May 2013 - The Thunder Bay Chamber submitted two resolutions for consideration at the conference and was successful in having both resolutions adopted as OCC policy. The two resolutions brought forward by your local Chamber were:

Reforming Ontario’s Apprenticeship System

In order to build a 21st century workforce, the Government of Ontario needs a competitive apprenticeship program to attract and retain skilled trades workers. The resolution recommends: implementation of a 1:1 journeymen to apprentice ratio; a five-year pilot project in Northern Ontario that would allow a 1:3 journeymen to apprentice ratio; and, coordination of federal and provincial funding initiatives to meet skilled labour demands through education and incentives for employers

The Far North Act was passed by the Provincial Government in the fall, 2010. It set aside “at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North in an interconnected network of protected areas” which represents 50% of the land under review. The resolution recommends: repeal the Far North Act immediately; and set up an appropriately resourced process through the Ministry of Northern Development & Mines, including official representatives of government, First Nations and industry, to consider how to address the issues of enhanced planning and sustainability without the arbitrary removal of 50% of the land base.