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a bid mber 15, 2022 | 5 3 a insidehalton.com OPINION OUR ECONOMIC WISH LIST FOR 2023 g CHAMBER SETS OUT & BLUEPRINT FOR 2 STRONG, > SUSTAINABLE & GROWTH, WRITES FAYE LYONS As 2022 wraps up with fecord inflation and a ming recession, we at the Oakville Chamber together with the Canadi- an Chamber of Commerce —continue our call for the federal government to lay- lueprint to create sustainable eco- We ask our political lead- ers and decision-makers to prioritize and execute on policies that set a clear path for growth in 20: Reducing red-1 Ataped isone FAYE LYONS Column of the most cost-effecti “We have the tools needed to move forward, working together to create strong vibrant communities.” The Oakville Chamber and the business commu- nity understand the need for to ad- tools to boost economic productivity. We are en- couraged to see the provin- cial government signal a renewed fo focus on high-im- pact such as barriers, which ‘currently deter in. vestment i in Ontario. Consultation will be crit- ical to the success of these reforms and to that end the Oakville Chamber looks for- ward to participating in this important discussion. dress job vacancies. Policy- makers will need to take action to address skills mismatches and future workforce needs. This should include working with employers and post-secondary insti- tutions to narrow the digi- tal skills gap, advance skilled trades and tap into youth and immigrant tal- ent pipelines. Immigration must be an important part of the strategy to address the labour Canada so des- perately needs. While boosting immi- gration alone is not a silver bullet solution to our la- bour shortages, it is a crit- ical part of the equation that must be addresse along with critical infra- icture in transporta- tionand housing. Newcom- ers bring diversity, thought and innovation that is crit- ical to Ontario's competi- tive advantage. that end, we look for- details sur- province and the federal government, which is ex- pected to include some addi- tional control over econom- ic immigration within the rovince and anewincrease to the Ontario i it Nominee Program (OINP). Locally, the mber will continue its advocacy efforts in getting two inte- 1 transportation pro- jects built, the Kerr Street underpass and the Royal Windsor interchang The indefinite deferral of the Kerr Street under- pass is not consistent with the province's plans to in- vest in infrastructure and transportation networks as part of the plan to in- crease growth and the sup- ply of housing. To accommodate for fu- ire growth mandated by the province, making Mid- strongly urges the prov- ince to make these neces- sary infrastructure pro- jects a priority by allocat- ing the appropriate fund- ing. road improvements will create jobs and provide conges- tion relief for the efficient movement of goods, servic- es and people. {finally aiven the head- our my cur- wae faces, m we ewill contin- ue our call on governments from all levels to collabo- rate for economic growth and stability. The Oakville Chamber believes we have the tools needed to move forward, working together to create strong vibrant communi- ties. town a reality is only possi- Faye Lyons is the vice- ble by accelerating the president Of: ‘government the advocacy for Royal Windsor inter. change among other im- provements. The Oakville Chamber the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at faye@oakvil- lechamber.com. A YEAR OF CHANGE AHEAD TACKLING THE HOUSING ISSUE A TOP PRIORITY FOR 2023, WRITES ROB BURTON yeaa promises to be a ar of gearing up for in- pote to Ontario's hous- ing supply, along with in- oe clarity from the ial government thou 1 its plan to solve On- ROB BURTON Column tario's housing supply is- sues. the new year, we will set our town and regional municipal budgets and re- a UCU YK sirticses reswrosn crinea EARN 5.0%" INTEREST FOR 20 MONTHS UCU— THE CREDIT UNION THAT HELPS YOU BUILD A BRIGHTER FINANCIAL FUTURE view and update our mas- ter plans for infrastructure and services to reflect the stream of changes now coming from Queen's Park. T expect our total prop- erty tax increase to be well below inflation. No significant impacts to our 2023 budget appear to me to be likely because the government has prom- ised to keep us. to plans without reducing the livability we all work so hard | to protect and en- han Over the next 10 years, ontario needs twice as new homes as have ever ever been produced in previous 10- hers, period i in Ontario's histo: Two major forces drive the need for more new homes: explore new ways to fund municipal services and fa- cilities. Therefore, we achieve o our assigned objec: the province's Take advantage of this great rate today! For new money transferred to UCU from other financial institutions ukrainiancu.com 800.461.0777 Promo code: DS1122 gration from the rest of of Canada and an increase in i igration to fill job shortages Ontario's booming economy (and re- unite families). Ee el Oakville has grown fas- ter in previous decades than we are being told to grow for the next 30 years. We can do our part. We need to look at growth as a set of opportunities in work clothes. Please reach out to me to meet with you and your neighbours and friends or clubs and associations and discuss the opportunities ahead ofus. We havea great opportunity to create a fu- ire where we all can thrive and shine. Together, we can make Oakville an even better place to live, work, play, raise families and retire. We will thrive as a com- munity for a very long time to come by always working to be as welcoming, sus- tainable and livable as we can. From my family and my colleagues on your local and regional councils, please en- joy the holidays and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Rob Burton is the May- or of Oakville. He can be reached at mayor@oak- ville.ca.