Canada’s Skills Crisis: What We Heard

Barrier I: Resolving Canada's Skills Crisis

Last year, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce lead a nation-wide consultation of the network to find out what was the most pressing issue affecting Canada’s competitiveness. You told us that, as Canada confronts real and growing competition throughout the world, a key factor in our ability to win is the human resources supporting our business enterprises.

Between March and June 2012, we held our largest-ever consultation with our membership on a single issue. We organized 13 roundtables and participated in another five with corporate members and local chambers across the country. We mobilized our network to lead the conversation, asking for their best practices, and polling their opinions via eight online surveys.

Thank you to all the participants and chambers who shared their insights and advice with us in a real-time experience. Very few organizations could match the scope of the Canadian Chamber; our exercise may be unique in that respect.

Our findings from this initial phase are summarized in the report that I encourage you to review.

I thank you for your contribution and continued support. I look forward to working with all of you and our various stakeholders in the year ahead as we engage with governments and show business leadership in addressing this critical issue for Canada’s future.