April 2019 // Local, Provincial, National News & Opportunities //
Aurora Business Network
Local Business Updates
Key updates from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce
2019 Provincial Budget: Rapid Policy Update
On April 11, the Government of Ontario released its 2019 Budget, “ Protecting What Matters Most. ” The following is a summary of key highlights from the perspective of Ontario’s business community.

2020 Buyers' Guide: Book Your Spot!
Stand Out in Aurora!  The Aurora Chamber Buyers' Guide is a popular annual publication offering  cost-effective hyper-local advertising opportunities for members of the local business community. It is the ultimate reference to local businesses, highlighting hundreds of products and services in and around Aurora.
Interested in advertising? 
 Contact Seanna Murray, Member Relations Ambassador, at   ads@aurorachamber.on.ca  or 
 905-727-7262 x22 .
Key Updates from Kyle Peterson, MP Newmarket-Aurora
Federal Budget 2019

Budget 2019: Investing in the Middle Class to Grow Canada's Economy
Key Updates from the Aurora Public Library
Aurora Public Library: Where Your Business is Our Business

Free courses, business events and books to upgrade your skills, increase your knowledge and improve your business success.
Provincial News & Opportunities
Key Updates from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
2019 Provincial Budget

On April 11, the Government of Ontario released its 2019 Budget, “Protecting What Matters Most.”
“We are encouraged by the robust plan for returning the province to a balanced budget, including meaningful action to improve government accountability. This Budget is focused on spending smarter rather than resorting to austerity measures.” – Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. 

Read our statement  and  rapid policy update . Click  here  to read the 2019 provincial budget.  
2019 Cannabis Report

On April 18, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce released their latest policy report, "Supporting Ontario's Budding Cannabis Industry," outlining Ontario’s competitive advantage and how to capitalize on Canada’s first-mover status in this fast-moving industry.

The report focuses on six timely and pressing themes for Ontario’s business community: 
  1. Private retail in Ontario
  2. The supply shortage
  3. Edible cannabis products
  4. The need for greater public education and awareness on cannabis
  5. Recreational cannabis and the workplace
  6. Skills and workforce development

Government of Ontario News
National News & Opportunities
Key Updates from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Cultivating Competitiveness: Turning Agri-food Regulatory Reform Promises into Action   
Canada’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth identified agri-food as a high-potential sector with the ability to generate significant GDP growth and new jobs in Canada.

Dysfunctional regulatory systems are one barrier to growth for agriculture and agri-food companies. The sector is facing new rule changes that will affect how it makes, labels and sells its products including Health Canada’s Front-of-Package labelling proposal.

Regulatory Reform: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Following last month’s federal budget, Finance Minister Bill Morneau defended Canada’s corporate tax regime and cited regulatory issues as a priority for dealing with Canada’s competitiveness problems.

Canada absolutely needs a comprehensive review of our uncompetitive, cumbersome and inefficient tax system. Given the Minister’s post-budget assertion, it is an opportune time to take a quick walk through the good, the bad and the ugly of federal efforts to address Canada’s regulatory competitiveness problem.

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