Atlantic Chamber Releases 2022 Policy Priorities for Rebuilding

Atlantic Canadian Businesses Highlight Top Priorities for Governments to Lay Groundwork for Future Prosperity

 
Windsor, NS (March 9, 2022) – The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) today released its 2022 Policy Priorities for Rebuilding that outline the most pressing issues identified by its network of more than 16,000 business in Atlantic Canada, including: pandemic recovery, qualified worker access, support for SMEs and tax reform. The policy priorities form ACC’s annual policy agenda for its advocacy work with governments in 2022, which clearly recognizes the difficult road businesses have travelled the past two years and provide guidance for creating a positive business environment through policies that encourage investment, recovery, and growth.

“Governments have supported businesses throughout the pandemic and while support is still needed, it is also time to begin creating conditions that see the private sector rebuild and flourish,” said Sheri Somerville, CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. “The priorities identified by our members are reflective of an economy and communities prepared to roll up their sleeves and begin the hard work ahead, but we need a long term plan and policies from governments that lay the groundwork for economic growth.”
ACC’s 2022 Policy Priorities for Rebuilding identify key pain points for business in the region that have potential to greatly impact profitability and sustainability. ACC’s recommendations to governments to support business, include:

1. Pandemic Recovery - Businesses are still facing the realities of the pandemic impacts. Pandemic Recovery has been identified as the most pressing issue for the second year in a row. Government must streamline services, provide targeted support, and create a positive environment for business to succeed as we emerge from the pandemic impacts.
2. Qualified Workers Access - Business continues to be unable to find workers and are recommending a multi-faceted approach to increasing the size and qualifications of the local available workforce. Government must focus on programs to increase experiential learning, accelerate immigration, recognize foreign credentials, simplify seasonal worker programs, enhance settlement services, and improve retention strategies.
3. Support for SMEs - Lockdowns have restricted economic activity and, in some cases, have burdened businesses disproportionately with complexity of programs. Government must focus on providing simple, efficient, and effective programs to support SMEs during the recovery stage of the pandemic.
4. Tax Reform - With some of the highest income and payroll taxation rates, the burden of compliance is a huge drain on business. While there have been many tweaks to the tax system, there has not been a formal review since the 1960’s. Government must commit to a formal, review of all forms of taxation, to simplify compliance, promote equity, set globally competitive tax rates and create a modern tax system for the reality of 2022.

Developed in consultation with business and Chambers of Commerce throughout Atlantic Canada, the 2022 Policy Priorities for Rebuilding will be the focus of ACCs advocacy efforts for the year, as it engages and works with government officials to create a positive and competitive business environment.
To see the full details of the 2022 Policy Priorities for Rebuilding, visit: atlanticchamber.ca/policy-pillars.
   
About the Atlantic Chamber – The Voice of Atlantic Canadian Business
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is the largest accredited business organization of influence in Atlantic Canada representing more than 16,000 businesses and their 300,000 employees through its network of 90 Chambers of Commerce in the four Atlantic Provinces. For more than 125 years, ACC has served as the voice of Atlantic Canadian business and actively partners with its members and other organizations to help create a strong, vibrant, and growing Atlantic Canada.
 
For more information:
Patti Colson
Manager, Communications & PR
patti@atlanticchamber.ca