The 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) was conducted in Ottawa from April 23-25. Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, government officials and business leaders from across the province assembled to discuss current and emerging issues impacting small and large enterprises.
The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, championed two policy resolutions addressing priority workforce challenges affecting both local employers and the broader provincial economy.
The resolution focused on attracting and retaining more women in Ontario’s skilled trades sector to help address ongoing labour shortages across construction, infrastructure, and other in-demand industries.
With hundreds of thousands of skilled trades workers expected to retire in the coming years, the resolution highlights the need to expand pathways for women entering the trades while addressing barriers related to workplace culture, childcare accessibility, retention, and job site supports.
The resolution calls on the province to continue strengthening programs that encourage young women to pursue skilled trades careers, improve workplace supports and training, and work with industry partners to create more inclusive and accessible opportunities across the sector. Supporting greater participation of women in skilled trades will help strengthen Ontario’s workforce pipeline and support long-term economic growth across the province.
The resolution focused on helping address Ontario’s ongoing labour shortages by improving pathways to employment for individuals accessing Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), while also reducing training-related costs for employers.
As workforce shortages continue across sectors including skilled trades, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology, the resolution highlights the opportunity to better connect skilled and educated OW and ODSP recipients with employment opportunities through clearer guidance, improved access to support programs, and reduced barriers tied to benefit clawbacks.
The resolution also calls on the province to explore cost recovery supports for employers required to provide provincially mandated workplace training, including WHMIS and Occupational Health and Safety Act training, along with associated onboarding costs such as equipment and uniforms.
Strengthening workforce participation and supporting employers with training costs will help expand Ontario’s labour pool while creating greater opportunities for businesses and workers across the province.
What it Means / What Comes Next?
Both resolutions were adopted by the OCC and will now become part of their policy compendium, helping shape advocacy efforts with the Ontario government in the year ahead. Together, these resolutions focus on strengthening Ontario’s workforce by addressing labour shortages, expanding opportunities within the skilled trades, and reducing barriers that prevent individuals and employers from fully participating in the economy.
The Greater KW Chamber will continue advocating for policies that support workforce development, economic growth, and long-term business competitiveness across Waterloo Region and Ontario. As updates on these resolutions and related advocacy efforts become available, we will continue sharing them with our members.
