Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to the great city of Oshawa. As the mayor would say, prepare to be amazed.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Oshawa. My name, as you know, is Bob Malcolmson. I'm the CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. As the voice of business, the chamber is growing by leaps and bounds as well. We have over 890 businesses that represent 50,000 employees in Durham region.
The chamber is pleased that the industry, science and technology committee is taking the time to examine the challenges that the Canadian manufacturing sector, and in particular the Durham region, is currently facing.
From the perspective of our membership, it is important that the government send positive signals to investors who want to do business here in Canada, and Durham region is open for business. This includes those investors who wish to invest in the manufacturing facilities in Canada.
For the Canadian manufacturing sector and their businesses, in response to the challenges they face in the global marketplace in the future, competitiveness and growth in the manufacturing sector will depend on a number of key issues, such as productivity improvements, innovation, and skills development.
Durham region and the Durham business community completed a conference that brought together senior executives and decision-makers from business, academia, labour, and government to discuss the future opportunities to spur economic development in Durham region. The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce was certainly proud to be a part of the process.
While we understand the government is focussing on its key priority issues in the short term, the chamber and its members also need to look at the economy from a long-term macro perspective and begin addressing the productivity challenges we face in Canada. The government can boost productivity by putting measures in place to promote an incentive to work, save, and invest.
During your deliberations, we ask that you consider the Canadian Chamber of Commerce recommendations that were presented to the committee: create more favourable conditions for growth that is productivity led; raise the standard of living for all Canadians for years to come; and focus the government's attention on fiscal policy, Canada-U.S. relations, and, in particular, border and security issues.
I understand you're going to the Detroit-Windsor border. It is key to this area here. We hope you will certainly have a good long look at that, as well as external and internal trade barriers, the regulatory environment, a skilled and qualified workforce, infrastructure, energy, and the environment.
As I said, on behalf of the 890 businesses, my board of directors, and president, I welcome you to Oshawa. I know your stay is short. I wish it were longer, because we'd love to show you around our great city.
Thank you very much.