2024-2025 Ontario Chamber of Commerce Impact Report by Ontario Chamber of Commerce

APRIL 2024 - APRIL 2025

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes and empowers businesses and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

Purpose

To bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

Mission

To convene, mobilize, and empower business and local chambers to lead positive change - something no one can achieve alone.

Vision

To be the indispensable partner of business, successfully advocating for businesses of all sizes, all sectors, and in all communities.

Values

• Non-Partisanship: We approach every issue and decision without bias towards any political group, ensuring our actions are based on objective evidence and support the best interests of our members and greater economy.

• Integrity: Our commitment to honesty and ethical conduct drives our interactions, decisions, and operations, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability.

• Service Excellence: We consistently strive to exceed expectations, providing outstanding value, support and solutions to our members and stakeholders, enhancing their engagement and experiences.

• Entrepreneurship: Embracing innovation and creativity, we proactively seek new opportunities, adapt to changing landscapes, and champion bold ideas to drive growth and progress.

• Inclusion: We embrace diversity in all forms, ensuring that all voices are heard, respected, and valued, creating an environment of belonging, collaboration, equity, and mutual understanding.

OCC Staff Group Photo.

Message from the Chair of the Board

Serving as Chair of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has been an honour and a truly rewarding experience. Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a committed Board, a talented team, and passionate members from across the province.

What I enjoyed most was connecting with business leaders from all sectors and regions, each bringing unique perspectives, resilience, and a shared drive to build a stronger Ontario. Together, we navigated a time of significant change and re-affirmed the OCC’s commitment to be a partner to businesses of all sizes across Ontario.

I leave this role with deep pride in what we’ve accomplished and full confidence in the Chamber’s path ahead under Daniel Tisch’s leadership and the incoming Chair, Aliya Ramji, Partner McCarthy Tetrault LLP, Toronto.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to supporting the OCC’s continued impact in the years to come.

- Vasudha Seth, Chair of the Board

Message from the President and CEO

As I reflect on my first year leading the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, I am struck by both the challenges and opportunities that have defined 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

It’s been a year of dramatic political and economic shifts: a Prime Minister’s resignation, provincial and federal elections, and a trade war with massive risks for North America’s competitiveness. This has brought a level of engagement and collaboration between business and political leaders not seen since the pandemic five years ago.

Amid this landscape of change, the Ontario Chamber has remained unwavering in its advocacy for you, our members. This report showcases our team’s dedication to action. In recent months alone, we have established the Ontario Business and Trade Leadership Coalition, launched our “Ontario’s Mining Future 2030” initiative, published a steady stream of influential advocacy recommendations, and secured our place at provincial and federal decision-making tables. Our voice has also resonated across the national media when Ontario business needed it most.

As we chart our path, I am proud to launch our new strategic plan. It affirms our role as the indispensable partner of business in Ontario. It recognizes that our strength and differentiation lies in our representation of enterprises of all sizes, across all sectors, and in all communities. Four pillars will guide our work:

First, we will maximize value for chambers, corporate members, and small and medium-sized enterprises through enhanced services and support.

Second, we’ll leverage the Ontario Chamber brand through compelling differentiation, ensuring your voice is heard with clarity and conviction.

Third, we’ll elevate our organizational capacity by empowering our people and driving growth and performance.

Finally, we will lead with impact through public policy development, advocacy, and effective mobilization of business voices.

The years ahead won’t be easy. I believe, however, that recent events have lit a fire under Canadians

Board of Directors, 2024-25

Vasudha Seth – Chair Vice-President, Strategy ArcelorMittal Dofasco

Joaquim Ballès – Past Chair

Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development and General Counsel

Trudell Medical Limited

Aliya Ramji – Chair-Elect Partner

McCarthy Tetrault LLP, Toronto

Marilyn Horrick – Vice-Chair

Senior Vice-President, Market Growth, Brand Expansion and Partner Relations Outside Quebec Desjardins

Farah Jivraj – Vice-Chair Head, Market Access, Policy and Stakeholder Relations

Biogen Canada

Jennifer Smith – Vice-Chair

Executive Vice-President, Corporate and Chief People Officer

Burlington Enterprises Corporation

Luigi Ciciretto – Honorary Treasurer

Partner, Assurance and Accounting

BDO Canada LLP

Paul Bisanti

President

Byzantine Homes Inc.

Tabatha Bull

President and CEO

Canadian Council for Indigenous Business

Jamie Doolittle

Regional Head, Business Banking

BMO

Gervan Fearon

President

George Brown College

Teri French

Executive Vice-President, Operations and Customer Experience

Hydro One

Yasser Ghazi

Vice-President, Commercial

Financial Services

RBC

Tammy Giroux

Manager, Government Relations

General Motors Canada

Sherry McNeil

President and Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Franchise Association

Trevor McPherson

President and Chief Executive Officer

Mississauga Board of Trade

Chamirai Charles Nyabeze Vice-President; Network Director Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation; Mining Innovation

Commercialization Accelerator

Rory Ring

President and Chief Executive Officer

Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce

Gina Scandrett Vice-President, Operations

Bourgon Construction

Dina Sergi

Chief Executive Officer

MyHealth Centre

Relay Tangie

Director, Finance

National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association

Advocacy in Action

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice for the province’s business community, driving meaningful change through strategic advocacy, media engagement, and collaboration with all levels of government. At the core of our efforts is a commitment to robust policy development and consultation. Through policyfocused events, in-depth reports, and formal submissions to both federal and provincial governments, we provide timely insights, analysis, and recommendations on the issues that matter most to Ontario businesses. By proactively spotlighting challenges and opportunities across the economy, the OCC advances practical solutions that foster growth, innovation, and competitiveness. Our advocacy consistently gains traction in Canada’s top news outlets, with OCC leaders regularly featured across print, radio, television, and influential social media conversation—amplifying the voice of business where it matters most.

Data from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Our Reach

2,170 News Media Mentions

Our Impact

73,092 Total Social Media Engagements

44,338

Total Followers (X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn)

42 Advocacy Wins 131 Meaningful engagements with government

72 Public and Advocacy Publications

6,420 Businesses Supported through OCC’s Programs

Media Highlights

OCC’s President and CEO, Daniel Tisch, authored a Toronto Star op-ed in November, underscoring the more than $1 trillion economic stakes between Canada and the United States. Tisch details ten proactive ways for Canadian businesses to safeguard the mutual economic interests and put North America first.

Major Initiatives

Ontario Business & Trade Leadership Coalition

In the face of rising international protectionism and global trade disruptions, the OCC launched the Ontario Business & Trade Leadership Coalition (OBTLC). The coalition brings together leaders from Ontario’s most trade-dependent sectors, working collectively to champion innovative, business-driven solutions, advocate for forward-thinking government policies, and reinforce Ontario’s role as a global trade leader.

Learn more about the OBTLC.

Chambers of the Federation

In late 2024 and early 2025, the OCC brought together Canada’s provincial chambers to form the Chambers of the Federation. As a collective, we presented an Agenda for Economic Growth and Stability, a policy framework to drive economic growth, dismantle interprovincial trade barriers, and elevate Canada’s global competitiveness, to Premier Ford in his capacity as Chair of the Council of the Federation, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, and Manitoba Minister Jamie Moses.

Read the Policy Recommendations.

2027 World Chambers Congress

After a competitive process involving multiple bidders from across the Americas, the OCC was selected to host the 2027 World Chambers Congress. With the theme Prosperity with Purpose: Building Inclusive, Sustainable Economies, this biannual conference of Chambers of Commerce leaders from around the globe will bring together diverse voices to the world’s most diverse city, Toronto.

Read the release to learn more.

OCC’s Artificial Intelligence Hub

As artificial intelligence (AI) integrates into the economy, industry, academia, and government must adapt to emerging market demands. The OCC, along with its partners, launched the AI Hub to bring together industry and academia to inform actionable public policy, promote adoption, and advance knowledge on AI use cases in Ontario. Learn more about the AI Hub and its key offerings.

Learn more.

Ontario’s Mining Future 2030

Mining activities continue to foster economies of scale and drive regional development, spurring job creation and growth across Northern Ontario. In 2014, the OCC published a landmark study that estimated an untapped $25 billion in economic opportunity. Since then, interest in the region has grown as federal and provincial governments seek to catalyze development through Ontario’s Critical Mineral Strategy and Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy—all aimed to bolster Canada’s electric vehicle supply chains. To seize this opportunity, the OCC launched Ontario’s Mining Future 2030, an initiative comprised of a mining council and a report that will outline solutions to help the sector capitalize on growth, while positioning Ontario as the preferred jurisdiction for responsible mining.

Learn more.

Beyond Emergency Declarations: Charting Ontario’s Course Through the Substance Use and Overdose Crisis

The substance-use epidemic continues to have significant impacts across Ontario, disproportionately affecting rural, remote, and northern communities, racialized and other equity-deserving groups, and sectors of the economy such as construction. The primer shares key insights into the regional and socioeconomic impacts of this crisis and best practices for future intervention.

Read the primer.

2025 Ontario Economic Report

The OCC’s ninth annual Ontario Economic Report is an interactive, data-rich resource offering insights into the province’s economy and the perspectives of businesses across sectors and regions. This year’s report delivered a clear message: Ontario’s economy is fragile. Handle with care. Although business confidence has doubled since last year, significant challenges remain, including affordability pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, and sluggish employment growth, all of which threaten long-term prosperity. A follow-up survey showed that any gains in business confidence quickly vanish under the prospect of tariffs.

Read the report.

Ontario’s Arts, Culture and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities

Despite Ontario’s culture sector contributing $26 billion in GDP in 2022--and accounting for almost 45% of Canada’s total culture sector growth—the sector continues to be overlooked and undervalued. This policy brief explores the socio-economic significance of Ontario’s culture sector, spotlighting opportunity gaps and innovative partnerships and approaches within the province to strengthen global competitiveness and community cohesion.

Read the brief.

Advocacy Wins

Announced Provincial Legislation Aimed at Eliminating Interprovincial Trade Barriers

Ask: The OCC has long been a supporter advocate of dismantling interprovincial trade barriers to make Ontario a more competitive place to do business. Legislation aimed at eliminating unnecessary trade barriers would expand labour mobility and advance the economies across the provinces and territories in Canada. Dismantling trade barriers is vital to Ontario given the current tariff trade war with the U.S.

Win: In April 2025, the Government of Ontario announced new legislation to break down interprovincial trade and labour mobility barriers. The Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act will make Ontario the first province to remove all its trade exceptions, allowing certified workers and goods from across Canada to move freely. This move is expected to create jobs, attract investment, and reduce consumer costs by up to 14.5%.

Reducing Red Tape and Improving the Movement of Goods

Ask: In several letters, submissions, and engagements with federal and provincial government representatives, the OCC highlighted that the lack of consistent or harmonized regulations across provinces and territories harms productivity and workers. The OCC has called on governments to address labour shortages in the trucking industry, particularly acute for small business operators, to support economic growth.

Win: In September 2024, the Government of Canada launched a pilot project to mutually recognize regulatory requirements in the trucking sector. This initiative establishes mutual recognition of regulatory requirements among participating provinces and territories, enabling seamless cross-border operations despite regional regulatory differences. This enables trucks and the goods they carry to move across Canada more effectively, without compromising safety and security measures.

Province Launches Next State of Life Science Strategy

Ask: In our 2024 provincial budget submission, we urged the government to accelerate implementation of Ontario’s life sciences strategy and prioritize ecosystem-wide investments. We reiterated this call in an October letter to Ministers Fedeli and Jones. As part of the Life Sciences Collaborative, we also continuously emphasized the need for government leadership in supporting the sector.

Win: In October 2024, the Government of Ontario announced the next phase of Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level, Ontario’s life science strategy. This includes a $146 million investment to spur the sector’s growth, of which up to $46 million will go towards the Ontario Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund, helping to boost research capacity at postsecondary institutions and affiliated research hospitals.

Supporting Housing Development Across Ontario’s Municipalities

Ask: The OCC’s housing affordability brief emphasized that municipalities lack sufficient funding to address aging infrastructure and meet growing needs. We called for investments in expanding, maintaining, and climate-proofing municipal assets to support densification and build complete communities. We also urged all levels of government to tackle infrastructure backlogs and deficits.

Win: In March 2024, the Ontario government announced over $1.6 billion for housing-enabling infrastructure, including $1 billion for the new Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to support core projects like roads and water systems. An additional $625 million was allocated to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund to help municipalities upgrade water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure essential for housing development.

Policy Councils

The OCC’s policy councils comprise a diverse crosssection of members across industry, academia, and private and public sectors who come together to exchange ideas, inform priorities, and advocate for thoughtful solutions to pressing issues through timely and relevant policy recommendations, statements, and government submissions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies Policy Council

Ontario is a leader in AI technology, with a long history of AI research and development, a thriving start-up ecosystem, and a robust, ever-growing technology sector. As new technologies emerge, concerns such as ethics, privacy and skill shortages hinder adoption, particularly for small to mediumsized enterprises.

Highlights & Outcomes:

9 Penned a letter on Bill 194, Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, outlining recommendations to balance accountability and safety with adoption in the public sector.

9 Informed a Federal Consultation on AI Compute, highlighting the need to maximize Canada’s capabilities as a global AI powerhouse, focusing on solving capacity limitations, strengthening supply chains, and improving access to the compute infrastructure through business supports.

9 Participated in government consultations with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement on Bill 194, Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act

Energy Policy Council (EPC)

Ontario’s goal to be net-zero by 2050 makes prioritizing clean, affordable, and reliable energy essential for businesses and communities. With electricity shortfalls on the horizon, long-term investments will be crucial to fill this gap. The EPC advocates a collective effort to support reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for generations to come.

Highlights & Outcomes:

9 Highlighted the need to accelerate major energy infrastructure project approvals for clean growth in the province, such as reducing costs and delays, financing the infrastructure, and minimizing uncertainty in Accelerating Energy Infrastructure Projects in Ontario.

9 Called for an “all of the above” approach (nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, natural gas) to meet growing energy needs in response to the Clean Energy Regulations.

9 Penned a letter to the Hon. Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry in June 2024, highlighting the need for further investments in vesting pore space to enable carbon capture and storage opportunities for Ontario.

9 Participated in roundtable discussions for the OCC’s Economic Reconciliation initiative with research partner Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, to inform the policy report series that aims to support businesses on their reconciliation journey.

Learn more about the council.

Health Policy Council (HPC)

The mental health and addictions crisis, a growing aging population, and increased emergency wait times continue to put pressure on Ontario’s health care system. The HPC advocates for a stronger, more resilient public health care system while supporting the advancement of Ontario’s life science strategy.

Highlights & Outcomes:

9 Urged the provincial government to support Ontario’s aging population by prioritizing preparedness for the arrival of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and building critical health infrastructure to implement emerging treatments.

9 Informed a letter of support for enhancing employer-funded virtual care services and the role virtual services have in rural, remote, northern, and Indigenous communities.

9 Amplified the importance of building the bioeconomy to prioritize catalyzing Ontario’s life sciences sector.

Learn more about the council.

Infrastructure Policy Council (IPC)

As Ontario expands and diversifies its markets, such as electric vehicle battery manufacturing, the need for infrastructure that supports its long-term growth is more important than ever. The IPC advocates for improving and investing in infrastructure (including digital and transportation infrastructure) that enables economic and social returns while fostering innovation to address productivity gaps. Within the IPC, to address an increasingly digital economy, a broadband subcommittee was created.

Highlights & Outcomes:

9 Provided feedback on Bill 153 Building Infrastructure Safely Act, 2023, commending the Province’s overall direction in locate delivery timelines and removing excavator recourse provisions. The letter provides additional recommendations, focusing on compliance instead of penalties and adopting dedicated locator models.

9 Informed a letter to the Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, emphasizing the need for the government to move forward aggressively on the expansion of Highway 69 and that the ministry communicate regularly and transparently to stakeholders about progress.

9 Collaborated on a letter of support for the proposed Chicago-Toronto passenger rail service project, which will contribute to both regions’ shared ambitions for future economic growth, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Learn more about the council.

Workforce Development Policy Council (WDPC)

Labour shortages continue to ease in 2024; however, labour shortages remain in construction, transportation and manufacturing industries. As skilled trades workers continue to be in high demand, and emerging technologies embed themselves into the economy, the WDPC advocates building a diverse and inclusive workforce by advancing upskilling, reskilling and support systems to strengthen Ontario’s talent pipeline.

Highlights & Outcomes:

9 Informed a letter supporting automatic features and voluntary workplace pensions and savings plans.

9 Highlighted the importance of safeguarding Ontario’s post-secondary institutions by mitigating unintended consequences of international student enrolment cap that stifles economic growth.

9 Amplified the need for expanding OINP nominations for northern and rural communities to address labour shortages. Learn more about the council.

Convening & Mobilizing Ontario Business

The OCC facilitates engagements and collaborations with government and industry stakeholders, ensuring attendees remain up-to-date on policy developments, business climate shifts, and key industry insights. Through thought leadership, roundtables, and strategic partnerships, the OCC enables businesses and local chambers of commerce and boards of trade to take collective action, shaping the trajectory of Ontario’s

Key Events and Campaigns

Ontario Business Advisory Council

The Ontario Business Advisory Council (OBAC) series brings together high-profile ministers and senior officials from provincial and federal governments with key business stakeholders to discuss pressing issues. Businesses provide insights to government on sector-specific opportunities or challenges, aligning organizational priorities and contributing to positive economic outcomes across the province.

Webinar Series

As businesses navigate an increasingly dynamic economic and global landscape, the OCC has developed the Business Connects, Trade Talks and program-related webinar series to connect experts from industry, government and academia to help equip businesses with the tools, resources, and industry insights to adapt and stay competitive.

2025 Annual General Meeting and Convention

The OCC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Convention is a significant opportunity for Ontario business leaders to network, debate key policy issues, and shape the advocacy agenda for the year ahead. The 2025 AGM and Convention was hosted by the WindsorEssex Chamber of Commerce on April 24 to 26, under the theme Bridges, Not Barriers: Building Connected Communities and Economies

Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs)

The OBAAs is a distinguished industry celebration, recognizing exemplary business success. The 2024 OBAAs spotlighted inspiring stories of perseverance under the theme Building Resilience in a Changing Economy, showcasing Ontario’s construction industry, entrepreneurial spirit, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the economy.

This year, three prestigious awards were presented, including the newly introduced Community Impact Award.

Learn more about the 2024 OBAAs.

2024 Smart Growth Symposium

Innovation can improve the efficiency and resiliency of our economy and its infrastructure—but its adoption at scale requires strategic collaboration across the public and private sectors. The OCC and co-host, the Climate Positive Energy Initiative at the University of Toronto, organized the second annual Smart Growth Symposium, showcasing Ontario-led smart and clean technologies that improve the efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability of our economy. With close to 200 attendees, the symposium delivered a keynote fireside chat with the Hon. Navdeep Bains Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Rogers Communications, a carbon capture and storage presentation from Damien Steele, CEO of Deep Sky, and a fireside with the Hon. Sam Oosterhoff, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Energy and Intensive Industries.

Small Business Week

The OCC’s annual Small Business Week campaign is an opportunity to celebrate and advocate for small businesses. Last year’s campaign, Thank You Small Business, highlighted the vital contributions small businesses make to their communities while examining opportunities to help them navigate economic uncertainty and challenges under four key pillars: connectivity, productivity, affordability, and sustainability.

Learn more about Small Business Week

Ontario Economic Summit

The Ontario Economic Summit (OES) is the OCC’s flagship event that unites thought leaders from across sectors to explore innovative policy solutions to the province’s most pressing challenges. The 2024 theme was Future-Proofing Ontario: Building an Inclusive, Sustainable Economy, and featured engaging keynote speeches, interactive sessions, expert panel discussions, OCC’s Policy Debate Series, and the evening networking reception at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. With more than 400 participants, the 2024 OES was the largest in OCC history. It continues to drive impactful change, guiding Ontario towards a brighter future. Learn more about the OES.

The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, at the 2024 Ontario Economic Summit.

The Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, at the 2024 Ontario Economic Summit.

Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, at the 2024 Ontario Economic Summit.

In Conversation with Ontario’s Chiefs of Staff

This annual event is an opportunity for OCC’s premier members to engage in conversation with Ontario’s Chiefs of Staff on the most pressing public policy issues facing Ontario business. In 2024, we were proud to host over 100 participants including twenty-one Chiefs of Staff and five senior staff members from the Office of the Premier of Ontario.

Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park

Chambers and Boards of Trade from across Ontario (the Chamber Network) gather in Toronto to engage directly with Cabinet Ministers, opposition party leaders, critics, MPPs and political staff to share their local members’ priorities, challenges and opportunities. This year, the OCC will celebrate the event’s tenth anniversary on May 13, 2025.

Empowering Businesses

Canada Digital Adoption Program

Launched by the OCC in 2022 with support from the Government of Canada, the Grow Your Business Online stream of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program empowered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with grants of up to $2,400 to adopt e-commerce tools such as online shopping, SEO, digital marketing, and cybersecurity. The program supported thousands of businesses across Ontario and employed over 500 post-secondary students who gained valuable work experience while guiding SMEs through their digital transformation. Funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the program concluded in March 2025.

Learn more about CDAP.

Talent Opportunities Program

Since 2021, the Talent Opportunities Program has facilitated over 9,000 student work-integrated learning placements.

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), TOP offers wage subsidies of up to $7,000 to help employers hire students, particularly from under-represented groups. Participating employers report a 98% satisfaction rate, citing improved workflow and access to future talent. Students also rate the program highly, with 94% expressing satisfaction and noting enhanced job readiness, career clarity, and professional networks. The program remains active for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Learn more about TOP.

The Skills Bridge Program addresses skills and labour shortages by offering flexible, online training for SMEs through a curated library of over 60 courses in 19 Learning Pathways, including digital skills, EDI, and cybersecurity. Led by the OCC in partnership with the Diversity Institute, Magnet, and la Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec—and funded by the Future Skills Centre—the platform helps businesses and employees remain competitive in a shifting economy. In the coming year, Skills Bridge will evolve into a national marketplace for SME learning, engaging partners from across sectors, academia, and the Ontario Chamber Network.

Our Partners

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ISBN 978-1-998700-03-5

ISSN 978-1-998700-03-5