Atlantic Chamber Releases 2020 Policy Pillars for Growth

Atlantic Businesses Highlight Their Top Government Priorities for 2020

 
Windsor, NS (March 3, 2020) – As the only accredited business organization in Atlantic Canada and the unified voice of more than 16,000 business owners through its network of 94 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) today released its four Pillars for Growth government policy recommendations. The ACC intends to highlight these opportunities to all Atlantic governments and work with provincial officials to advance economic growth priorities that translate into prosperous communities and provinces.

ACC’s 2020 Pillars are founded on the principle that growth is the minimum necessary requirement for a sustainable economy, but expand with recommendations to achieve positive outcomes for employers, government and all Atlantic Canadians. As the private sector and particularly small businesses provide more than 75% of jobs in the region, their concerns should be of interest to our political leaders.

“In December we asked our members what are the key issues that limit their success and over the past several years we are seeing consistent emerging themes,” said Sheri Somerville, CEO of the Atlantic Chamber. “It is not surprising the responses that continue to inform our policy pillars are all focussed on how we create conditions for economic growth. Since the private sector creates the bulk of employment, its highly relevant for government to consider and address these priorities in its efforts to fuel economic activity and growth.”

The ACC 2020 Pillars for Growth are:

1. Access to Qualified Workers
2. Comprehensive Review of Taxes
3. Reduce the Cost of Government
4. Increase Economic Development

More than previous years, Atlantic Chamber’s 2020 Policy Pillars highlight the inability to hire qualified employees. Citing Access to Qualified Workers as the number one priority for our region, businesses are recommending a multi-faceted approach to increasing the size and qualifications of the local workforce by focussing on students acquiring more workplace experience, education programs that provide needed workplace skills, and making permanent and temporary immigration programs work more efficiently.

With many of the highest rates of income and payroll taxation, Atlantic businesses identified taxation as the second most pressing problem. However, the focus of their interest is for both federal and provincial governments to commit to a comprehensive review of the tax system. There have been many tweaks made to the system since it was last reviewed by the Carter Commission in the 1960s. The recent attempt to change small corporation regulation and the obvious complexity of compliance are proof Canada needs an in-depth review of the entire system to improve our standing of 41^st in the world for complexity and time to comply.

Creating a competitive environment that promotes business growth requires that government do the utmost to manage costs which are passed along to individual and corporate taxpayers. Chamber members are concerned the current allocation of services and the cost of regulatory compliance and unreliable approval processes are stifling growth. A renewed effort is needed to reduce the operating costs of government and resources diverted from productive activities to comply with government regulations.

Guiding government efforts to stimulate the economy must include recognition that one approach will not help all communities. Each province needs to develop and implement strategic economic development programs at a local level, to recognize inherent capacities and limitations and to develop growth-oriented programs leading to sustainable communities.

“The members of ACC represent a diverse community of forward-looking business leaders and citizens,” said Jean-Marc Picard, Chair of the ACC Board. “The objective in communicating our 2020 Policy Pillars for

Growth to government is to influence an environment toward global competitiveness, stimulating investment and economic expansion. We must be focus on these priorities to create a solid foundation for business attraction and growth in Atlantic Canada.”

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce intends to work with its member chambers across Atlantic Canada to engage elected and government officials in productive dialogue and collaboration in pursuit of improving our economic trajectory and charting a path for growth.

To see the full pillar details, visit: https://www.atlanticchamber.ca/policy-pillars

About the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
As the strong, credible and unified voice that influences an environment where business in Atlantic Canada succeeds, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) represents more than 16,000 businesses through its network of 93 chambers of commerce and boards of trade in the four Atlantic provinces. ACC is a catalyst to influence, educate and advocate on policy related issues to support business, deliver high-value services and opportunities to our members, and to support and promote initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic growth in the region.

For more information:
Patti Colson
patti@atlanticchamber.ca
(902) 694-2210