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The Annual General Meeting & Convention is one of the OCC’s most important events of the year. This years AGM marks the 94th year for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM which will be held at Hamilton, Ontario from May 4th to May 7th, 2006. The AGM is a great opportunity for our Chamber to work together with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on policy priorities and developing an advocacy plan for the year ahead. The Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce submitted two policy resolutions for this year's AGM:

New Nuclear Options for Supply of Electrical Power

Let's Expand the Economic Development Tool Box

CHAMBER PART OF DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON D.C.

On Wednesday, October 25, 2005, Linda Smith, President of the Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce joined a delegation of business leaders that included the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and the City of Windsor to Washington D.C. The delegation met with the congressional Caucus of Northern States representatives to address the issue of the new passport requirements under the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Chamber's Position on the issue:

Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce Response to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

The United States Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. The United States program created to implement the requirements of the law is known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

Chamber Recommendations:

	With respect to the unique-US border relationship, a passport, or a passport-like document, or document issued under a secure frequent traveler program, should not be the only ways for legal travel across our shared border.
	The Chamber believes that we can and should explore other options, as well as improve upon existing alternative documents that make the most sense for our cross-border relationship.
	Since most U.S. and Canadian citizens need to obtain a birth certificate in order to apply for a passport or any of the other border crossing programs it makes sense to suggest a birth certificate along with a government issued form of photo identification such as a driver’s license be deemed as an acceptable alternative to a passport.
	The Chamber supports combined efforts by Michigan and Ontario to develop enhanced driver’s licenses that could also meet Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirements. The Chamber favors a solution that would harmonize the timelines for implementation between the WHTI and the REAL-ID Act.
	The Chamber believes that the deadline of January 1, 2008 for land crossings may not be realistic if we are to put in place any of the proposed solutions. The solutions will have to be tested and they will require a large investment in people, technology and infrastructure to make our border safer and more efficient.
	The Chamber urges a flexible approach to the eventual implementation of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirements according to risk management principles.

ONTARIO TO MATCH EXTENDED DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

October 20, 2005 - Ontario will match the decision by the United States to extend daylight savings time starting in 2007, and is the first province to agree to do so. The Chamber has previously stated that the move to extend daylight hours could lead to energy savings and has welcomed the government move. The local impact would have been significant given the number of citizens crossing the border to work and our reliance on American tourists who support our hospitality and tourism sectors.

Background and Chamber Policy on the issue of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Chamber's media Release October 26, 2005

Chamber's City of Windsor 2006 Pre-Budget Submission - Letter to Mayor Eddie Francis, City Council (June 21, 2005)

Participate in the latest Membership Satisfaction Survey and Volunteer Service Questionnaire

Chamber Calls for Review of Municipal Business Taxation Monday, May 16th, 2005

STRONG NEW MANDATE FOR ONTARIO’S BUSINESS ADVOCATE

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM & Convention

Sarnia, Ontario April 30 – May 1, 2005

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce 93rd Annual AGM & Convention, held in Sarnia, Ontario, On April 30 to May 1, was a success. The Convention was sold out with chamber representation from across the province and there was a record number of policy resolutions debated and discussed at the plenary sessions on April 30.

In total, chambers and OCC policy committees submitted 42 resolutions, and of that a record number of 35 resolutions were adopted on a variety of important provincial business issues including: WSIB coverage, provincial downloading, Ontario Corporate Minimum Tax, Business Education tax rate, fuel tax allocation, drinking water regulations, border congestion, corporate mental health, Ontario’s doctor shortage and many others.

The Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce was successful in approving two policy resolutions at the Convention: Windsor-Detroit Border Crossing Solution – Schwartz Report, and Conservation of Power in Ontario.

Don Marsh, Chair of the Windsor Chamber’s Board of Directors, introduced the two resolutions at the Convention, stressing the importance of the Windsor-Detroit Crossing to the Ontario and Canadian economy and the significant business savings that can be achieved by conservation of electrical power.

Don Marsh latter stated “the chamber network is strong and united on key issues including the border – and that is great news for local business. We are looking forward to working with all levels of government on a number of issues – knowing that the OCC and other chambers and boards from across the province will be standing with us.”

Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce addressed the delegates in Sarnia on April 30th, 2005.

Click here for a copy of the Len Crispino speech

2005 Adopted AGM Resolutions (pdf) (MS Word)

Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce Media Release (May 3, 2005)

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Chamber Comments on 2005 Federal Budget (February 23, 2005)

Chambers of Commerce Support Schwartz Report (January 28, 2005)

Chamber's Media Release on the Schwartz Report (January 21, 2005)

Link here with all Schwartz Report Files

Chamber Makes Presentation to City Council on 2005 City of Windsor Budget (January 17, 2005)

Exemption in Provincial Smoking Legislation for Border Communities (November 18, 2005)

Chamber Supports City Of Windsor’s Improved Budget Process And Calls For Continued Accountability (November 18, 2004)

Chamber's Position on Development Charges (August 30, 2004)

Chamber Welcomes Government Support for Automotive Sector

Chamber Urges All Levels of Government to Expedite Bi-National Planning Process (Media Release, March 30, 2004)

New FDA Regulation - Prior Notice of Imported Food Shipments into the U.S. will start on December 12, 2003. For more information select from the following links:

FDA Fact Sheet

Overview of Prior Notice

Overview of Registration