Preparing for the 2019 federal election

The federal election is expected to be called in the next few weeks and the Peterborough Chamber is currently in the process of pulling together all of the information our members will need to know.

There are three ridings that cover Peterborough City and County.  These are:

• Peterborough-Kawartha

Population: 118,176
Registered Voters: 93,190
Area: 3,473km2

• Northumberland - Peterborough South

Population: 112,412
Registered Voters: 89,605
Area: 3,001km2

• Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

Population: 113,956
Registered Voters: 91,802
Area: 8,941km2

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce as always will be focussing on policy, not politics.   

In May the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a business platform titled “Vote Prosperity”
“We have published an open letter to all of Canada’s federal party leaders, challenging them to give our 200,000 business owners what they must have: a fighting chance to compete and grow. Canada’s
businesses have every right to expect a level playing field with the countries they compete against. We call on all party leaders to build their business policy proposals around the Vote Prosperity checklist, which outlines what Canada’s job creators themselves have identified as mission critical,” said the Hon. Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, President & CEO, CCC.

Vote Prosperity reflects the priorities and concerns of job creators in communities across Canada. Developed in partnership with Canada’s provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, Vote Prosperity lays out our seven priorities, along with a series of specific measures to attract investment to Canada, and help businesses create jobs, grow and strengthen our communities.

The seven priority areas are:

• Taxation
• Regulation
• Trade
• Small Business
• Connected Canada
• Skills

Some of the measures within those seven priority areas are, creating:

• A regulatory system that works for everyone, including business;
• A tax system that is fair, efficient and modern;
• Greater access to new markets around the world, and the breaking down of domestic trade barriers;
• Helping SMEs in a way that’s meaningful to them so that they can grow and succeed at home and abroad;
• Helping Canada seize the power of the digital age, while also investing in more traditional trade-enabling infrastructure;
• Helping grow a 21st century workforce with the skills,
• education and training required to prosper; and
• An affordable approach to filling the gaps in pharmacare without disrupting today’s employment provided plans.

“Without a thriving business sector, Canada’s economic growth suffers, our prosperity declines, and our governments can afford fewer roads, hospitals, and schools. When business succeeds, Canada succeeds. Our businesses needs the next government to be a forward-looking partner that helps them build a stronger and more innovative Canada for all,” added Beatty.

The Canadian Chamber has developed a website which can be accessed through our website peterboroughchamber.ca   

During this election campaign, seven local business organizations are banding together to host an all-candidates’ debate focussed on business issues.

The host organizations are:

• Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Business Improvement Area
• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors
• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Homebuilders Association
• Kawartha Manufacturers' Association
• Women's Business Network
• Peterborough and District Construction Association

The event will be held on Monday, September 30th at Market Hall from 5:30 – 9:00pm.