Local & Regional
The Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) is the voice of business at the City of Mississauga and Region of Peel orders of government.
COVID19 Response
Given the situation that the COVID19 pandemic is essentially over, operations at the City of Mississauga and Region of Peel are back to normal. Buildings and facilities have re-opened with little restriction and support programs for businesses and residents have ended.
The pandemic has some longer lasting effects such as a dramatic reduction in transit fare revenue for MiWay resulting in all orders of Government providing financial assistance to ensure the system can operate on reduced ridership for the foreseeable future.
Peel Public Health continue with vaccine clinics available to increase the vaccination rate within the community. Over 85% of people eligible for a vaccine 5 years and older have been vaccinated in the Region of Peel.
Mandatory Face Covering By-law
The City of Mississauga is expected to end the indoor mandatory face covering by-law on or before March 31, 2022.
Outdoor Business Operations, Patios & Signs
Mississauga City Council has approved an extension to both the temporary patio and temporary outdoor business programs until December 31, 2023. These program extensions will allow Mississauga restaurants and bars to continue using their patios and other outdoor businesses to use outdoor spaces as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mississauga Official Plan Review
The City of Mississauga is conducting a formal review of its Official Plan and Policies as required by law. The Mississauga Board of Trade continues to advocate for the protection of important employment lands in the city to ensure they are not lost to future residential development.
The City is also reviewing and updating its Development Charges By-law, Community Benefits by-law and Parks Plan/Payment in lieu of Parkland policy. Each of these revenue tools for the City of Mississauga are required for new developments and designed to fund important infrastructure related to the developments.
Major Public Transit Funding
On March 4, 2022 the Federal, Provincial and Mississauga governments announced major funding to support the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit project, make upgrades to other transit routes and purchase 358 second-generation hybrid busses that will replace the existing diesel-powered vehicles.
IDEA Innovation District
The City of Mississauga has announced the creation of an Innovation District called “IDEA Mississauga” that will include a new innovation centre to be built in Square One with an opening planned for late Fall 2022. However, IDEA Mississauga does not represent one specific location in Mississauga – rather, it represents the city’s entire ecosystem made up of industry, government, education, and providers of space and programs that support innovation.
Small Business Tax Sub-class
Peel Region Council has decided not to adopt the small business tax sub-class rate for 2022. This would have provided a lower property tax rate for “small” business but would have passed that reduction onto “large” business in the form of a property tax increase. MBOT continues to monitor this issue and work the staff at the Region of Peel as they continue to examine the situation.
Provincial Government
MBOT works very closely with our partners at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) on issues with the Ontario Government. Our Committees work hard looking at resolutions, policy documents, government announcements on consultations to ensure the voice of Mississauga businesses is advanced on provincial issues. Members of MBOT are automatic members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the OCC, please visit www.occ.ca.
Ontario’s Roadmap to Re-open
As of March 1, 2022, most restrictions around COVID pertaining to business operations ended in the Province of Ontario. Some capacity restrictions and distancing guidelines remain so businesses should be aware of how these affect their particular situation.
The Government has lifted the mandatory Proof of Vaccination requirements in all business settings but has allowed businesses the right to “voluntarily” continue the practice.
Further, many businesses have begun a back to the office working environment while many have adopted a hybrid working model depending on their circumstances.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has called for public policies that support business predictability, stability and growth, including through a safe and sustainable reopening.
Fewer Fees, Better Services Act
Ontario has passed this Bill into law that once again removes many unnecessary regulations and red tape but also has eliminated the $120/year vehicle license fee and eliminated tolls on Highways 412 and 418 in Durham.
Significant Labour Reforms Implemented in Ontario
Through the Working for Workers Act 1 and 2, the Ontario Government has enacted several worker protection regulations which employers should be concerned about. These include:
- require workplaces that are at risk of a worker opioid overdose to have naloxone kits
- paying the minimum wage to anyone employed in the “gig” economy
- establishing a “disconnect” policy for workers
- banning non-compete agreements
- mandatory licensing of employment recruiters and temporary employment agencies
- increasing the general minimum wage on January 1, 2022 to $15.00/hour for all workers
The Government is also working on improving training for skilled workers, making it easier to recruit foreign trained workers and speeding up credential recognition to help with the Province’s labour gap challenges.
Intellectual Property Ontario
The Government of Ontario is establishing Intellectual Property Ontario. The new board-governed agency will serve as a go-to resource for Intellectual Property (IP) expertise to help researchers and companies maximize the value of their IP, strengthen their capacity to grow and compete in the global market.
Provincial Election
A General Election in Ontario is expected on Thursday, June 2, 2022 with the campaign beginning on or before May 5, 2022. The Ontario Chamber Network has continued its interaction with all the Political Parties so they understand the issues and concerns of business. MBOT will hold an All-Party debate on May 26, 2022 to address Mississauga based issues to the representatives of the parties.
Federal Government
MBOT members are also members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) which is the national voice of business to the federal government. MBOT staff and Committees examine issues and resolutions of the CCC and provide Mississauga’s input. More information on the CCC is at www.chamber.ca.
COVID19 Federal Response
The Government of Canada has established and renewed several support programs for both businesses and workers to provide financial assistance. The programs that continue to provide financial support are generally those for the “hardest hit” sectors that continue to have very significant recovery challenges. To find out more about these programs, go to www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#businesses
Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Government of Canada has established the Canada Digital Adoption Program to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) realize their full potential by adopting digital technologies. The $4 billion program is an investment of $1.4 billion in grants and advisory services to SMEs from the Government of Canada and up to $2.6 billion in loans from the Business Development Bank of Canada to help businesses cover the costs of implementing new digital technologies. For more information go to www.ic.gc.ca.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The situation in Ukraine made the Government of Canada and the Canadian business community respond to the unprovoked attack on Ukraine by Russia. Many economic and trade sanctions have been imposed including the issuing of Certificates of Origin for exports to Ukraine which is a service MBOT provides.
“The Canadian Chamber is dismayed and saddened to see the unprovoked further incursion by Russia into Ukraine. The recent actions by the Russian government strike at the rule of law and international norms which are the foundations of our democratic societies and our economic system. We support efforts by Canada and its allies to find an urgent resolution to the conflict. We also express our solidarity with the Ukrainian business community during these tragic times for their country.”
