html


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For more information please contact:
Sandra Dueck, Policy Analyst/Communications Specialist
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
705.748.9771 x215
sandra@peterboroughchamber.ca