Northwestern chambers of commerce urged the Wynne government to rein in spending, get cracking on the Ring of Fire, address the growing skills gap, and strive to deliver cheaper power to Northern manufacturers.
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) issued a joint release that they submitted their input during pre-budget consultations.
“We highlighted the incredible opportunity in the mining sector and the need for provincial support through investments in infrastructure and skills training to ensure we can realize the potential,” said NOACC president Nathan Lawrence.
“Bold action” is needed to balance the provincial budget or since the government’s fiscal situation poses “negative consequences for all Ontarians.”
The chambers said investor confidence in Ontario is being hurt by delays in drawing up the Ring of Fire environmental assessment process and the failure on the government’s part to bring in Ottawa as a development partner.
With businesses struggling to find skilled workers, apprenticeship ratios need to be adjusted to increase the number of apprentices trained by each journeyman. Aboriginal communities, the chambers said, especially need better access to skill training.
And the chambers recommend that the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate program be made a permanent fixture to ensure value-added wood manufacturing and mineral processing stays in Ontario. An upgraded power transmission corridor must also be put in place.
Thunder Bay chamber president Charla Robinson added provincial ministries and department take far too long to pay their bills to small business.
“Waiting 60 to 90 days or longer for payment is a huge strain on the limited resources of a small business.” She recommended an immediate payment of 25 per cent upon receipt of invoices.
