For immediate release November 3, 2021
ONTARIO WELL POSITIONED TO LEAD THE GLOBAL GREEN ECONOMY
The Mississauga Board of Trade and Ontario Chamber of Commerce Kick Off the Ontario Climate Action Series
(Mississauga – November 3, 2021) – The climate crisis is a growing threat to businesses and individuals around the world, but Ontario is well positioned to lead in the global green economy. Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC), the Mississauga Board of Trade and partners kick off the Ontario Climate Action Series with the launch of OCC’s latest policy report: The Climate Catalyst: Ontario’s Leadership in the Green Global Economy. The report offers a window into how organizations in Ontario are confronting climate change and what policymakers can do to encourage more sustainable investment and innovation.
“We must be ready to tackle the challenges of climate change head on,” said Trevor McPherson, President & CEO of the Mississauga Board of Trade, “We already feel the impacts of changing temperatures and climate in Mississauga. While it does pose a threat to communities across Canada and the world, this is an opportunity for us to leverage Ontario’s skilled and innovative labour force to develop concrete solutions to decarbonize our economy and drive us towards a green, clean economy.”
“As Ontario emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we would be remiss to forget about the other systemic threat: climate change,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC. “Its impacts are already being felt across Ontario as extreme weather events disrupt livelihoods, infrastructure, access to natural resources, and community well-being. While confronting climate change is a historic challenge, it also elicits opportunities for innovation, job creation, economic development, and local leadership.”
Taking place from Fall 2021 to Spring 2022, the Series will examine the impacts of climate change on communities & businesses, showcase on-going leadership within Ontario, and encourage governments to unlock further investment and innovation in climate action.
Our main policy recommendations in this report can be summarized under the following themes:
- Minimize uncertainty. Improve predictability around climate policies and long-term energy procurement.
- Mobilize clean energy solutions. Use flexible regulation, risk-sharing partnerships, tax incentives, and Indigenous-led projects to accelerate investments in a suite of low-carbon energy technologies.
- Support cleantech. Invest in research and commercialization, expand skills training, and de-risk private financing for clean technology.
- Strengthen climate adaptation. Coordinate strategies across levels of government, make tangible commitments and investments, and advance Indigenous reconciliation.
“Organizations across Ontario are investing in the kinds of innovation that will advance both decarbonization and long-term economic recovery,” said Claudia Dessanti, Senior Manager of Policy of the OCC. “Our members are uniquely positioned to tackle the climate crisis with made-in-Ontario solutions in all sectors that are a win-win for both the environment and the economy.”
Enormous thanks to OCC’s partners for making this series possible: Ontario Power Generation, CN, SNC-Lavalin, EaRTH District, University of Toronto, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Enbridge and Waste Connections.
Read the report. Learn more about the Ontario Climate Action Series here.
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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.
About the Mississauga Board of Trade
Since being established in 1961, MBOT has played an important leadership role serving and representing the interests of business of all sizes and sectors in our community.
Mississauga is Canada’s sixth largest city and third largest in Ontario – with a population of over 700,000 residents and more than 50,000 businesses employing over 440,000 people, including 60 Fortune 500 Canadian headquarters. Mississauga is where successful companies choose to do business. MBOT’s large, diverse and active membership has made us one of the most vibrant business associations in Canada.
As the “Voice of Business” we advocate on policy issues that impact local business at all levels of government and are influential in helping to shape policy decisions. MBOT also offers a wide variety of valuable business services and professional development programs, networking events and marketing opportunities, to help business grow, prosper, and get connected.
For more information or to arrange an interview:
Trevor McPherson
President & CEO, Mississauga Board of Trade
[email protected] | 905-273-6151 x 350
