Ventures Dialogue

The re-elected minority government in Canada has put the focus squarely on the economy in the Speech from the Throne.  Several issues of importance to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have been given top priority including moving to a common securities regulator and accelerating the rate of infrastructure investment.  Other measures will also help to improve Canada’s competitiveness including:

• Removing barriers to internal trade, investment and labour mobility by 2010
• Encouraging skilled trades and apprenticeships
• Accelerating, in co-operation with the provinces and territories, the recognition of foreign credentials
• Ensuring Aboriginal Canadians fully share in economic opportunities
• Recognizing the importance of public infrastructure to create jobs to create the links between communities and regions to help generate future employment by expediting Building Canada
• Modernizing Canada’s competition and investment laws and implementing many of the recommendations of the Competition Policy Review Panel to help Canada’s businesses benefit from foreign investment and innovation
• Modernizing Canada’s copyright laws and ensuring stronger protection for intellectual property
• Working with the U.S. administration to address shared challenges and enhance North American competitiveness
• Pursuing new trade opportunities in Asia and the Americas, as well as with the EU
• Taking measures to deal with climate change including the development of a North American-wide cap and trade system and an effective international protocol.

An economic statement is expected next week by Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.  The Throne Speech warned of a possible deficit but Flaherty insists the government is still in a surplus position. What’s your feeling on the speech — and on Flaherty’s expected statement?