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.

2008 ADVOCACY WORK

CHAMBER DELEGATION AT CITY COUNCIL

With a vote on a McMaster campus in Burlington on the agenda at the October 20 city council meeting, the Chamber appeared as a delegation (along with Team Burlington partners BEDC and Tourism) in support of the project. Board Chair Janet Whitehouse cited the positive economic impacts (as outlined in the consultant's study) along with the benefits of the proposed downtown family health unit and affiliated teaching facility at JBMH as key reasons that city council should ensure the campus comes to Burlington. Council voted unanimously to proceed with the next steps of project. Click here to read the chamber delegation.

CHAMBER HOSTS FEDERAL ALL CANDIDATES MEETING

On October 1, the Chamber hosted an All Candidates Meeting. The event featured all registered candidates for the Burlington riding in the upcoming federal election. Questions from the floor covered a wide variety of topics including health care, fiscal fairness, environment, transportation, economy and foreign aid. The meeting was in the format of a question and answer session moderated by Board Chair Janet Whitehouse. This event was proudly sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn.

CHAMBER SURVEYS MEMBERS ON ELECTION ISSUES

With a federal election on the horizon, the Chamber surveyed its members to find out what issues should be the top priority for local candidates. Health care topped the list. Click here for the full survey results.

CHAMBER CHAIR MEETS WITH MIKE WALLACE MP

Burlington Chamber Chair, Janet Whitehouse, along with President, Keith Hoey, met with Burlington Member of Parliament Mike Wallace to discuss issues pertinent to Burlington businesses. Among the issues discussed were Chamber support of Bill C-61, questions about Bill C-51 and transportation issues in Burlington and Halton. Mike Wallace agreed to be a guest speaker at the Chamber's Political Action Committee meeting in September to discuss local, regional and national transportation issues.

DEVELOPMENT CHARGES POLICY

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.