The dominant current provincial issue for Ontario business is the proposed Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. My column on Dec. 16 of last year discussed Bill 56, the legislation tabled by Assoc. Finance Minister Mitzi Hunter. Opposition from business has been growing, primarily in relation to the potential cost of a pension plan and its impact […]
Read moreFor Immediate Release February 25, 2015 Press Release Survey Reveals Optimistic Outlook for Waterloo Region Businesses Kitchener, ON – In a recent survey, a majority of Chamber members felt that 2014 was a positive year for their business. There was also an overwhelmingly positive outlook for business growth for 2015. As 2015 begins with lower […]
Read moreMEDIA RELEASE Chambers and Board of Trade Support GO Rail Service Expansion Kitchener, ON – The Chambers of Commerce of Guelph and Greater Kitchener Waterloo and the Brampton Board of Trade strongly support two-way, all-day GO rail service between Waterloo Region and Union Station. A report released in 2014 by the cities of Guelph, Kitchener […]
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As the Liberal cabinet positions itself at Queen’s Park following a June 2014 election, one factor should be paramount – the province requires a new economic strategy and approach to business if we have any remote thoughts of returning to the era of John Robarts, Bill Davis and the rest of Canada disliking Ontario because […]
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In the early days of 2015, the Canadian business agenda has been dominated by falling oil prices and a drop in the Canadian dollar. The political discussion is now focused on whether these trends are positive or negative, and for which regions of Canada. Overall, the drop in oil prices is expected to dramatically shift […]
Read moreAre you doing business in South Korea? Do you want to do business in South Korean? Then be part of a trade mission there in 2015. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Canada is organizing a trade mission to Seoul and Busan, South Korea from February 9-13, 2015. The Canadian government will lead […]
Read moreLast week, legislation was tabled at Queen’s Park that is the first major step in creating a public pension system for Ontario. For the Ontario business sector, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a series of issues need to be addressed before this legislative initiative proceeds. If passed, Bill 56 will require Ontario employers to […]
Read moreOver the past 6 months Canada has seen two very important changes in its national economy that will impact business here at home in Waterloo Region. The first is that the Loonie has fallen to roughly $0.88 to the U.S. Dollar, and the second is that commodity prices—specifically crude oil—have fallen dramatically. Falling Loonie We […]
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Ian McLean President & CEO Greater KW Chamber of Commerce After a vigorous municipal election campaign across Waterloo Region, the votes have been cast, counted, and the people have spoken. On behalf of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce I wish to personally congratulated Berry Vrbanovic, Dave Jaworsky, and Sandy Shantz the new mayors of […]
Read moreIan McLean President & CEO Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Over the past month the Chamber has hosted Candidate Forums for the Kitchener, Waterloo, and Woolwich Township mayoral elections as well as Candidate Forums for the candidates running for Regional Chair and Regional Council for Kitchener and Waterloo. In the lead up to the municipal […]
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