The St. Catharines - Thorold Chamber of Commerce believes in being active in issues at all government levels that affect business. Our goal is to foster a strong, competitive economic environment that benefits businesses of all sizes throughout St. Catharines and Thorold. Issues are brought to our attention by Chamber members, assessed and further developed by committee volunteers. They are then put forward for approval by the Board of Directors, before being presented to municipal, provincial or federal levels of government. We represent business on issues that are timely and important; whether it is climate change, infrastructure funding, competition law or debt reduction we work with government officials to ensure government policy helps grow our local economy. The chamber works to engage the government directly on issues that are critical to the economy. Throughout the broad network of community chambers, boards of trade and affiliated associations, the chamber works to lobby effectively on key issues of import to our membership, such as the federal Wine Tax and preventing the rise of regional Industrial Taxes. Some of the issues we have worked on are: Thorold 2008 Budget Submission Request March 17, 2008 Strengthening Niagara's Competitive Advantage by Lowering Industrial Tax Rations - March 12, 2008 St. Catharines Municipal Budget Presentation - Feb.25, 2008 Presentation to Niagara Regional Police Services Board - Feb.08 Budget Submission - Ontario Finance Minister: January 2008 Update - Manufacturing - Nov.23/07 Police Headquarters Move Nov. 2007 Update - Manufacturing Report before the House of Commons - Nov.13/07 Report on MANUFACTURING - Oct. 2007 Prosperity Corridors Response Paper - Sept. 2007 Regional Council Round Table Meeting Notes - Sept. 2007 Letter to US Customs - Aug. 2007 Downtown Sign By-Law - July 2007 Fourth Avenue Reconstruction - July 2007 Funding the New St. Catharines Hospital - July 2007 Graffiti Briefing - July 2007 Parking Budget Report (2007) Two Way Traffic (2007) Border Card Issue Transportation - Provincial Highways Upgrade The St. Catharines - Thorold Chamber of Commerce also takes advantage of the highly respected advocacy acumen of the Ontario and Canadian Chamber of Commerce lobbyists. At all levels of government, the voice of many becomes the voice of one - one strong enough to be heard. Join us, and let your voice be heard!