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The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce actively monitors emerging issues that impact businesses across Atlantic Canada. It advocates on behalf of the business community, providing insights and recommendations to support the development of effective public policies. Below are ACC’s recent submissions:Friday, September 11, 2026
Letter to The Honourable Mélanie Joly, MP Re: Strengthening Support for Businesses Affected by Trade Disruption
On behalf of Canada’s provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, we are writing regarding the significant and growing economic impacts of ongoing Canada-U.S. trade disruption on businesses, workers, and communities across the country. Together, our organizations represent 600 local chambers of commerce and 200,000 businesses in every region of Canada. We hear directly from employers, exporters, manufacturers, and community leaders who are navigating U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures, supply
Thursday, September 10, 2026Letter from The Honourable Craig Pardy ,Minister of Finance
Thank you for your letter and for sharing the Atlantic Economic Council's (AEC) report, Sound the Fiscal Alarm: What Atlantic Canada Must Do to Avoid a Fiscal Crisis.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026Letter to The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada Re: Fuel Tax
Chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, representing businesses of every size and sector, urge the Government of Canada to maintain the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax beyond its scheduled end date of September 7, 2026.
Friday, June 5, 2026Letter to The Right Honourable Mark Carney Office of the Prime Minister: Re. Marine Atlantic
I am writing on behalf of a coalition of business and industry organizations, including Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, Akita Equipment and Auto Transportation, The Board of Trade, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, East Can Transport Services Limited, the Retail Council of Canada, and the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. As a group of like-minded industry leaders committed to the growth and prosperity of Newfoundland and Labrador's economy, we are united in recognizing the critical role Marine
Thursday, May 7, 2026Letter from NL Premier Re: Marine Atlantic services
Thank you for your letter of March 24, 2026, outlining your concerns regarding ferry capacity and the reliability of Marine Atlantic services. I appreciate the collective perspective you have brought forward on behalf of the industries and communities you represent, and I agree that this issue has important implications for Newfoundland and Labrador's economy.
Thursday, April 30, 2026Joint Call from Atlantic and Quebec Chambers on Churchill Falls Opportunity
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), representing two of the largest business associations in their respective regions, recognize that the proposed developments related to Churchill Falls represent more than a regional opportunity: it’s a defining moment for how provinces can work together to advance large-scale, nation-building initiatives. At a time when Canada faces rising global competition for investment, accelerating demand for clean
Tuesday, March 24, 2026Letter to Premier Holt and Premier Houston Re: Achieving an Atlantic Free Trade Zone
On behalf of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, 94 members forming a powerful collective voice for over 16,000 businesses across the four Atlantic provinces, I am writing to express concern over recent decisions that risk undermining the economic integration our region strives to achieve. In Budget 2026-2027, the Government of New Brunswick announced a new toll for out-of-province vehicles at Aulac by 2028. Combined with Nova Scotia’s continued operation of the Cobequid Pass toll on the Trans-Canada Highway,
Thursday, March 12, 2026Response from The Honourable Joanne Thompson, P.C., M.P. Re: Atlantic Fisheries Fund
Thank you for your correspondence of January 6, 2026, highlighting the importance of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) to businesses and livelihoods across Atlantic Canada. I value your comments on the role of the AFF in supporting innovation, productivity, and sustainability in the industry which supports employment and opportunities for coastal communities. Since 2017, the AFF has provided support to over 1,300 projects across the Atlantic provinces, valued at over $368 million. My department recognizes
Tuesday, March 10, 2026Letter to Atlantic Premiers Re: Mutual Health and Safety Credential Recognition in Atlantic Canada
We urge the Atlantic provinces to commit to recognizing health and safety credentials earned in any other Atlantic province, ensuring that certifications obtained in one jurisdiction are automatically accepted in the others. This would eliminate redundant training, testing, or recertification requirements for skilled workers moving within the region, while upholding consistent high standards of workplace safety.
Friday, March 6, 2026Letter to The Honourable Craig Pardy: Minister of Finance Re: NL Payroll Tax
We respectfully request that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador eliminate the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax (HAPSET), the 2% payroll tax applied to annual payrolls exceeding $2 million. This tax, while intended to support vital sectors like health and education, has unintended consequences that hinder economic development precisely at a time when the province faces significant challenges, including high operational costs, out-migration, and persistent labour shortages.
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Truth and Reconciliation
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect. Learn more click here.
