OTTAWA — Budget 2025 needs to be a “turning point” for Canada’s economic future.
That’s the message the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has as the Mark Carney Liberals prepare to unveil their long-awaited inaugural budget next week, calling for a “national strategy” to increase investment, competitiveness and growth in the private sector.
“A great budget is about sending a signal and it’s about sculpting a strategy, and the strategy we need is one around unlocking private sector growth, it’s around breaking down barriers to competitiveness, and it’s about investing aggressively in infrastructure and talent,” said OCC President and CEO Daniel Tisch.
“If we can do those things, the country will be on the right track.”
Four key points
The chamber called on the government to focus on four key points: driving competitive business and trade environments, a dvancing healthy and sustainable communities, unlocking qualified and diverse talent, and building growth-enabling infrastructure.
“If we can get those four things right, we’ll have a very bright future — but there’s a lot of complexity,” he said.
“We need and advocate a comprehensive review of the federal tax framework, look at where the government spends, look at where the government taxes, look for opportunities for simplification.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s legacy, Tisch said, will be based on what’s happening right now — beyond the on-again/off-again trade talks with United States President Donald Trump.
“He’ll be measured on if he succeeds in transforming Canada’s economy and preparing for the future,” Tisch said.
The budget, Tisch said, needs to be more than just a fiscal plan but a blueprint for a future led by private sector growth.
