“For most Canadian businesses, responsible business conduct has moved from doing ‘good’ to doing ‘right.’ It’s not about philanthropy anymore - it’s at the core of their operations.” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “During recent debates about government oversight of Canadian companies’ international conduct, business explained what it did not want but still needed to set out its own vision,” he added. “Responsible business conduct in a complex world makes it clear that companies are not satisfied with the status quo and want change.”

Rare earth elements are a series of 17 chemically similar metals that have unique chemical, magnetic and fluorescent properties. They are found in hybrid and electric cars, fluorescent lights, plasma screens, portable computers, hand-held electronic devices, wind power generators and optical and medical devices. Several rare earth elements are essential constituents of automotive pollution control catalytic converters and petroleum fluid cracking catalysts. They have a wide variety of defence applications, some of which are critical to countries’ national security and are used in precision guided munitions (missiles and smart bombs), lasers, satellite communications, jet fighter engines and radar systems.

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The Canadian Chamber urged the government to focus on where Canada needs to be five or 10 years from now, even if it means taking tough decisions now. The government has acted on many of the key elements of the Canadian Chamber’s Top 10 program for restoring Canada’s competitiveness.

The Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness: What Did the Budget Deliver?

Addressing Canada’s skills crisis
Returning Canadians to work
Improving the tax system
Making regulations work
Attracting international investment
Stimulating research and development and bringing it to market
Using technology to make Canada competitive
Providing the financing businesses need to grow
Building 21st century infrastructure

The five themes laid by the government—support for innovation and research; overhauling regulation for resource development; investing in training and opportunity; support for families and communities; and ensuring the long-term sustainability of major social programs—include a number of measures from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s 10-point national plan to regain Canada’s competitive edge in the global economy.

“Canada and Japan have largely complementary economies. Greater effective market access through an Economic Partnership Agreement could yield economic gains for both countries,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He added: “This visit and this announcement highlight the strong relations between our two countries. They demonstrate Canada’s re-engagement in Asia, and that is great news for the Canadian business community.”

The review will explore how government, industry and other key stakeholders can address the key issues facing the aerospace and space sectors, such as innovation, market access and development, skills development, procurement, and supplier development.

The New York office will increase ICC’s North American presence and make the services of the Court’s Secretariat directly available to parties, their counsel and arbitrators in North America.

Ottawa, February 8, 2012 - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce announced today that it has launched a 10-point national plan aimed at helping Canada regain its competitive edge in the global economy.

After extensive research and consultation with business leaders and member chambers of commerce across the country over the past year, the Canadian Chamber has singled out the top 10 barriers holding Canadian business back and diminishing Canada’s ability to compete.