We are committed to championing policies that support the success of our members and the broader business community. Our policy team focuses on the issues that directly impact businesses, working closely with lawmakers, government agencies, and community leaders to drive positive change.
Business advocacy is at the forefront of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce mandate.
The Advocacy Committee monitors and positively influences Municipal, Provincial, and Federal affairs, including taxation, government spending, regulations, and business programming, as well as any matter relating to business retention and expansion in the Brockville area.
April 2025
Co-Sponsored 16 Policy Resolutions at the Ontario Chamber’s Annual General Meeting:
COMPETITIVENESS
#1 – In the Spirit of Business
FISCAL/TAXATION
#2 – Tax Rebates for Home Care
#3 – Fair Property Tax Ratios
INFRASTRUCTURE/TRANSPORTATION
#4 – Long-Term Infrastructure Funding for Water, Wastewater, Electrical Systems, and Roadways
HOUSING
#5 – Maximizing Growth in Built Areas
#6 – Building Faster Fund and Housing Starts: Strong Mayors Don’t Pour Foundations
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
#7 – Small Vessel Marine Trades: Electrician, Service Technician, and Training Expansion
#8 – Invest in Workforce Planning Boards
#9 – Permanent Residency Competitiveness
#10 – Community College Funding
SPECIAL ISSUES
#11 – Centralized Portal for Ontario Government Funding Access
HEALTH / MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS
#12 – Diversifying Healthcare to Ease ER and Family Doctor Burdens
#13 – Detox Centres: A Collaborative Approach to Mental Health, Addictions, and Homelessness
#14 – Real-Time Data on Cost of Homelessness
#15 – Improved Access to Family Medicine
#16 – Addressing Ontario’s Addictions, Homelessness, and Mental Health Crisis
Compendium-of-Policy-Resolutions-2025-2028 – highlighted co-sponsored
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March 2025
Letter to Planning and Development Committee Regarding Development Charge Increase
You can read the letter below.
Letter to Planning & Development Committee – re DC
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March 2025
Endorsed Letter to Hon. Nolan Quinn Regarding Urgent Need for Investment in Ontario’s Post Secondary Education
You can read the number below.
Letter to Hon. Nolan Quinn – re Urgent Need for Strategic Investment in Ontario’s Post Secondary Education System – March 19, 2025
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March 2025
Results from the General Business Impact Survey Regarding U.S. Tariffs Sent to our Members
You can view the numbers below.
General Business Impact Survey regarding US Tariffs
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February 2025
Brockville Business Tariff Support Page
We have created a comprehensive webpage containing relevant articles, resources, and videos regarding the tariff situation. This webpage will be updated as the situation progresses.
You can view the webpage here.
December 2024
Letter to MP Michael Barrett Regarding Canada Post Strike
The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce wrote to our MP Michael Barrett regarding the Canada Post strike and how it has affected families and businesses in our community.
You can read the letter here.
November 2024
Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau Urging Delay to IRCC PGWP (Post Grad Work Permit)
The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau regarding concerns with the federal government’s recent reforms to the Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP) program.
You can read the letter here.
You can read the response letter for the Honourable Marc Miller – Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
November 2024
Letter to Ministers MacKinnon and Anand Regarding the Shutdown of British Columbia Ports
The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce was part of a letter written to Ministers MacKinnon and Anand Regarding the Shutdown of British Columbia Ports alongside several other Chambers and organizations across Canada.
You can read the letter here.
August 2024
Letter to MP Barrett: Potential Labour Disruption in Class I Railways
The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to MP Barrett regarding the potential labour disruption in Class I railways and examples of how business sectors will be affected.
You can read the letter here.
May 2024
Joint Letter to Ministers: Potential Labour Disruption in Class I Railways
The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce supported the Canadian Chamber of Commerce with this letter to Ministers O’Regan Jr. and Rodriguez.
You can read the letter here.
April 2024
Co-sponsored Five Policy Resolutions at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting
Proposed Policy Resolution #6- Building Faster Fund and Housing Starts: Strong Mayors don’t pour foundations
Proposed Policy Resolution #8- Enforcing Fair Property Tax Ratios
Proposed Policy Resolution #10- Establishment of Small Vessel Marine Trades in Ontario to include Marine Electrician, Service Technician, and the overall expansion for Marine Training Certifications across Ontario
Proposed Policy Resolution # 17- Making Ontario more Competitive for Permanent Residency
Proposed Policy Resolution #18- Maximizing Growth in Built Areas
You can read the full OCC Proposed Policy Resolutions Compendium here.
March 2024
Letter of Support for Proposed Amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law 36-46 King Street West
The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce’s advocacy committee submitted a letter of support to the City of Brockville in support of the proposed redevelopment project in the City of Brockville, which entails the construction of a 9-storey mixed-use building.
You can read the letter of support here.
February 2024
Survey #2 Regarding CEBA Loans and the Impact Post-Repayment Deadline
You may view the survey here.
November 2023
Survey Results on Homelessness and Drug Crisis Impact on Businesses
Thank you to the businesses who participated in the survey regarding the impact of the current homelessness and drug crisis on business.
The survey results can now be accessed, and Executive Director Pam Robertson has since met with the Mayor and City Manager to discuss further steps.
We are also working with the Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit regarding sharps waste protocol for businesses.
You may view the results here.
October 2023
Survey Regarding Homelessness and Drug Crisis
The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce sent out a survey with the goal of better advocating for all businesses, members and non-members.
The goal is to bring the feedback from businesses to City Council, the Joint Services Committee, and Provincial Representatives for action and review.
You may view the survey here.
August 29, 2023
Survey #1 Regarding CEBA Loans and the Impact on Businesses
You may view the survey here.
July 24, 2023
Industry Associations Call for More Time to Repay CEBA Loans
Please click here to view the letter to The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister. The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce was proud to rally amongst Industry Associations to extend CEBA loans to 2025.
The Chamber sent out a survey asking businesses how the CEBA loans affected their business, if they were aware of certain repayment rules, and if they were aware of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts.
You may view the survey here.
You may watch the interview here.
April 2023
Co-Sponsored Policy Resolutions at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting
- Proposed Policy Resolution #12 – Diversifying healthcare to ease the burden on Emergency Rooms and family doctors
- Proposed Policy Resolution #21 – In the Spirit of Business
- Proposed Policy Resolution #23 – Invest in Workforce Planning Boards
- Proposed Policy Resolution #34 – Strengthen Connectivity Between Businesses and Post-Secondary Institutions
- Proposed Policy Resolution #40 – Supporting Safer and Healthier communities through a Detox Centre in a collaborative approach when dealing with those experiencing Homelessness, Mental Health and Addictions
- Proposed Policy Resolution #41 – Tax Rebates for Home Care
Please click here to read more regarding the Issue, Background and Recommendations for the Ontario Chamber.
October 2022
Letter to Commissioner Regarding the Redrawing of Federal Boundaries
You can read the letter here.
