The issue

Our members cite Canada’s reliance upon the United States for trade as one of the greatest barriers to their future prosperity. We called on the federal government to tackle this barrier, as well as nine others that make up our list of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We urged the government to diversify its trade relationships and develop strategies to expand Canada’s access to new markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and South America. The government responded by laying out a plan of action in its 2013 budget.

The issue

Our members cite skill shortages as the greatest barrier to their future prosperity. We called on the federal government to tackle this barrier, as well as nine others that make up our list of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We urged the government to work with business to upgrade the skills of the existing labour force, match the skills acquired by Canadians with the skills needed by employers and better employ underutilized segments of the population, such as Aboriginal peoples, youth, the disabled and recent immigrants. We also pressed the government to ensure its immigration policy is aligned with local labour markets and employers’ needs. The government responded by laying out a plan of action in its 2013 budget.

The issue

Our members cite Canada’s aging public infrastructure as one of the greatest barriers to their future prosperity. We called on the federal government to tackle this barrier, as well as nine others that make up our list of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We urged the government to initiate a national infrastructure investment plan that includes new funding models, increased private-sector involvement, and takes into account the wide range of challenges and opportunities in communities across Canada. The government responded by laying out a plan of action in its 2013 budget.

On Feb. 4, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper made a joint declaration to improve border efficiency and regulatory cooperation. On Dec. 7, 2011, they released the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which outlined the approach by which both countries would work together to strengthen the economic and physical security of both countries and facilitate the flow of legitimate people and goods across the border. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a vocal advocate of greater regulatory cooperation and border efficiency with the United States.

The issue

Variations in policies are a problem for companies that do business on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. The previous Canadian threshold for high-value shipments was set at CND$1,600 compared to the U.S. limit of USD$2,000.

On June 28, 2012, Conservation MP Dan Albas’ private members bill C-311 received royal assent, allowing the interprovincial/interterritorial importation of wine for personal use.

Making it legal for Canadians to buy and move Canadian wines across provincial/territorial borders

The issue

A remnant of the prohibition era, the 1928 federal Importations of Intoxicating Liquors Act made it a criminal offense for Canadians to buy or transport Canadian wine across provincial/territorial borders.

Dan Albas, a Conservative MP from B.C., introduced Bill C-311, An Act to Amend the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act, to make it legal for Canadians to buy and transport Canadian wine across provincial/territorial borders within the limits and regulations set by each province or territory.