Chamber Updates & Local News

New pilot program will increase consumer choice and support provincial grid The Ontario government is launching a new pilot program to explore dynamic electricity pricing and its ability to lower electricity bills for small and medium-sized businesses including retail stores, commercial offices and farms. This new program builds on the government’s commitment to give consumers…

the Tourism Industry of Ontario (TIAO) and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the inaugural State of the Ontario Tourism Industry Report, a blueprint for the growth and recovery of the sector. the Tourism Industry of Ontario (TIAO) and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the inaugural State of the Ontario Tourism Industry…

Kingston is full of amazing locally owned and operated businesses. Their passion and hard work help make Kingston the amazing place it is. When you buy local, you support these businesses, and support local jobs. The holidays are mere days away and with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday now in the rear-view mirror, you’re…

Misconceptions about disabled workers are causing companies to miss out on fantastic talent The employment rate among Canadian working-age adults with a disability is 49 per cent compared to 79 per cent for those without a disability. In the United States, the numbers are even worse. Read the full article.

Ontario’s Fall 2022 Red Tape Reduction Package includes 28 initiatives that would help develop a strong, secure food supply chain from farm to fork, support Ontario’s farmers, food processors and agri-businesses, and attract and grow a strong labour force so Ontario can continue to be competitive in a global market The Less Red Tape, Stronger…

The 2022 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review includes the government’s first-ever progress report on its plan to build Ontario, as well as new targeted measures that advance its plan to build the economy, address the province’s labour shortage and help families and businesses keep costs down. On November 14, 2022, the Government of Ontario…

Tourism has been one of the hardest hit sectors in Ontario and continues to struggle to rebuild and recover. It has been impacted by border closures, capacity restrictions, and lockdowns. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) have worked together on the State of the Ontario Tourism Industry Report, which…

The plan puts in place actions to support the development of “gentle density” – housing like triplexes or garden suites – that bridge the gap between single family homes and high-rise apartments. For example, it would remove exclusionary zoning, which allows for only one single detached home per lot. Instead, it would allow property owners…

The Ontario government is working for workers by launching career fairs this fall to prepare the next generation of young people for rewarding and well-paying jobs in the skilled trades. These fairs address labour shortages in high-demand sectors and help deliver the province’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031. “Ontario is…

Employers are facing unprecedented challenges in finding and retaining the workers they need during this period of economic recovery and growth. The Government of Canada is continuing to take concrete actions to address current labour needs. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the temporary lifting of the 20-hour-per-week cap…