Windsor, NS (May 8, 2019) – A coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, supported by the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, today released their pre-election Platform for Growth, and asked all provincial parties to commit, if elected, to including four priority areas for growth and prosperity in their election platforms. The coalition consists of 20 chambers of commerce and boards of trade who collectively represent more than 2,400 businesses across the province.
The coalition believes the next government has a choice to either manage growth or to manage decline and they have unanimously chosen growth as their top priority. Growth in jobs, in population, in public revenues and responsible spending will lead to increased prosperity.
“The latest provincial budget is a not a reprieve, the province needs to make tough decisions that will spur growth because the status quo is not an adequate response to a failing situation.” said Lloyd Hayden, President, Baie Verte Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. “A thriving economy allows us to collectively pay for the things that shape our quality of life–healthcare, education, social services and environmental stewardship. Successful businesses provide jobs and provide governments with the revenues that support services and programs. It’s a simple choice in our minds—the next government must create investment-friendly environment,”
The Platform for Growth coalition has asked all political parties to respond in writing to confirm their commitment to working with the private sector in developing the economic action plan, and to present their views on how best to achieve this vision for sustained economic growth.
Chambers and Boards came together in the fall of 2018 to discuss businesses’ concerns regarding the state of the economy. United in the belief that the role of government is to reduce spending and create a climate which attracts business investment to the province while allowing existing business to grow, they identified four priority areas that require a commitment from government for the province to reach its full potential. The areas include creating a diversified, low cost economy; comprehensive tax reform; efficient and effective government; and making NL the best province to work and live.
“As leaders and problem solvers, we asked ourselves what would help the province develop in these areas, and we agreed the next government must commit to fostering our private sector, our natural resources, our export capacity, our labour force and getting our fiscal house in order if we want to put NL on a lasting path to growth,” says Heather Howard, Executive Director, Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “If government creates the conditions for businesses to grow and prosper, the private sector will respond with investment and innovation in the products and services the market demands.”
