Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Québec Employers Council and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec Join Forces to Remind Federal Parties That They are Expected to Commit to Natural Resources – The Sooner The Better

Toronto, July 9 2015 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Québec Employers Counciland the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec banded together today at the Toronto Global Forum to underscore the importance of natural resources in the Canadian economy by launching “Why Resources Matter”, a unique visual way to present the economic impact of natural resources.

The organisations reminded federal parties, as they head into the election season, of the urgent need for commitments to support the natural resources sector.

“Canada is fortunate to occupy a territory so rich in natural resources, and is smart to develop them in the sustainable way it does” explained the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “The development of natural resources benefits Canadians and Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions. For instance, Canpotex Limited, a company based in Saskatoon that exports potash offshore, has just ordered an additional 700 custom-designed railcars from National Steel Car in Hamilton, Ontario. This is an example of the success that stems from developing natural resources in an intelligent and conscientious way. Business is doing its part. Now the federal parties have to clearly outline how they will do theirs.”

“As we mentioned in the report we released recently, Les ressources naturelles au Québec: une source naturelle de prospérité, it is necessary to leverage our natural resources into an economic advantage, in Québec and across Canada. However, that must be done in a responsible way, ensuring the respect of the environment, working with the communities these measures could impact and planning for a long-term development” said M. Yves-Thomas Dorval, CEO of the Quebec Employers Council. “While a social dialogue is essential to be entirely cognizant of this fact, we first need to appreciate, at its full value, the positive contribution made by companies in this sector and the potential Canada has to become a veritable world-class leader.” he added.

“We must enhance and broaden public debate on the exploitation of our natural resources » said Stéphane Forget, Vice-President, Strategy and Economic Affairs at the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ). “In order to tangibly increase the economic benefits of developing our natural resources, we must ensure that citizens and communities have a better knowledge of projects, and that these projects are subject to a coherent overview. We thus have a better chance of achieving the social acceptability of projects and increase our collective wealth.”

Canada and its provinces are world leaders in creation and implementation of environmental protection measures. By developing our natural resources responsibly we can increase the positive impacts outlined in the Why Resources Matter infographic launched today. With the federal election looming, the partners gathered today remind the political parties and all Canadians of the need to both protect the environment and promote the economic advantage our natural resources provide us.
About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. Follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.

About the Quebec Employers Council
The Quebec Employers Council brings together many of Québec’s largest companies and the vast majority of sector-based employers’ groups, making it Québec’s sole employer federation. It represents directly and indirectly more than 75,000 employers of all sizes in both the private and public sectors, with operations in Quebec.

About the FCCQ
With its extensive network of more than 140 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) represents over 60,000 businesses and 150,000 businesspeople involved in all sectors of the economy throughout Québec. As the province’s premier business network, the FCCQ serves as both a federation and a provincial chamber of commerce. Its members share a common goal: to foster an innovative and competitive business environment.

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Contact:

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
G. Will Dubreuil,
Director, Public Affairs and Media Relations,
gdubreuil@chamber.ca
Cell: 613.797.1860

Québec Employers Council:
Benjamin Laplatte
Senior Director – Public Affaires and Corporate Development
blaplatte@cpq.qc.ca
Cell. : 438 886-9804

Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Marilyne Marcoux,
Communications Advisor
marilyne.marcoux@fccq.ca
514-844-9571, ext. 3227
Cell: 514-647-4745

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