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NOACC POLICIES 2007 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SAFETY OF NORTHERN ONTARIO HIGHWAYS
The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce urges the Government of Canada to:
1. Four-lane all highways in Northern Ontario;
2. Redirect, where necessary, routes of the highway in order to improve driver visibility;
3. Erect signs in areas that have high accident rates;
4. Establish rest stops along the highway with appropriate signage indicating the upcoming stops coupled with the signage already in place about not driving tired.
NORTHERN HIGHWAYS
That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
1. Continue on track with the investment in the four-laning of Northern Ontario highways.
2. Provide investment for the construction of much needed transportation corridors in Northern Ontario.
ALLOWING CANADA'S AIRPORTS TO PROSPER
That the federal government:
1. Prevent the bureaucratic re-regulation of Canadian Airports by defeating Bill C-20, as it is a step backward in terms of the Government’s Policy on divested and commercially viable airports;
2. Allow airports to continue to operate under current principles which outline the airports’ mandates, detail their board composition, require forums for community consultation, and provide direct transparency mechanisms for the reporting of financial and operating information to the public; and,
3. Recommit to the values outlined in the 1994 National Airports Policy of airports that are “safe, commercially oriented and cost effective”.
TRANSPORTATION AND ADJUSTED PUBLIC POLICY
Commencement with an adjustment in public policy be made to assist the Northwest via:
1. A Northern adjusted Public Policy Area to be created with sector specific tax incentives associated with green projects (energy and otherwise) plus wood promotion and innovation and commercialization of forestry, energy conservation and biotechnology initiatives.
2. Energy allowance and recognition of the unique separate energy zone and using this economic development tool in the forestry and biotechnological industries
3. Energy Policy as adjusted public policy can be used as an Energy Economic Development tool.
By using energy as an economic development tool for the north, the government can return prosperity to much of the north. Energy can become the economic driver for the area and having a robust, reliable and varied mix of generation sources at reasonable prices; it can help the north attract industry and high tech jobs to our area.
Transportation and Adjusted Policy…continued
The north will also be able to keep current jobs and encourage the extensive development of a mineral rich landscape by the mining sector. With resource based industries thriving other sectors of the economy will also survive and thrive and the reasonably priced excess power can be exported to the rest of province as a made in Canada solution to Ontario’s energy needs.
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT
NOACC urges the Ontario Government:
1. To support Innovation and Commercialization in Northern Ontario and that this be addressed through the Innovation Ministries rather than a part of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.
2. To establish a policy to deal with Northern Ontario the same as Southern Ontario, and not leave the region on the fringe of the new economy. This new economy will be part of Northern Ontario's recovery.
CREATING A NORTHERN ONTARIO ADJUSTED PUBLIC POLICY AREA
NOACC urges the Ontario Government to implement a Northern Adjusted Public Policy Area to provide for a regional tax provision to lower provincial tax rates by reducing the provincial sales taxes, personal income taxes and corporate taxes by 20% for the next ten years to encourage real and broad-based growth for Northwestern Ontario.
THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO
(Forestry Coalition - $45. mwh (all in)
The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Ontario Government to act immediately to implement policies that result in an all in target rate of electricity of $45. mwh for a three-year period as an economic stabilization/development tool for the North. The program should remain in effect until September, 2009. The target rate of $45. mwh (all in) should be inclusive of all generation, transmission and other charges.
WOOD SUPPLY
That the province take immediate steps to implement the recommendations of the Process Streamlining Task Force Report (May 19, 2006).
This report stems from the recommendation of the Minister’s Council on forestry Industry Competitiveness relating to “the need to remove barriers and avoid unnecessary business costs to administrative red tape and delays in approval process”.
That the province review fibre supply in light of recent mill closures with a view to
a) Allowing mills which are still in operation to have access to fibre supply thereby improving security and cost for those mills to stay in operation.
b) Only after cost effective, long term fibre supply for existing mills has been confirmed should surplus fibre be made available to support new initiatives.
• That the province’s long-term wood supply available for harvesting be defined as soon as possible. Until this is completed, ensure that there is an immediate moratorium on reducing wood supply is instituted;
• To ensure that any deferrals or withdrawals beyond those that are already in established guidelines are preceded by consultation with stakeholders and are based on careful analysis of both the socio-economic and environment impacts, we recommend that there be:
• No increase in harvesting fees such as stumpage;
• No regulatory changes resulting in additional costs to the forestry sector;
• No decrease in fibre supply due to legislative, regulatory or policy change.
THE FOREST SECTOR COMPETITIVENESS SECRETARIAT
NOACC recommends that the Province of Ontario, the Northern Development Councils, and the Ministry of Natural Resources extend the life of the Forestry Sector Competitiveness Secretariat past the sunset date. This would allow for the Secretariat to continue receiving input for policy development.
COAL FIRED ENERGY PLANTS
The Northwestern Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
Where it is economically beneficial to do so, retrofit the coal fired facilities with new emission reducing technology to ensure competitively priced electricity for Ontario industry and consumers, maximize electricity supply, and to meet cleaner air targets.
ENERGY AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL
NOACC urges the Government of Ontario:
To support and implement the recommendations of the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors and Northwestern Ontario Municipal Associations Energy Submissions to Adjust Public Policy to enable Northwestern Ontario to use energy as an economic tool to assist and promote the economic recovery of Northwestern Ontario.
PROPOSAL FOR A LONG TERM IMMIGRATION PLAN
TO MAINTAIN A CRITICAL MASS OF POPULATION
Create programs and incentives to attract immigrants:
• That a strategy be developed for encouraging immigration to Northern Ontario
• That needed support services be established to assist new immigrants in adjusting to life in Canada and the North
• In consultation with the federal and provincial governments, that pilot projects be established to encourage immigrants to settle in Northern and rural Canada
• To negotiate an immigration agreement with the federal government that includes incentives for immigrants to settle and remain in Northern Ontario, eg:
• Without lowering the eligibility criteria, allow immigrants willing to settle in Northern Ontario to move up on the waiting list
• Significantly reduce the investment requirement for the investment class immigrant willing to settle in the North; this will also help to address the shortage of venture capital financing available in Northern Ontario, thereby supporting valued-added industries.
• Create support services that encourage immigrants to settle in the North and help municipalities to deal with the added demands that immigration incentive programs might create
• If municipalities so choose, develop tripartite agreements, similar to that in place in Winnipeg to provide incentives and fast-track immigrants to meet skills shortages in Northern Ontario e.g. professionals, entrepreneurs). These agreements would also support initiatives by ethnic communities to attract immigrants to the North.
IMMIGRATION AND BUSINESS SUCCESSION
That immigration processes be accelerated in situations where there are pending opportunities for business succession and economic development.
IMMIGRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
That the Ontario government implement an immigration policy that enhances and encourages immigration in Northern Ontario and that it becomes a funded economic development tool for the regions of Ontario. (See Backgrounder)
And that: The Ontario Government directs the Northern Ministry to include immigration as a major pillar in Northern Ontario Economic development programs; also the NDC system is directed to hold public workshops to investigate the value of immigration for the economic development of Northern Ontario and to receive ideas.
And further that: The appropriate ministries include immigration strategies in all economic development for the North.
EXTENSION OF BILL 124 OR EQUIVALENT
That Bill 124 be extended to include other classifications of workers, particularly truck drivers, skilled trades, and knowledge workers.
INTEGRATING IMMIGRANTS INTO THE ONTARIO WORKFORCE
The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
1. Develop and fund a postsecondary evaluation process model for the integration of immigrants that would encompass a comprehensive suite of programs and services including information access, assessment services, advising and counseling and education and training programs for immigrants, which each postsecondary institution can implement when facilitating the integration of immigrants within the communities they serve.
2. Work with municipalities, settlement agencies, business organizations and other stakeholder groups across the province to develop incentives and supports to industries and municipal governments to enable the resettlement of immigrants throughout the province, and particularly Northwestern Ontario.
MADE IN ONTARIO POLICY
The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
1. Implement a policy for the mass transit industry, where the Province is funding portions of mass transit projects, mandating “Provincial Content Levels”, that still provide competitive pricing and is consistent with NAFTA polices and guidelines, similar to the policy adopted by the Province of Ontario in the road construction industry.
2. Encourage the Federal Government to implement a policy, which is consistent with NAFTA and WTO policies and guidelines, to take into account Canadian content levels for public transportation projects, is specification requirements can be met, to ensure that public funds are used to provide the best value to Canadians.
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE PROVINCE
That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
1. Prorate the level of liability insurance with the level of risk, and the amount of other financial requirements (e.g. performance bonds) to the value of the contract.
2. Incorporate a clause into the terms and conditions to state that:
• Awarding of the contract is subject to the successful bidder having satisfactory insurance coverage; and/or
• Bids must be supported by an “undertaking of insurance letter” from the bidder’s insurance provider confirming their insurability to the level required by the contract.
3. Provide more transparent guidelines and province-wide marketing of the government procurement process.
SUPPORTING APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
1. Extend the existing Ontario “Co-operative Education” tax credit from industries defined as “leading edge technologies” to include all employers participating in apprenticeship training programs.
2. Assess the economic impacts of the tax credit to determine if it is adequate to contribute positively to the desired outcome of reducing the skilled trades shortage.
APPRENTICESHIPS
That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to prioritize, expediate and expand the following to:
1. Sponsor a coordinated effort among all stakeholders to enhance the image of the skilled trades, with our youth, their parents and teachers.
2. Redirect and target funds for technical education in Ontario’s schools, including investing in pupil places, qualified teachers and modern equipment and technology, so that Ontario is positioned to provide world-class programs in technology education.
3. Encourage business to offer experiential learning opportunities for cooperative education students (high school and college/university) and provide new opportunities and incentives to business to participate in providing classroom infrastructure and technical support.
UNITED STATES PASSPORT/TOURIST CARD
1. That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) support the Border Crossing Coalition on this issue both financially and through active lobbying participation. This issue has to be give a top priority with action taken immediately.
2. That NOACC strongly encourage the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) to direct the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to take a lead on this issue until an acceptable solution is obtained.
3. That NOACC actively lobby the relevant Provincial Regulatory bodies to work with the federal government to resolve this issue quickly.
MARKET VALUE ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY TAX
1) That the Ontario Government adhere to the Supreme Court decision and regard Mini-Storage facilities for what they are, rental units for personal property storage, and establish a fair assessment and subsequent taxation as well as classification of Mini-Storage facilities for assessment purposes and further that the notion that the Business Occupancy Tax (BOT) was eliminated, be revised for all Ontario commercial properties, as the BOT is now unnamed but still very much present, and further that:
2) That the Ontario Government Support the Ombudsman recommendations in its report “Getting it Right” and these recommendations be Implemented.
IMPLEMENTING THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (WHTI) AND
MAINTAINING ONTARIO BUSINESS AND COMMERCE
That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to:
1. Continue to work with the federal governments of the United States and Canada to quickly prepare alternative, low-cost, secure travel documents for land border travel to the USA, continuing to pursue the idea of a dual purpose existing document held by citizens.
2. Create an economic tourism strategy that addresses and attempts to mitigate the impact of a decline in American travelers. In the 2007, Ontario Budget allocated significant marketing dollars for cooperative tourism marketing, with enriched support for border community Destination Marketing Organizations, designed to educate US and Ontario citizens on travel to USA and Ontario in 2008.
3. Encourage the federal government to allocate resources to communicate 2008 changes nationally and financially assist provincial efforts.
HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVICE
The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) urges the Government of Ontario to continue to follow through to:
1. Support municipalities, in such a manner as not to be competitive with private sector enterprise, in the building of community based high-speed Internet infrastructure through all means available, including enabling regulation and the funding of infrastructure using such mechanisms as low-interest loans and matching grants.
2. Work with private sector investors to further develop a broadband network and related facilities across Ontario with special emphasis on rural areas.
COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT
That the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC), along with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) make the following recommendations:
1. The Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities (MTCU) should provide specific information on the results achieved by other communities who have undertaken the process. The reports should include:
• What specific initiatives were undertaken to identify impact of job loss?
• What were the recommendations identified to mitigate the impact?
• How were specific economic recovery initiatives funded?
• What were the overall results of the process?
2. MTCU guidelines should be adjusted to include pre-feasibility studies as an eligible expense.
3. Support the action items from the North Superior Training Board (NSTB) June report; the NSTB Community assessment: Impact of closures and Lay offs in the District of Thunder Bay, June 2006; and the NSTB, Moving Forward: Action to Mitigate the District and Community Impacts - Pages 25-29.
4. Support and attend the Adjustment Action Summit Forum, October, 2006
ACTION SUMMIT
NOACC strongly urges the Provincial and Federal Governments to fund a Northwestern Ontario Action Summit as described in the application. This would be a blend with the Pan Northern Economic Development Forum.
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