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.