Montréal, August 22, 2019 – Today, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal unveiled the Montréal business community’s priorities as the beginning of the federal election campaign approaches.
“Montréal’s economy is doing well. Business investments and confidence indices are on the rise, while the unemployment rate is at the lowest point we have seen in decades. The next Canadian government will have to act decisively to ensure that Canada's economy and that of Montréal’s metropolitan region can continue to build on this momentum. The labour shortage, combined with the challenges of productivity and innovation, is the main obstacle to the growth of the city's businesses. The Chamber therefore stresses the importance of ensuring a competitive and agile business environment for our companies and workers. Additionally, the modernization of Montréal’s infrastructure is a priority to improve the productivity of our economy,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
In response to these observations, the business community has identified priorities organized into six main themes. The Chamber has 13 requests for the various political parties to support Montréal’s prosperity:
Support four strategic issues for Greater Montréal
- Commit to contributing $350 million over the course of the next mandate towards the decontamination and economic rehabilitation of eastern Montréal’s industrial areas.
- Support the growth of the Port of Montreal and ensure that it has access to the financing required to carry out the Contrecoeur terminal expansion project.
- Make Canadian airport financing more flexible by opening the door to private partners up to a maximum of 20% of the capital.
- Ensure the rapid execution of the high frequency rail project between Québec City and Windsor.
Promote competitive taxation and clean up public finances
- Improve the competitiveness of the Canadian tax environment and lower corporate taxes so that they are lower than those in the United States.
- Systematically levy sales taxes on products and services purchased online, including digital content. Otherwise, exempt all e-transactions from these taxes.
- Adopt a plan to balance the budget within the next four years that includes intermediary targets.
Support innovation and digital transformation in business
- Maintain the Innovation Superclusters Initiative and maximize its effects through a Canadian economic development strategy that includes support programs for the adoption of artificial intelligence, particularly in SMEs.
- Accelerate investment in 5G technology across Canada and support the deployment of cutting-edge digital infrastructure.
- Increase the number of temporary workers that meet the needs of the job market and reinforce measures that facilitate the transition from temporary to permanent status in collaboration with the provinces.
Stimulate domestic trade
- Adopt an ambitious domestic trade acceleration strategy and remove barriers to interprovincial trade.
Accelerate the transition to clean energy
- Increase support to companies that are working in the green technology sector and participating in efforts to decarbonize the Canadian economy.
- Maintain a carbon tax system and use the revenue generated by the fight against climate change to finance clean energy transition efforts.
The full recommendations can be found here
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)
With a network of over 7,500 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montréal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city’s businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM’s goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.
Sources:
Julie Serero
Advisor, Media Relations
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514-871-4000, Ext. 4042
jserero@ccmm.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal
Twitter: @chambremontreal
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