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Issue: #5

This past weekend in St. Catharines, Ontario, members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) debated and determined the advocacy agenda that our Network will move forward in the coming years.

In this issue of Focus, the OCC presents you with the full compendium of approved policy resolutions as voted upon at the AGM, and how they feed into Our Collective Ambition as a Network of business advocates. Using Emerging Stronger: A Transformative Agenda for Ontario as the foundational document, our goal is for businesses and communities across Ontario to embrace this economic vision for the province.

In provincial news, Cliffs Natural Resources has announced a $3.3 billion investment in the Ring of Fire, former Progressive Conservative MPP Elizabeth Witmer has been nominated for the Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the final report on the WSIB funding review has been released (see Policy News section).

Wrapping up this issue of Focus is the launch of a Regional Economic Leadership Series that will engage communities across the province and inform a collective economic agenda to be discussed at the Ontario Economic Summit being held November 6-8, 2012 (see Events & Announcements section).

ONTARIO'S BUSINESS ADVOCATE 

Many thanks to our members who submitted, defended and voted on a robust set of policy resolutions at this year's AGM. Noted as a highlight of the event, the policy debate was a lively one this year as participants gave the green light to 31 resolutions.

More information on the AGM debate and compendium of approved policy resolutions can be found on the OCC website.

Our Collective Ambition

The OCC and its members took some time at the AGM in St. Catharines to rally around a new Collective Ambition, which uses Emerging Stronger: A Transformative Agenda for Ontario as the foundation for a long term economic vision for the province.

OCC members are taking the five priorities of innovation and productivity, skilled workforce, fiscal imbalance, taking advantage of global opportunities and identifying Ontario's competitive advantages, back to their individual communities across the province to find ways to capitalize upon, and lead in, these issue areas.

More information on Our Collective Ambition can be found on the OCC website.

Investment Announced for Ring of Fire

Cliffs Natural Resources has announced a $3.3 billion investment to build a chromite mine, transportation corridor and processing facility in Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire.

This announcement will result in new jobs and infrastructure as well as economic prosperity for the region, and the province at large.

More information on the Ring of Fire announcement can be found on the OCC website.

WSIB Funding Review: Final Report Released

More information on the WSIB Funding Review report can be found on the OCC website. 

Elizabeth Witmer Nominated to WSIB

Elizabeth Witmer has been nominated by Premier Dalton McGuinty as the new chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. If appointed, she would take over for out-going chair Steve Mahoney, who announced his retirement in March.

More information on Elizabeth Witmer's nomination can be found on the OCC website.