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, March 22, 2011-The economic measures announced in today’s budget will continue to support the economic recovery and help Canadian businesses prosper and compete.

“We are pleased that this budget does not plan for any tax increases,” said Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Perrin Beatty. “The Canadian Chamber and its network have been very active in the corporate income tax debate over the last few months and our message has been heard. Canada’s low tax plan has created a healthy economic environment for business investment and we applaud the government for staying the course.”

While Canada’s economic performance has been better than expected, the global outlook remains uncertain and a number of economic risks that could impede the recovery still persist. This fragile situation clearly points to the need for responsible fiscal management.

The Hon. Perrin Beatty, Atlanta, Georgia.

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Ottawa, February 17, 2011-Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with all the provincial and territorial chambers across the country, is launching a national campaign calling on all federal parliamentarians to keep their promise of reducing business taxes.

In a message to over 420 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 192,000 businesses of all sizes across Canada, Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce stated: “Our political leaders have to live up to the promises they have made. Businesses across the country have invested with the understanding that taxes would decline. A sudden change of course would constitute a broken promise to thousands of businesses and the people they employ.”

With government stimulus programs ending this year, the tax reductions are especially important as they will free up capital to be put to work to grow Canada’s businesses and its economy. This strategy has been supported by a majority of parliamentarians in two federal budgets since its inception in 2007.

On February 4, 2011 President Obama and Prime Minister Harper made a joint declaration to establish a new long-term partnership between Canada and the U.S. This partnership will strengthen the economic and physical security of both countries and facilitated the flow of legitimate people and goods across the border.

The issue

Improving the efficiency of the border
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has called upon the Canadian and U.S. governments to improve the efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border. Since 9/11, the costs of doing business across the border have grown thanks to the growing layers of regulations, infrastructure constraints, regulatory complexity and uncertain wait times.

Reducing non-tariff barriers to trade
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has advocated for regulatory alignment between Canada and the U.S., indicating that greater regulatory cooperation would foster economic growth, improve the competiveness of both economies and fuel job creation. 

Ottawa, February 4, 2011-Today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama unveiled a new vision for the Canada-U.S. border and a new direction for the bilateral trading relationship. The announcement is applauded as a step in the right direction by the business community on both sides of the border.

At a time when the global economy is undergoing significant shifts, it is imperative that both countries recognize the advantages of the integrated North American market by reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers and improving the efficiency of the border. Canada needs to develop a dedicated strategy for engagement in the U.S. that focuses on highlighting the gains from the bilateral arrangement and promoting free trade. It is for this reason that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcome’s the creation of the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). This council, which will comprise senior regulatory, trade, and foreign affairs officials from both sides of the border will be tasked with created jobs and stimulating economic growth though increased regulatory coordination.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Perrin Beatty, welcomed today’s announcement as a positive step in the right direction: “We have to give full marks to the two leaders for making such an ambitious gesture. The challenge now is to turn the vision into reality. Since 9/11, there have been dramatic increases in security measures at the border-costly measures that have resulted in greater numbers of fees and inspections for those who use the border the most. When coupled with growing layers of regulations, increasing regulatory complexity, infrastructure constraints and uncertain wait times it is not surprising that the business community has been calling for a more trade-friendly border.