2021 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission

We’re approaching the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario and many of our businesses are still struggling, with some unable to access government funding and support programs.

 

Through the Ontario Chamber Network’s prebudget submission, we are calling on the Ontario government to focus on the revival of small business and entrepreneurship. We urge the government to address pain points and lay the groundwork for a strong rebound as the province grapples with the economic fallout of the crisis.

 

Although our members have adapted to ongoing public health restrictions through the COVID-19 pandemic with resilience and creativity, some have had to restructure and others will face possible closure due to liquidity shortages.  To that end, as we enter a period of economic recovery, access to capital will be fundamental to the rebound of small businesses and entrepreneurship.

 

Over the past year, the Oakville Chamber’s Government Relations & Advocacy committee launched A Roadmap for a “Smart” Oakville and introduced policy resolutions at the Federal and Provincial Chamber Annual General Meetings. We are encouraged to see this work acknowledged and reflected in this submission, with the ask to make Ontario a leader in smart government.

 

The Oakville Chamber looks forward to working with the provincial government to ensure that we continue to minimize the impact of business closures and target support to those hit hardest by the pandemic, including businesses that have opened in the past year and have been excluded from many of the support programs.

 

Read the pre-budget submission.