Earlier this month, a delegation from the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce joined over 50 chambers from across the province for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's 10th Annual Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. Representing Kingston were Chamber Chair Kent Williams, Past Chair Sunita Gupta, and CEO Karen Cross, forming a powerful delegation to voice the priorities of Kingston’s business community.
The day began with a reception at Queen’s Park, where attendees heard from Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and opposition leaders just days ahead of the Ontario budget. It was an opportunity to hear firsthand about the provincial government's direction and engage in meaningful conversations on the issues that matter most to businesses.
Panels throughout the day at the MaRS Discovery District touched on critical topics including housing, post-secondary education, mental health, and workforce development. These are areas deeply connected to Kingston’s ongoing economic challenges and opportunities. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions to foster a resilient and future-ready workforce.
In particular, post-secondary institutions expressed a strong desire to align programming with current labor market needs—a timely reminder of the value in strengthening our local partnerships with St. Lawrence College and Queen’s University.
Chamber CEO Karen Cross emphasized the importance of the event, stating:
“Advocacy is one of the core pillars of the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce. We are constantly working on behalf of our members to engage with all three levels of government—municipal, provincial, and federal—on the issues that matter most to our business community. Whether it’s through events like Advocacy Day or ongoing discussions with policymakers, our goal is to ensure that Kingston’s business voice is heard, represented, and reflected in public policy.”
The Chamber remains deeply committed to advocating for its members and the entire Kingston business community—not only on these key issues but on all matters relevant to the region’s economic success.