Canadian Chamber of Commerce puts forth agenda for next federal government

OTTAWA – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is urging the next federal government to implement a suite of initiatives, including changes to the Canada Pension Plan and the adoption of a national carbon tax aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions within 35 years.

The business organization, which represents chambers and boards of trade across the country, says the policy changes were part of 49 resolutions adopted at its annual meeting over the weekend.

It’s calling on the federal government to work with provinces on a new tax, or legal limit, that would lead to a “substantial reduction” in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, though the chamber didn’t provide any specific goals in its announcement.

The chamber is also pushing for reforms to the Canada Pension Plan that would let employees contribute higher amounts.

It is also asking for “favourable conditions” to support TransCanada’s Energy East Pipeline, a proposed development that would have the capacity to transport 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta to refineries and ports in Eastern Canada.

Among the other resolutions was support to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership and an initiative to streamline applications under the federal temporary foreign workers program.

“We expect the new government to put Canada’s competitiveness at the top of its list of priorities,” said chamber president and CEO Perrin Beatty in a statement.

“With these new resolutions that cover a wide array of topics, we’re ready to present the priorities of the business community to the new government.”