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, November 8 - Statement by the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in reaction to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“The Finance Minister reported today on the state of the Canadian economy. Few Canadians will be surprised that the federal government is now anticipating that the books could be balanced two years later than expected. Having just returned from the B20 in Cannes, I can attest that we are seeing an economic slowdown throughout the world. However, we are still anticipating positive growth in Canada. We are looking at a slowdown but not at a recession.

Cannes, France, November 2 - Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is heading the Canadian delegation to the G20 Business Summit (B20) in Cannes, France between November 2 and November 4.

The Cannes summit represents a critical time in the work of G20 leaders to take urgent and decisive action to rein in debt, restore business confidence and refocus attention on their policy commitment to deliver strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Failure to do so risks plunging the world back into financial crisis and global recession.

Perrin Beatty stated: “We cannot afford any more missed opportunities. Yes, some actions have been taken, but we need to do more. Leaders need a clear collective plan to work together to take necessary measures to prevent default of payment, to rein in debt, restore business confidence.”

Speaking notes for Tina Kremmidas, Chief Economist, as presented to the House of Commons, Standing Committee on Finance on Oct. 31, 2011 in Toronto.

Click here to download speech.

On October 7, 2011 in Regina, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, Gerry Ritz, announced the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) monopoly on the sale of wheat and barley. For the first time since World War II, Western farmers will be legally permitted to sell their wheat and barley to any buyer they choose. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in calling upon the federal government to allow farmers to sell their products openly, including by ending the CWB monopoly.

Statement by the Canadian Chamber on the U.S. FMC decision to proceed with an investigation of Canadian Ports

Ottawa, October 5 - Today, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), a U.S. agency that regulates ocean bound shipping decided to start the process of launching an investigation into the “diversion” of U.S. cargo through Canadian ports.