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 25, 2012 — The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes the announcement by the Government of a Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

“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.”

New York State has recently backed away from its plan to unilaterally impose stringent ballast water standards for ships transiting New York waters. These rules would have required ships to treat their ballast water to a degree 100 times greater than current International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards. Furthermore, any vessels built after January 1, 2012 would have needed the ability to treat their ballast water to a level 1,000 times greater than IMO standards.

Ottawa, February 27, 2012 - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed today’s announcement by Industry Minister, the Hon. Christian Paradis, of a Review of all Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies in Canada.

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.

Ottawa, February 21, 2012 - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is opening an office in New York City.

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.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce outlines approach to sharpen Canada’s competitive edge

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.