April 2009

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce recommended to council that the operation of DARTS remain external.

On Wednesday, April 29, members of Parliament defeated a motion regarding the use of replacement workers by federally-regulated employers by a vote of 157 to 119. This motion, forwarded by Bloc Quebecois MP Meili Faille (Vaudreuil-Soulanges), stated that, “the government should introduce in the House no later than October 15, 2009, a bill to amend the Canada Labour Code to prohibit the use of replacement workers in labour disputes falling under the jurisdiction of the federal government while at the same time ensuring that essential services are maintained.” The defeat of this motion was due in large part to a collaborative effort of contacting members of Parliament to let them know how harmful this type of legislation could be to all businesses and all Canadians.

A list of which members of Parliament voted for/against this motion is available at:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Pub=hansard#SOB-2727783

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce applauds to province on the new Southern Ontario Development Agency (SODA). The new economic development agency will have $1 billion to spend over five years to help southern Ontario deal with the future of manufacturing jobs.

The Chamber congratulates members of council and city staff for keeping the average municipal property tax increase down to 1.7 per cent, which is the lowest in over nine years. Particular kudos to the Province of Ontario for the unique $16.5 Million grant to assist with social service costs funding ,which was a key enabler in this success.

While we are somewhat concerned about the now apparent lack of parity between unionized and non-unionized City employees with respect to increases, we do appreciate all of the hard work that all members of Council and staff that has gone into this achievement.The province is proposing a merger between Metrolinx and GO Transit. The proposed board will exclude members of Parliament, the Ontario legislature, government employees and members of municipal councils. This governance structure was initially proposed by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee approximately five years ago.

The Ontario Liberals announced at the Art Gallery of Hamilton they will fund $3 million for a feasibility study to examine rapid transit lines for both the ‘A’ and ‘B’ transportation lines involving bus and rail service. The ‘B’ line is from University Plaza in Dundas to Eastgate Mall in Stoney Creek, while the ‘A’ line is from the Hamilton Airport along Upper James to the waterfront.