CCI response to the Ontario Liberal Party platform

Today, Ontario Liberal Party Leader Stephen Del Duca released the party’s 2022 election platform. In response, CCI’s Ontario Manager of Government Relations Alanna Sokic issued the following statement on behalf of our members:

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The skilled talent crisis is by far the most pressing issue facing Ontario technology companies, and we were encouraged to see the Ontario Liberal Party commit to supporting employer-informed learning and training options. In March, CCI published a strategy with 13 policy actions that could increase the supply of skilled tech talent in Canada, including a call for more employer-led training initiatives. The Ontario Liberals’ ideas for more microcredentials and flexible training options is certainly a step in the right direction.

The Ontario Liberals’ promise to reform procurement to allow for local businesses to submit unsolicited bids to solve government challenges is also a good idea that CCI has championed on behalf of our members. Done right, this could be a win for innovative companies and taxpayers alike.

While innovators’ concerns are acknowledged throughout the Ontario Liberal platform, CCI cautions that any progress must occur in lockstep with domestic firms.

We welcome the commitment to modernize data, intellectual property and privacy laws to ensure that they’re fit for purpose in 2022, but we’ve also seen real progress on these fronts in recent years with the creation of Intellectual Property Ontario and the beginnings of a provincial data authority. If elected, the Ontario Liberals should instead look to build on these successes in close consultation with innovators.

The platform also contains a range of interesting ideas under the heading of Economic Dignity for Workers. These policies to protect workers’ rights are worthy of serious consideration. If elected, we hope an Ontario Liberal government would engage in ongoing consultation with Ontario companies to ensure that these ideas are enacted in a way that does not stifle competitiveness or growth.

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Media Contact:

James McLeod

jmcleod@canadianinnovators.org

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