Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce Releases Emerging Stronger 2015, a Business-Driven Economic Agenda for Ontario
(Greater Sudbury), February 9, 2015 – The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce is pleased to release the fourth edition of our Emerging Stronger economic agenda for Ontario developed in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto and Leger Marketing. Emerging Stronger 2015 identifies immediate actions that government and business can take to enhance Ontario’s economic competitiveness and spur job creation in the province.
Emerging Stronger 2015 is based on five priorities:
- Fostering a culture of innovation and smart risk-taking in order to become a productivity leader.
- Building a 21st century workforce.
- Restoring fiscal balance by improving the way government works.
- Taking advantage of new opportunities in the global economy.
- Identifying, championing, and strategically investing in our competitive advantages in the global economy.
”We have identified what needs to be done to ensure that Ontario remains the best place in the world to live, invest, and build a business,“ says Allan O’Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Over the next year, we will continue to work with our partners in the private and public sectors to keep Ontario on its path from recovery to growth.”
“Among the recommendations of Emerging Stronger, includes a call for the provincial government to seize the tremendous potential of Northern Ontario to advance the economic development of the province on a whole,” says Geoff Jeffery, Chair of the Board, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. “Emerging Stronger outlines how the province can work with partners including the federal government, industry, post-secondary institutions and civil society to overcome fiscal challenges and leverage the opportunities that 2015 will bring,” adds Jeffery.
The report also identifies business confidence levels in the province through the Ontario Business Confidence Index, the most comprehensive annual survey of business opinion in the province. The index, which surveyed almost 1,500 businesses, shows that only 29 percent of Ontario’s businesses are confident in the province’s economy, representing a 40 percent decline compared to last year.
The annual Ontario Business Confidence Index also shows that 58 percent of businesses in the province are confident in their own organization’s outlook, a decrease of 22 percent compared to last year. When it comes to growing their business, 54 percent say they plan to expand within the next five years.
“Business confidence levels are down from last year, but we really believe that embracing the recommendations of Emerging Stronger will help boost these levels and position the province for growth,” says Jeffery. “Targeting business confidence levels and embracing innovative strategies will be vital in helping to foster growth at the local level as well here in Greater Sudbury which is poised for moderate growth in 2015 and 2016,” adds Jeffery.
For more information, contact:
Joyce Mankarios
Policy and Communication Manager
Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
705-673-7133 ext 224