Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Below is a brief statement regarding the announcement earlier today on the government’s Red Tape Reduction Commission.

Statement by the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on the announcement of the creation of the Red Tape Reduction Commission:

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes the federal government's official announcement today of a Red Tape Reduction Commission to identify regulatory hurdles and recommend ways to reduce the compliance burden for businesses.

“This is a much-needed initiative that will lessen the burden of federal regulatory requirements on all our members, especially the small and medium-sized companies that represent more than 97% of all Canadian businesses,” said Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He added: “Reducing paperwork and costs for businesses will increase their efficiency and competitiveness. The government must continue to promote sustainable, long term economic growth by eliminating long-standing structural impediments, like overlapping regulations, that hinder businesses’ ability to operate efficiently.”

Finally, Mr. Beatty highlighted: “We are particularly pleased to see that Gord Peters, President of Cando Contracting, Ltd. and former member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has been selected as a member of the Commission. His appointment comes as great news for Canadian businesses, especially SMEs.”

Provincial Pre-Budget Meeting

The Minister of Finance hosted a public pre-budget meeting on Monday, January 17, 2011 at the Lily Lake Pavilion. The Saint John Board of Trade participated as a stakeholder in the session. In preparation for the meeting the Board of Trade made a submission outlining its recommendations to Minister Higgs. Click here to view the submission.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook 2011

On December 27, 2010 the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released their Economic Outlook for 2011. In the report, they observe that the Canadian economy has transitioned into a period of subdued growth and examine a number of the factors that are expected to constrain economic growth in 2011.

Saint John Board of Trade partnering with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce to invite the public to influence conversation with Premier Alward

The Saint John Board of Trade is partnering with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce to help increase awareness of the opportunity for the public to influence the conversation with Premier Alward in the State of the Province Address. For the first time in the event’s 38-year history, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the Province Address will feature a unique interview segment using questions submitted from across the province.

“We think this is a great opportunity for the citizens and businesses of the province to have their questions asked directly to the Premier during a televised event” said Imelda Gilman, President of the Saint John Board of Trade. “We’re really excited to be working with the Fredericton Chamber and other Chambers across the province on this initiative!”

“We’re really excited about this year’s new format” said Susan Holt, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. “In partnership with our friends at the Saint John Board of Trade, the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, and the Chambre de Commerce du Grand Bathurst/Greater Bathurst Chamber of Commerce, we’re connecting with businesses across New Brunswick to bring their questions forward, making this year’s State of the Province Address a truly provincial event. Engaging residents and our business community via Twitter, Facebook, and the Chamber website, we’re inviting all New Brunswickers to influence our conversation with the Premier.”

The Fredericton Chamber has already begun collecting suggested questions for the Premier and ishighlighting these questions on its website. To see which issues are generating the most interest, and/or to submit a question, visit www.frederictonchamber.ca. Questions will be accepted until January 23rd. Information on submitting a question can also be found on the Board News Section of the Saint John Board of Trade’s website.

Your Questions for the Premier

If you could ask Premier David Alward any question you like, what would you ask?

The Saint John Board of Trade is working with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce to give you the chance to influence the conversation with Premier Alward at the Fredericton Chamber’s State of the Province event on January 27th, 2011. For the next 3 weeks, the Fredericton Chamber will be collecting questions from our respective members, as well as the broader Chamber network.

Click here to learn more and submit your questions.