Policy Poll: Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Effective September 26, 2024, the Government of Canada (Employment & Social Development Canada) will be implementing a series of reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that may impact many Canadian business across the country. Additional measures will also be implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in the coming year.

 

The London Chamber of Commerce would like to assess the impact that such reforms are likely to have on our business community and we appreciate your feedback in this brief poll.

Addressing the Affordability Crisis

In the face of mounting public debt and an affordability crisis, the London Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Chatham-Kent and Atlantic Chambers of Commerce, has authored a policy paper entitled “Addressing the Affordability Crisis by Getting Back to Fiscal Balance and Right Sizing Government.” This paper will be presented at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM and Convention in Halifax this October, offering recommendations for sustainable fiscal policies to safeguard Canada’s economic future.

 

The Growing Challenge of Public Debt

 

The COVID-19 pandemic caused public debt to surge globally, with Canada being no exception. Despite the end of the pandemic, Canada’s public debt as a ratio to GDP remains elevated and is expected to persist as a key challenge for policymakers. The federal government’s latest budget reflects this concern, forecasting continued deficit spending and a rising public debt, without a clear strategy to restore fiscal balance. Interest payments on this debt now consume an increasingly larger portion of the budget, limiting the funds available for essential services such as health care, education, and infrastructure.

Q3 2024 Report on Business Conditions

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab has published their Survey on Business Conditions Report for the third quarter of 2024. This report details the results of a survey that collected data on how businesses across Canada feel about their performance and their outlook for the future. This is an important tool in judging the general perceptions of the Canadian economy and business landscape at the individual level. While business sentiment is the major factor in these reports, they also include data from the Bank of Canada that provide insights into inflation, employment, and the general economy. Comparing business sentiment with economic data allows us to look at the gaps in how the economy is really doing compared with how we feel the economy is doing.

Advocacy Win: Advancing Labour Mobility for Skilled Trades in Ontario

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and broader Chamber Network, has achieved a significant advocacy win in the push for improved labour mobility for skilled tradespeople.

 

In its 2024 Provincial Budget Submission, the OCC urged the Government of Ontario to take bold steps toward enhancing interprovincial trade by signing mutual recognition agreements or unilaterally recognizing standards from other provinces. The aim was to promote labour mobility and address the ongoing skilled trades shortages impacting Ontario’s economy.

 

In August 2024, this advocacy culminated in a major success. The Government of Ontario signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Nova Scotia to streamline interprovincial mobility for skilled tradespeople, including post-journeyperson certification. This agreement marks a significant step in addressing labour shortages by making it easier for qualified tradespeople from other provinces to become certified in Ontario.

 

The London Chamber of Commerce is proud to have supported this advocacy effort, helping to ensure that Ontario remains competitive and open to skilled workers from across the country.