by admin | Dec 20, 2019 | Chamber News
(Toronto – December 19, 2019) – Yesterday, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released, Guiding Policy Principles for Tobacco and Vaping Products – the third and final report in a series on social responsibility also covering cannabis and beverage alcohol.
The newly-released report notes that rates of cigarette smoking are declining while vaping rates are rising. It raises questions surrounding the evolving tobacco and vaping landscape, and provides policymakers with a series of recommendations to address both issues well-known to government and emerging areas of concern.
“Transformations in product offerings and consumer habits have led to an environment where both regulation and cessation supports are increasingly out of date,” said Ashley Challinor, Vice President, Policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “As tobacco and vaping products evolve, it is imperative that federal and provincial government regulations, taxes, and cessation programs keep pace.”
The report grapples with the challenges raised by the growth in vaping, particularly among young people. With questions still unanswered about the long-term health effects of vaping, the report suggests that policy makers have to quickly catch up.
Guiding Policy Principles for Tobacco and Vaping Products makes 12 recommendations, including:
- Developing a research roadmap on vaping in partnership with relevant stakeholders, examining the short- and long-term health risks associated with prolonged vaping, the effects of second-hand aerosol, and vaping’s effectiveness as a smoking cessation device.
- Taking action on the persistent challenge of contraband tobacco in Ontario by conducting a feasibility study on Quebec’s approach to tackling contraband—where the province poured more resources into enforcement and saw positive results—to determine whether this approach could be replicated in this province.
- Monitoring smoking and vaping rates to identify those demographics most likely to smoke to ensure anti-smoking campaigns and cessation supports are up-to-date, relevant, and effective.
- Supporting employers in industries with high smoking rates (such as the trades, transportation and utilities) to introduce cessation supports in the workplace.
“Government will need to work with a range of stakeholders – including public health officials, industry, and First Nations communities – to safeguard public health, combat the contraband market, promote effective and targeted harm reduction strategies, and deter youth consumption,” added Challinor.
Read the OCC’s full report, Guiding Policy Principles for Tobacco and Vaping Products, here.
by admin | Dec 17, 2019 | Chamber News
Following an extensive consultation process with their membership, the OCC has released its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan: The Indispensable Partner of Business.
Introduction:
We are at a pivotal moment in the history of the chamber of commerce movement. Today’s chamber member doesn’t have the same needs as those of 20 years ago. The pace of change, fueled by technology and new ways of doing business, means that the OCC and our Chamber Network must adapt in order to deliver optimum value to our members.
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has served as the non-partisan, voice of business in the province. Together with 135 member chambers of commerce and boards of trade, we stand up for our 60,000 members and advocate for evidence-based public policies that contribute to a competitive economy and increased prosperity for our communities. The term “business” itself has evolved, reflecting a diverse ecosystem that includes post-secondary institutions and other not-for-profit groups that each play an important role in contributing to Ontario’s competitiveness. Without question, being the “voice of business” is important – but it is only the beginning of our value proposition as chambers. There is much more that we must do to unlock the full potential of the 21st-century chamber movement in Ontario.
Businesses need a partner that is always in their corner. A partner that helps them navigate through daily challenges and connects them to new business opportunities.
Read the Full Report:
by admin | Dec 12, 2019 | Chamber News
(Toronto, December 12, 2019) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the following statement in response to the passing of Bill 132, the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act.
“As the indispensable partner of business, we support the government’s efforts with Bill 132 to develop a modern regulatory environment that is flexible and easy to navigate, keeping Ontario an attractive place for businesses to invest, grow and create high-quality jobs.”
“Key measures supported by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in Bill 132 include:
- Reducing Red Tape for Drug Manufacturers and Pharmacies by digitizing and streamlining reporting requirements for drug manufacturers and pharmacists. These changes will help bring down administrative costs and help protect the competitiveness of Ontario’s health and life sciences sectors.
- Expanding Alcohol Access in International Airports by permitting licenced bars and restaurants in certain commercial airports located after airport security to serve alcohol to customers 24 hours a day. We are pleased to see the Government of Ontario move forward in joining other airports around the world.
- Improving the Regulatory Process for Ontario’s Mining Industry by requiring the government to acknowledge mine closure plan amendments within 45 days. This streamlined process will allow clients to merge mining claims and improve business certainty for proponents of the mining industry.
- Streamlining Approvals for Ontario’s Forestry Industry by amending the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994 to modernize the approvals process for cutting trees on Crown lands for non-forestry activities like electricity transmission lines and roads to far north communities.
“We look forward to continuing to work with government to improve and modernize Ontario’s regulatory environment.”
by admin | Nov 28, 2019 | Chamber News
We are truly saddened to hear news of the recent passing of
Barrie Haywood, an important member of our Burlington community.
He was a great supporter of BitNet during its lifetime and
the Burlington Chamber of Commerce for over 25 years. He was also actively
involved within the Burlington community, volunteering for local causes and initiatives.
Barrie had an impact on everyone he encountered: friends, family and strangers were all important to him.
On behalf of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, we would like to offer our sincere condolences to Barrie’s family and friends.
by admin | Nov 14, 2019 | Chamber News
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Lydia Jones, a pillar of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce community. She contributed to our city while leading the Burlington Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Director from 1980 to 1995 and continued to be active in the community after her retirement.
Last year, Lydia moved to Barrie to be close to her family and passed away shortly after her 92nd birthday.
Lydia was an important figure for women in leadership, coming from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in 1980, she was a quietly confident, trailblazer.
She built on past Chamber achievements, which included starting the Teen Tour Band in 1947, from a small town association into a much larger, very effective driving force for the community advocating on behalf of business, but with a strong community commitment. She also participated in the original twinning ceremony, first in Burlington and later in Itabashi Japan in January 1990. That trip resulted in many business people connecting with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce for the next several years.
On behalf of the Burlington Chamber, we
offer our deepest condolences to Lydia’s family and friends. Lydia will be
greatly missed by the Burlington community.
