The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8 in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, F eb ru ar y 15 , 2 01 8 | NEWS Provincial policies creating climate of low confidence among businesses: report DAVID LEA dlea@oakvillebeaver.com Oakville Chamber of Commerce says Province's policies are creating a cli­ mate of low confidence among businesses in Onta­ rio. The local chamber, in partnership with the Onta­ rio Chamber of Commerce, recently released its sec­ ond annual Ontario Eco­ nomic Report (OER). Chamber staff said the report looked at the Onta­ rio Chamber's Business Confidence Survey con­ ducted by Fresh Intelli­ gence, a Business Prosper­ ity Index developed by the Canadian Centre for Eco­ nomic Analysis (CAN- CEA), and a 2018 Economic Outlook prepared by BMO Financial Group. The report claims: • Businesses are losing confidence in Ontario's economy pointing out that in 2012, 47 per cent of busi­ nesses reported they were confident in Ontario's eco­ nomic outlook. That figure is now down to 23 per cent. • Nearly two-thirds of businesses cite input costs, including the price of elec­ tricity, taxes and the in­ crease in the minimum wage, for their lack of con­ fidence. Another 31 per cent named declining con­ sumer demand or chang- ing client behaviour as their reasons for losing confidence. • One quarter of small businesses in Ontario pro­ ject declining revenue in 2018, which the Oakville • See OCC, page 21 PREPARING DRIVERS FOR CANADIAN WINTERS SINCE 1970 Join 1.3 m illion grads in a trad ition of excellence. Don't m iss the season! Enrol in a driv ing course th is w inter. Text YDOAKVILLEBEAVER to 5 8 8 8 8 fo r dates. YD.COM I (905)842-6846 312-345 Lakeshore Rd. East, Oakville I 107-180 Oak Park Blvd., Oakville YOUNG , DRIVERS CAPTAIN FIRE 'department' JOB. N E E D O N E ? Meet an Employment Advisor for FREE customized job search services including career assessments, career planning, resume and interview tips and ways to connect with local employers. 465 MORDEN RD, SU ITE 109, OAKVILLE (one block W of Dorval Dr and N of Speers Rd) 905.845.1157 thecentre.on.ca f o r S k i l ls D e v e lo p m e n t & T r a in in g mailto:dlea@oakvillebeaver.com DAVID LEA YD.COM I (905)842-6846 312-345 Lakeshore Rd. East, Oakville I 107-180 Oak Park Blvd., Oakville YOUNG , DRIVERS 905.845.1157 thecentre.on.ca