It seems like it was just yesterday when it was September.
Time certainly does have a way of creeping up on you and then slipping right by.
So here’s what we’ve been up to since I last wrote:
Last month, we attended the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in Hamilton.
The conference featured noteworthy speakers on competitiveness, the economic and political outlook, marketing and prosperity, as well as an address by Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney.
The highlight of the conference for delegates is the day-long policy session when the 62 resolutions submitted by community chambers across the country and the policy committees of the CCC were debated.
This process is often referred to as the parliament of business – a democratic process where policy positions are openly debated, sometimes amended, and voted upon. Those that are approved become the official position of the Canadian chamber, which incorporates them into their platform and presents them to government.
I am pleased to report that Sudbury’s resolution entitled, “Citizenship and Immigration Canada Regional Settlement”, was approved by the delegates and will now go forward to the government. We’ll keep you posted on how it fairs.
Attendance at these conventions and our work on policy resolutions are necessary steps in our continuing achievement as an accredited with distinction chamber. You can be proud of the profile your chamber has at these meetings and of the respect by which we are viewed by our colleagues from coast to coast to coast.
The Advocacy Agenda
Also in September, our Business Advocacy Survey was distributed to chamber members.
The annual e-survey identified Deregulation, Bylaws, WSIB, Red Tape, the College of Trades, Skills and our community’s image as the chief areas of concern.
To address these issues, we have struck task forces for each and are calling on members with expertise and interest in any of them to contact us to participate. The task forces will hold their first meetings next month.
Collaboration and the Network
Way back in May you’ll remember that we convened a roundtable to discuss the issues that were working to create and sustain a skills trade workforce shortage.
Well, since that time, we have been working alongside our provincial and federal chamber colleagues to develop actions. In moving forward with the provincial and national chambers, you can be sure we will pay particular attention to four areas:
-Upskilling — Upgrade the skills of the existing labour force and better employ under-utilized groups.
-Immigration — Ensure immigration policy is aligned with local labour markets and employers’ needs.
-Education — Improve the connections between educators and employers to balance supply with demand for skilled trades and highly skilled occupations.
-Aboriginal peoples — Focus on education and workforce development.
In the coming months we will lay out a range of actions that we hope can improve the challenges associated with these.
Until next time, all the best.
Debbi Nicholson is the president and CEO of the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
