With Ontario Finance Charles Sousa scheduled to present the provincial Budget at Queen’s Park tomorrow, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) presented its thoughts in a formal submission.

The submission outlines key priorities that address the need to eliminate the deficit and establish some much needed regulatory reforms. According to the most recent OCC membership survey, 92 percent of Ontario businesses believe it is important that the government meet its deficit elimination target by 2017-18.

“Eliminating the deficit and reducing the debt should be the government’s top priority,” said OCC President and CEO Allan O’Dette. “The provincial debt is now roughly $300 billion – interest payments on that debt are consuming an ever greater portion of the provincial spend. To ensure Ontario’s future competitiveness, we need to get back to fiscal balance.”

The province’s debt load has prompted credit rating agencies, most notably Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s, to downgrade the outlook for Ontario from stable to negative. This is a growing concern among foreign investors and provincial businesses. The Ontario Chamber Network recognizes that there is an opportunity to address the Province’s fiscal challenge through regulatory reform.

The 2016 Pre-Budget submission further calls on the Province to work more closely with business around the development of the proposed cap and trade system. In fact, 35 percent of respondents from the OCC membership survey are unsure as to how the proposed cap and trade system will impact their bottom line. By directing cap and trade revenues back to efforts that facilitate business transition to a lower carbon economy, the government can ensure that businesses will be able to continue to operate and grow in the province.

“The Ontario Chamber Network applauds the government for demonstrating its commitment to burden reduction through programs such as the Open for Business Initiative. By working together, business and government can ensure that Ontario becomes a global regulatory centre of excellence,” O’Dette added. “With complex issues like cap and trade, for instance, it is important that the provincial government work collaboratively with the business community to ensure a strong economic future for Ontario.”

On behalf of the FCC, Executive Director Arend Kersten recently shared its thoughts on the 2016 Budget in a presentation to Associate Finance Minister Mitzi Hunter at the Hamilton Art Gallery. The FCC submission echoed many of the concerns expressed by the OCC. You can read the FCC submission by clicking HERE.

The 2016 OCC Pre-Budget Submission includes 13 forward-looking recommendations designed to help the province create a stable environment for businesses in Ontario to thrive. You can read the submission by clicking HERE.