Burlington Chamber of Commerce - Advocacy

A key objective of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce is to be an effective advocate for Burlington business. The Chamber works on your behalf. Our alliances with other Chambers and Boards of Trade, including the Ontario and Canadian Chambers, provide us with information and access to all levels of government. We carry the collective and individual views of Chamber members to all levels of government to ensure that your voice is heard. The Burlington Chamber proudly boasts that it is a proactive, not reactive organization. We help draft policy rather than simply criticize it.

Over the past few months, the Chamber has been active delivering your views to the City of Burlington, the Region of Halton, the Provincial and Federal governments. Below is a summary of some of the advocacy activities of the last several months.

DEVELOPMENT CHARGES POLICY - February 29

In light of the current work to update Halton Region's development charges by-law, the Burlington Chamber worked with the other Halton Chambers to draft a new development changes policy recommendation. This policy recommendation (which calls for the continuation of DC discounts for the industrial non-retail commercial sectors) was approved by the Board and delivered to the Halton Region Audit and Finance Committee. Click here to see the joint development charges Policy recommendation. You can see all the DC meeting minutes and presentations on the Region's DC web page.

Our February 12 Business Forum will featured Joyce Savoline, newly elected MPP for Burlington. Ms. Savoline's presentation focussed on her key issues as Burlington MPP and Education Critic. There were several questions from the audience about funding for capital projects in Burlington, primarily the proposed hospital expansion and the Performing Arts Centre. Attendees also asked about health care for seniors, housing and black-focused schools.

For the last year and a half, the Chamber has been working with both the city and the region to increase the amount of fine paper recycling pickup for local businesses. At the December Halton Region Council meeting a recommendation was adopted that provides for fine paper recycling for commercial locations. Businesses who not get either garbage collection or cardboard collection can get fine paper recycling collection. Congratulations to the Chamber's Political Action Committee for helping to make this happen. If you have any questions about recycling and waste collection for your business, contact the Region's waste collection section at 905-825-6000.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan delivered the province’s Economic Update in the Legislature on December 7. The update contained good news for business and the OCC. Effective January 1, 2008 the government plans to eliminate the corporate capital tax for the manufacturing and resource sector. Additionally, all businesses will benefit from a 21% rate reduction of the corporate capital tax, retroactive to January 1, 2007. The OCC has consistently advocated for the elimination of the capital tax. The OCC also commends the government for increasing the deduction threshold for small business, additional funding for infrastructure and further investment in skills development and re-employment of laid-off workers.

After working with Chambers across the country to orchestrate a major win for business by defeating Bill C-257, the Burlington Chamber continues to work to defeat Bill C-415. Bill C-415 proposes essentially the same ban on replacement workers for essential services as Bill C-257 did. The Chamber has written to local MPs Mike Wallace and Garth Turner asking them to help defeat the Bill. Click here to read the Chamber letter. Mike Wallace has agreed to vote against the Bill. Board Chair Rosalene Phillips and Chamber President Keith Hoey met with Halton MP Garth Turner and he, too, has agreed to vote against Bill C-415.

On October 12, The Chamber hosted a large crowd of Burlington business people at a special luncheon featuring keynote speaker Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. Attendees came from as far as Toronto to hear Mr. Flaherty. In his presentation, the Finance Minister outlined the current state of the Canadian economy, Canada's leadership in natural resources production, the accomplishments of the government over the past 19 months, fiscal balance, upcoming challenges and Canada's long term economic plan (Advantage Canada). He also discussed infrastructure, public-private partnerships and labour issues. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to entertain clients and many stayed well after the speech to make new business contacts. Click here to read Mr. Flaherty's speech. The Chamber thanks Mike Wallace MP for helping to make this special event possible. This event was proudly sponsored by AIC Limited.

With the provincial election coming up on October 10 the Chamber held a Provincial Candidates Meeting on October 3. Candidates from the four major parties in both Halton and Burlington ridings answered questions from the audience on health care, education, taxation and many other issues. The meeting was in the format of a moderated question and answer session and was facilitated by Rosalene Phillips, Chair, Chamber Board of Directors. A representative of Elections Ontario was present to answer questions about the referendum on the proposed Mixed Member Proportional electoral system. This event was proudly sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn.

BURLINGTON RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT CANADIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - September 17

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting in Markham on September 16 to 18, 2007. The convention was attended by 197 delegates representing Chambers and Boards of Trade from all regions of Canada. The main purpose of the convention was a series of votes by the general membership on Canadian Chamber policy resolutions. In all, a total of 57 resolutions were voted on by the general membership. Of these, 22 were adopted, 29 were amended and adopted, five were defeated and one was referred to the CCC Board of Directors. This was the highest number of amendments in recent memory -- a tribute to the democratic process that is used to debate and develop resolutions. The Burlington Chamber was represented by Rosalene Phillips (Board Chair), Keith Hoey (President) and Jason Safar (Directory and Past Chair of the Chamber's Political Action Committee). Jason presented the Burlington Chamber's Interest Deductibility Uncertainty resolution which was adopted with an amendment.

Burlington Member of Parliament Mike Wallace met with the Chamber's Political Action Committee and Board of Directors to discuss Burlington councils priorities and challenges. Mr. Wallace outlined aspects of the political process that have an impact on businesses and the Chamber and discussed his work on committees and caucuses.

Mayor Cam Jackson met with the Chamber's Political Action Committee and Board of Directors to discuss Burlington councils priorities and challenges. Mayor Jackson gave a brief presentation then opened the floor for questions. The Mayor explained that the city's major challenges include setting priorities for capital projects and dealing with growth issues.

After working with Chambers across the country to orchestrate a major win for business by defeating Bill C-257, the Burlington Chamber is now looking to help defeat Bill C-415 before it gets to vote. Bill C-415 proposes essentially the same ban on replacement workers for essential services as Bill C-257 did. For this reason, the Chamber has written to Liberal party leader Stéphane Dion urging him to ensure this Bill does not proceed to vote. Click here to read the Chamber letter. The Chamber position is supported by Mike Wallace, MP.

As part of the city's strategic planning process, Board Chair Rosalene Phillips made a presentation to Burlington Strategic Planning Team. The Chamber presentation focused on transportation, fine paper recycling, the Burlington McMaster campus, and development charges -- issues that we have heard about from our members. Click here to read the Chamber presentation. This presentation and other chamber policies and advocacy letters can be found in our Online Library.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce held its annual conference in London on May 4 to May 6. The Burlington Chamber was represented by Rosalene Phillips (Chair, Board of Directors), Janet Whitehouse (Vice Chair) and Keith Hoey (President). The function of the conference was two-fold. The first portion was an Annual General Meeting which saw the election of new directors of the OCC, approving the OCC's budget and approving a new auditor. The second portion of the conference was a plenary session where the general membership voted on 46 policy resolutions. In all, 39 resolutions were adopted (including two that were combined), two were defeated and four were tabled to the OCC board. Of particular interest to Burlington Chamber members was the Security of Electricity Supply Resolution submitted jointly by the Burlington Chamber and the Markham Board of Trade. The resolution was presented by Rosalene Phillips and, with some amendments, was adopted by the OCC general membership. This resolution is now official OCC policy. This means the OCC will lobby the provincial government to meet the recommendations of this resolution. Click here to see the final OCC policy resolution book. The Burlington Chamber resolution is on page 85.

On March 21 federal parliament voted against Bill C-257 (which proposed anti-replacement worker legislation). This is a major win for businesses in Canada and an excellent example of how being a member of the Chamber of Commerce can help your business. When plans for this new bill were announced, the Canadian Chamber mobilized local Chambers throughout the country. The Burlington Chamber contacted local MP Mike Wallace and solicited his support in defeating this Bill. This type of advocacy work is only possible because of the strength of each local Chamber and the channeling of that strength to the federal level. Your membership makes a difference.

The Burlington Chamber has always had a positive and proactive relationship with the City of Burlington. In order to ensure this relationship continues, the Chamber's Board of Directors had an informal meeting with City Council and senior staff. The purpose of the meeting was simply to meet the new City Council and give Board members and councilors a chance to get to know each other better.

At the 2006 Ontario Chamber of Commerce convention, the Burlington Chamber submitted a resolution on financing new highway construction through the use of government controlled tolls. The resolution was based on members' views as reflected in a member survey on transportation. At the convention the resolution was referred to the OCC Board. Since that time the Chamber's Political Action Committee has worked with the OCC's Transportation Committee to refine the wording of the resolution. In February the refined resolution was approved by the OCC Board of Directors making it official OCC policy. The OCC will now advocate with the government of Ontario to implement the resolution recommendations. Click here to read the approved resolution.

On February 7 the Burlington Chamber Political Action Committee hosted its first Business Forum of 2006 with Rob MacIsaac, the newly named Chair of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority. Mr. MacIsaac outlined the current status of establishing the GTTA and developing key strategies. Key is ensuring the GTTA, along with the Greenbelt and Places to Grow concepts, supports growth in the area. The highlight of the morning was the Q & A session, hosted by Vice-Chair Rosalene Phillips, where the audience asked Mr. MacIsaac questions about regional transportation.

With a Burlington by-election called for February 8, the Chamber hosted a By-Election Candidates Meeting. Board Chair John Doyle moderated the meeting which was in the format of a question and answer session. Candidates from the three major parties (Cory Judson - NDP, Joan Lougheed - Liberal, Joyce Savoline - Conservative) provided attendees with clear information about how they and their parties stand on a variety of issues. Topics ranged from the Niagara-GTA Transportation Corridor, the new Wal-Mart, Not-for-Profit support, sustainability to local traffic and minimum wage.

The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is concerned about Private Member's Bill C-257, An Act to Amend the Canada Labour Code (replacement workers). This bill is currently being studied by a House of Commons standing committee. It is the Burlington Chamber's opinion that any changes to the Canada Labour Code, especially an amendment that alters the relationship between employers and employees, deserves extensive study in order to fully understand the impacts on Canadian society and the economy. The Chamber has therefore written a letter to our member of parliament, Mike Wallace, urging him to defeat Bill C-257. Click here to read the Chamber letter. The Chamber subsequently received a letter from Mr. Wallace stating "I am in agreement with you regarding this Private Member's Bill and will be voting against it."