Ontario Chamber of Commerce 97th AGM

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce just completed its AGM following an exeptionally busy 97th year. Policy committees worked on issues to help with a competitive tax and regulatory regime for Ontario business, including work on both the provincial and federal budgets, and creating an "Open for Business" culture.  Modernizing our energy and infrastructure was debated, with policy resolutions going forward to government.  Other resolutions were discussed relating to developing our skilled workforce, addressing physician shortages, and competing across Canada and around the world.  The Guelph Chamber of Commerce tabled a resolution from our Advocacy Committee encouraging the provincial government to adopt an agressive stance in promoting water conservation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce infrastructure spending, and to protect our water resources.  Overall, 18 new policy resolutions were passed, bringing our total number of active policy resolutions at the Ontario Chamber to 135.  These can be found at http://occ.on.ca/Policy/Resolutions/. In attendance and presenting were Tim Hudak, finance critic of the Conservative Party of Ontario; The Hon. Tony Clement, from the federal Ministry of Industry; The Hon. George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; as well as 60 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade from across the province.  The Guelph Chamber of Commerce is a founding member of both the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.