This blog was written by Isabelle Caron, President and CEO, Biologics Manufacturing Centre The Biologics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) Inc. was established in direct response to the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world grappled with the devastating impacts of the virus, the urgent need for reliable and secure biomanufacturing capabilities became abundantly clear. The BMC is dedicated to ensuring the continued production of vital vaccines and biologics within Canada. Our organization is built upon a foundation of excellence in Good Manufacturing Practice ..read more

On April 10, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Export Development Canada (EDC), hosted the “Gateway to the Indo-Pacific” event in Montreal, Quebec. The event served as a dynamic forum for delving into the diverse business prospects within this rapidly growing region. With a focus on key sectors such as agri-food, infrastructure, clean technology and advanced manufacturing, the event highlighted the vast potential available to Canadian businesses looking to expand their horizons. Fireside Chat: Why Ind ..read more

On April 10, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director, Manufacturing and Value Chains, Alex Greco, appeared before the OGGO Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, to highlight the pressing issue of regulatory burden on Canadian businesses. While Canada was ranked 4th in the world for ease of doing business in 2006, it has since slipped to 23rd (as of 2020), primarily due to the increasing burden of government regulations. This stifling regulatory environment, now ranked 53rd globally, is impeding economic growth and investment. We need a more ambitious approach fr ..read more

The international need for critical minerals is huge. Global investment in the next decade will be measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars. But while returns can be substantial, mining and minerals projects are generally seen as high-risk investments since most exploration projects never generate revenue. To encourage and support this important industry, investment incentives are a necessary measure. Canada has inherent advantages in the critical minerals space — world-leading deposits of critical minerals, good governance, clean energy and social cohesion. However, prior to the develo ..read more

In 2022, imports and exports accounted for two-thirds of our gross domestic product (GDP). That’s why the decisions we make on trade will affect our prosperity, our quality of life and opportunities for Canadian businesses. Recently, global crises have caused governments to focus on strengthening international supply chains and economic ties with partner countries. This shift presents a significant opportunity for Canada to unleash its trading potential and meet the global demand for essential goods. We have strategic advantages in areas such as energy, critical minerals, fertilizers and agri ..read more

The Indo-Pacific region presents Canadian businesses with compelling opportunities for global expansion. Spanning from the eastern shores of Africa to the western coast of the Americas, this dynamic region is a goldmine of diverse markets waiting to be tapped. As Canadian businesses look to diversify and grow, here are five reasons why expanding to the Indo-Pacific should be a top priority: Vast Market Potential: The Indo-Pacific region is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, including China, Japan, South Korea and India. With a burgeoning middle class and increasing ..read more

This blog was provided by our partners at Suncor. Don’t be surprised if you pull into your local Petro-Canada station only to see a “Building for the future” sign posted, more commonly known as “Closed for renovations.”  “The Petro-Canada station where I often stop is being re-built from the ground up,” notes Colleen Gray, an executive assistant at Suncor who frequents a station on Macleod Trail, a busy route in Calgary. “I’m excited to see the changes.”  Just like popular renovation shows where homeowners make changes to maximize their home’s space and add functionality, many Petr ..read more

On March 20, the Canadian Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, Matthew Holmes and Senior Director, Fiscal and Financial Services Policy, Jessica Brandon-Jepp appeared before the Senate Committee on National Finance to address Bill C-59. They emphasized the importance of Canada’s economic competitiveness and productivity — noting that Canada’s productivity has declined in 11 of the last 12 quarters — and highlighted the need for businesses to be viewed as critical partners in driving investment and growth to address these challenges. Focusing their comments on com ..read more

The federal budget sets the economic tone for the year — but before it’s released, Canadians have an opportunity to share their ideas on what should be prioritized in pre-budget consultations. These consultations can be as simple as an individual answering a questionnaire or as in-depth as an organization sending a formal written submission. Pre-budget submissions are important because government needs to hear from stakeholders who have real-world experience in the day-to-day function of the economy. Each year, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of our broader membership of 200,000 C ..read more

In 2022, inflation spiked at over 8% — the highest it’s been in the last 40 years. Because of this overshoot, consumer prices in Canada are now 7% higher than they would have been if inflation had grown at the 2% target rate since the start of the pandemic. According to a new report from the Business Data Lab (BDL), the result is that homeowners, consumers and business owners across the country are feeling the squeeze of high interest rates and housing and energy costs. The report, Getting Squeezed: The Impact of Rising Prices for Housing and Energy, Interest Rates and Costs on Canadian Consum ..read more