"Throne Speech has right priorities": Canadian Chamber of Commerce

OTTAWA, March 3 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the transition in government policy laid out in today's Speech from the Throne. While continuing to promote short-term economic recovery, the government increased its emphasis on Canada's global competitiveness.

The government's commitment to complete its economic stimulus and recovery programs this year while starting to implement a plan to eliminate the federal deficit over the medium term reflects the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's priorities. "While the details will be laid out in tomorrow's budget, the Speech from the Throne states the government's commitment to ensuring our economic recovery continues and to laying the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth through innovation. This is the right approach," said Perrin Beatty, Canadian Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Canadian Chamber hopes that the focus of the speech will help shift the debate from party politics to ensuring Canada's future well-being," concluded Beatty.

Today's Throne Speech and tomorrow's budget provide an opportunity for the government to set out its framework for the future. The Canadian Chamber welcomed the inclusion of key priorities advocated by the Chamber and its nationwide network of local chambers of commerce to promote Canada's prosperity, including completing the economic recovery plan and producing a strategy to achieve a balanced budget through cost containment and improving government efficiencies. In addition, the Canadian Chamber strongly believes enhanced Canadian competitiveness requires greater planning for a digital economy, improved intellectual property rights protection, strengthening small and medium-sized businesses, expanding Canada's international trade, creating a twenty-first century skilled workforce and reducing the regulatory burden for small business and large investments.

Tomorrow (March 4), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's reaction and analysis of the Federal Budget will be available at chamber.ca.

For further information: Kathryn Anderson, Director, Communications and Marketing, Office: [phone] ext.231, Cell: [phone], [email protected]