On May 13, 2019, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the national Chamber network, launched its platform for the 2019 federal election, Vote Prosperity, to urge federal party leaders to put the needs of Canadian business front and centre in the upcoming federal election. Vote Prosperity reflects the priorities and concerns of job creators in communities across Canada. Developed in partnership with Canada’s provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, Vote Prosperity lays out seven priorities, along with a series of specific measures, to attract investment to Canada and help businesses create jobs, grow and strengthen our communities.
Vote Prosperity calls on all of the federal parties to support Canada’s job creators by including these priorities in their election platform:
- a regulatory system that works for everyone, including business;
- a tax system that is fair, efficient and modern;
- access to new markets around the world and the elimination of trade barriers at home;
- resources to help small- and medium-sized businesses grow and succeed at home and abroad;
- innovation and infrastructure to make Canada the most connected country in the world;
- a workforce with the skills, education and training required to prosper; and
- a healthier pharmacare system for healthier Canadians.
Click here to learn more about the Vote Prosperity platform. Read our media release here.
Continue reading below for a synopsis of the platform.
A Regulatory System That Works for Everyone, Including Business
Countries with effective, predictable regulatory systems attract investment and get major projects built. Unfortunately, Canada’s overlapping regulations at all levels of government is driving away investment, preventing resources from getting to market and diverting attention from more productive tasks. Domestically, a more predictable, effective regulatory system would also promote improved relations with Indigenous peoples, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and increased economic participation while reducing risk and uncertainty for business.
Read more here.
A Tax System That Is Fair, Efficient and Modern
Canada has not undertaken a comprehensive review of its tax system since the 1960s, and its tax system is becoming increasingly complex and inefficient. The next federal government can fix this problem by initiating a full, independent review with goals of aligning it with the realities of today’s competitive environment and helping set our businesses up for success.
Read more here.
Access to New Markets Around the World and Breaking Down the Elimination of Trade Barriers at Home
In recent years, agreements have been signed which created significant new market opportunities for Canadian businesses. Furthermore, Canada’s domestic market represents a tremendous growth opportunity. However, internal trade barriers cost Canada’s economy more than $14 billion each year. The next federal government must build on existing trade opportunities, open up new ones and make it easier for Canadians to do business with one another here at home.
Read more here.
Resources to Help Small and Medium Canadian Companies Grow and Succeed at Home and Abroad
Canadian SMEs need relief from the tax and regulatory systems that have become increasingly complex and dysfunctional over the years. Canada’s SMEs lack the resources of larger companies to access foreign markets. However, the time and effort involved in identifying what federal support programs could help is too much, so they give up. When it comes to trade, just 4 percent of Canadian SMEs exported goods in 2017, compared to a mark of 20 percent in other G7 countries. The federal government must do more to help Canadian SMEs export their products.
Read more here.
Innovation and Infrastructure to Make Canada the Most Connected Country in the World
Canada must ensure that innovative, world-leading companies and entrepreneurs can seize the opportunities of the digital age. That means adopting a more flexible approach to regulations, making smart investments in skills training and in digital infrastructure as well as developing new strategies to encourage and profit from intangibles. The next federal government must also recognize that the economy remains diverse and that more than just technology connects Canadians. Trade enabling infrastructure, which has the greatest long-term economic benefit, should be a priority for Canada’s next government.
Read more here.
A Workforce with the Skills, Education and Training to Prosper
Finding the right talent with the right skills and training at the right time remains one of the biggest challenges facing businesses and it is becoming more difficult as industries adapt to new technologies and new ways of doing business. Therefore, the government should work with business and other levels of government to meet the demand for skills required for the economies of today and tomorrow.
Read more here.
A Healthier Pharmacare System for Healthier Canadians
If the next federal government proceeds with national pharmacare, the plan should focus on closing the gaps between those that have and those who do not have prescription drug coverage, as well as provide solutions that meet the real needs of patients and employees. Any new program must provide an advantage over what the current system offers and must not reduce or replace the comprehensive coverage options already available through private and/or group plans.
Read more here.