All media requests should be directed to Émilie Potvin, Director, Public Affairs, epotvin@chamber.ca, (613) 238-4000 ext. 231 or (613) 797-1860.

Ottawa, May 2, 2012— In a report issued today, Responsible business conduct in a complex world, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce describes how the government should oversee the international conduct of Canadian companies and how companies themselves can improve their performance.

“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.”

Ottawa, April 26, 2011— In a report issued today: Canada’s Rare Earth Deposits Can Offer A Substantial Competitive Advantage, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce sheds light on the opportunity for Canada to start punching above its weight in leveraging what is often referred to as the “oil of the 21st century.”

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.

By Perrin Beatty and Jürgen R. Thumman, THE OTTAWA CITIZEN

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The 2012 federal budget presents a plan for long-term economic growth that builds on Canada’s economic fiscal advantages. The five themes laid by the government—innovation, investment, education, skills and communities—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.

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

Ottawa, March 29, 2012—Today’s budget presents a plan for economic growth that builds on Canada’s economic and fiscal advantages. The measures announced will help Canadian businesses prosper and compete.

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.