Lobbying Information
Subject Matters
- Budget
- Climate
- Economic Development
- Education
- Employment and Training
- Energy
- Government Procurement
- Health
- Housing
- Immigration
- Industry
- Infrastructure
- International Development
- International Relations
- International Trade
- Justice and Law Enforcement
- Labour
- National Security/Security
- Privacy and Access to Information
- Regional Development
- Science and Technology
- Small Business
- Taxation and Finance
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
Subject Matter Details
Grant, Contribution or Other Financial Benefit
- Currently proposing to the Federal Economic Development Agency for the creation of the Trade Manager Program (TMP) to support Canadian SMEs expansion into new markets through the hiring of a dedicated trade manager. The TMP would be funded through an investment of $4.5 million (plus delivery costs) per year over 3 years by the Government of Canada administered by the OCC.
- New Signed agreement with the Ministry of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade for $12 Million for the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund. We received the initial 50% of the fund and are actively distributing grants. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund is managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network in support of other chambers and partners to help small Canadian businesses with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19. More info on the fund here: https://occ.ca/canada-united-small-business-relief-fund/
- New agreements with Employment and Social Development Canada: Student Work Placement Program (SWPP):
- July 23, 2020 – signed an amending agreement with ESDC to deliver the Student Work Placement Program: $5,795,779 (Project #OCCCOVID19-01)
- July 14, 2020 – original agreement with ESCD: $16,347,883 (Project #016698664)
- This program is focused on supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships to work collaboratively to create more quality work-integrated learning opportunities for young Canadians & better align work-ready skills development to ensure that students and better position to secure more meaningful employment opportunities across all disciplines.
- Opportunities Fund with Employment and Social Development Canada: - The total Opportunities Fund is $1,194,410 (beginning in 2019 and flowing into 2021). The fund helps connect people with disabilities with employment.
- Recently signed contract in June 2021 with the Ministry of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade for $8.8 million for a buy local campaign.
Shop Local is a program run by the Government of Canada through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce and boards of trade to support businesses to encourage Canadians to shop local.
https://occ.ca/shop-local/
Grant, Contribution or Other Financial Benefit, Policies or Program
- We're working with Health Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Ontario to distribute rapid tests through local chambers of commerce and boards of trade.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is working with Health Canada to get funding for the chambers running this program.
Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution
- Income Tax Act, with respect to refocusing regulatory and tax systems to foster innovation and productivity while removing barriers to growth, particularly for SMEs.
- Pre-Budget Submission Process with respect to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's pre-budget submission.
- USMCA and CETA, with respect to promoting international trade.
Policies or Program
- Canada Small Business Finance Program, with respect to offering temporary deferrals on payments during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as amend the CSBFP to support long-term recovery.
(https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Access-to-capital-during-the-COVID-19-pandemic.pdf)
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan with respect to wage subsidies, and loans for business related to COVID-19
- Ministry of Transportation, with respect to supporting Canada’s airports requests for additional short-term relief and a longer-term stimulus package as a component of Canada’s overall economic recovery, and to rebuild public confidence in travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Support-for-Canadas-Airports-During-the-COVID-19-Pandemic.pdf
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), with respect to the expansion of allocations.
- Policy and advocacy around women’s economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic in the OCC’s September report “The She-Covery Project” https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/OCC-shecovery-final.pdf): Use procurement to incentivize diversity and inclusion; include women in all decision-making bodies around economic recovery; improve long-term affordability and accessibility of child care; address the shortage of early childhood educators. Explore creative solutions ranging from in-program changes to workplace-based child care; support women’s reskilling; foster an inclusive innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs; consider policy options to encourage more employers to offer flexible work arrangements;
Policies or Program, Regulation
- Ministry of Finance, with respect to access to capital during the COVID-19 pandemic (specifically, supporting asset-based finance lenders offering temporary deferrals on loan and lease repayments, and providing additional liquidity to asset-based finance lenders).
https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Access-to-capital-during-the-COVID-19-pandemic.pdf
Regulation
- Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, with respect to participation on the council (pharmacare advocacy with regard to reforms to pharmaceutical coverage).
- EXCISE ACT, 2001, with respect to reducing cannabis excise taxes for 2020.
- Government procurement as it pertains to small business access and an economic development tool.
- Infrastructure funding and development, specifically with respect to accelerating broadband connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Telecom Order CRTC 2019-288, with respect to new wholesale rates.
Communication Techniques
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Written communication
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Oral communication
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Grass-roots communication
Government Institutions
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
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Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
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Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
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Canada Post Corporation (CPC)
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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
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Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
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Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
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Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
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Export Development Canada (EDC)
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Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
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Finance Canada (FIN)
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Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
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Health Canada (HC)
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House of Commons
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Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
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Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
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PPP Canada
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Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
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Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
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Statistics Canada (StatCan)
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VIA Rail Canada
In-house Organization Details
Description of the organization's activities
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has served as the non-partisan, voice of business in Ontario. Together with 135 member chambers of commerce and boards of trade, the OCC advocates for evidence-based public policies that contribute to a competitive economy and increased prosperity for our communities. This work is based on the belief that strong businesses are the foundation of a prosperous Ontario. The OCC continues to ensure that the issues and concerns of Ontario businesses are not only heard but sufficiently addressed through a strategic and collaborative approach with the Ontario Government.
Responsible officer name and position during the period of this registration
Rocco Rossi,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Organization's membership or classes of membership
The OCC has a large membership that consists of businesses/organizations of all sizes.
"Affiliate Membership" : local chambers of commerce and boards of trade. "Corporate Membership": businesses, associations, individuals who join the Chamber of Commerce directly.
Each of these organizations pay a membership fee to be part of the OCC.
Government funding
End date of the last completed financial year:
2021-12-31
List of Government Funding
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Government Institution
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Funding Received in Last Financial Year
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Funding Expected in Current Financial Year
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Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
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$331,278.00
|
Yes
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Government of Ontario: Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
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$71,142.00
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Yes
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Government of Ontario: Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
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$2,224,740.00
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No
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In-house Organization Contact Information
Address:
180 Dundas Street West #2105
Toronto, ON M5G 1C7
Canada
Telephone number:
647-936-6734
Fax number:
416-482-5879
Lobbyists Details
Lobbyists employed by the organization
- Andrea Carmona,
Manager, Public Affairs |
No public offices held
- Claudia Dessanti,
Senior Policy Analyst |
No public offices held
- Louie Di Palma,
Vice President, Programs |
No public offices held
- Michelle Eaton,
VP, Public Affairs |
Designated public offices held
- Tracy Macgregor,
Vice President, Member Services |
No public offices held
- Daniel Safayeni,
VP, Policy |
No public offices held
