OVER 1,150 members, one voice
The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce strengthens your voice with all levels of government. We express your concerns to influence policy and increase economic prosperity in our province. We work with business and economic development organizations to ensure a united business community and strive to make our capital region and PEI better places to do business.
The Chamber is currently working on the below advocacy priorities. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on emerging issues facing your business.
2023 Provincial Election
- 2023 GCACC Provincial Election Priorities Position Paper
- “Ask Your Candidates” sheet for members, with questions to ask candidates based on GCACC election priorities.
- GCACC Calls on All Parties to Invest in People
- 2023 Provincial Leaders’ Debate, in partnership with Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
- 2023 Provincial Parties’ Platform Summary
COVID-19 Response and Supports
From the peak of the pandemic until now, the Chamber has been there for our members by offering COVID-19 business updates and urging governments to provide timely and necessary support and communication for our businesses.
Our business community has shown significant resiliency in navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and all of its impacts. As your Chamber, we will continue to be here for you as we move towards brighter days.
Recent COVID-19 policy submissions and responses
- January 24, 2022: Results of Quick Poll on lockdown supports
- January 20, 2022: Letter to Premier King in regard to transparency, communication, and support surrounding the enhanced public health measures
- June 25, 2021: Letter to Premier King seeking clarity on COVID-19 vaccination timelines in relation to PEI’s Moving Forward Plan, and the PEI Pass
- June 11, 2021: Letter to MP Sean Casey on concerns with amendments to the Canada Emergency Wage and Rent Subsidies
Recent Chamber statements on public health measures
Current Business and Employee Supports: COVID-19 Chamber Supports Page
A Competitive Business Environment
Prior to the pandemic, PEI was seeing historical economic growth. This resulted in increased entrepreneurial start-ups, business expansions, strong employment numbers, and wage growth. The Chamber has long advocated for a competitive business environment to ensure PEI continues to be an attractive destination for business investment.
For example, over the past four years, the GCACC has advocated for a reduction in the provincial small business tax, bringing the current tax rate to 1% (2022) from the previous 4.5% (2017).
Recent policy submissions relating to business competitiveness
- 2023-24 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
- 2023-24 City of Charlottetown Pre-Budget Submission
- 2023-24 Town of Stratford Pre-Budget Submission
- 2023-24 Town of Cornwall Pre-Budget Submission
- 2022 Minimum Wage Review
- 2022-23 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
- 2022-23 City of Charlottetown Pre-Budget Submission
- 2022-23 Town of Stratford Pre-Budget Submission
- 2021 Minimum Wage Review
- September 20, 2021: Letter to Premier King in Support of the Atlantic Investment Bubble
- 2021-22 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
Develop A Growing, Diverse and Skilled Workforce
While the province has led the country in population growth, Prince Edward Island’s aging workforce is one of the greatest threats to sustained economic growth. There is also a growing concern for shortage of skilled labourers across a number of our primary and emerging sectors. The GCACC advocates at the provincial and federal level for immigration programs and services, immigration policy, K-12 education, and skills development supports.
We lead the PEI Connectors program, a government, and private-sector, supported initiative aimed at assisting entrepreneurial newcomers in getting their businesses launched. The program also connects new Islanders and new post-secondary graduates with local business leaders to help build their professional career network.
- 2023-24 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
- 2023-24 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
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2022-23 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
- 2022-23 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
- 2021-22 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
- 2021-22 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
- 2019-20 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
Emerging Issues
The Chamber monitors and responds to other emerging issues to support our members, below are few of our most recent submissions on such topics. If there are other emerging issues that are affecting your business, contact Madeline at mbiso@charlottetownchamber.com.
- September 20, 2022: Chamber Responds to Province of PEI’s Minimum Wage Increase
- September 14, 2022: Letter to Premier King on September 19 Statutory Holiday
Labour Shortage
- July 6, 2022: Chamber Releases Workforce Programs Document; Shares Federal and Provincial Funding Available for Hiring and Training Employees
- June 23, 2022: Chamber Focus Group Outlines Actions to Strengthening Workforce
- June 23, 2022: Chamber Speaks on Employment Insurance to the Canadian Senate Standing Committee of Agriculture and Forestry
Paid Sick Leave
- October 4, 2022: Feedback on Proposed 10 Day Paid Sick Leave Legislation, updated draft
- March 2, 2022: Feedback on Proposed 10 Day Paid Sick Leave Legislation
Local Procurement/Supporting Local Business
- August 26, 2022: Chamber Welcomes City of Charlottetown’s Decision to Repeal Enterprise Fleet Management Agreement
Export Ban on PEI Potatoes
- March 28, 2022: Letter to Island MPs Regarding Ongoing PEI Potato Export Ban
- December 2, 2021: Letter to Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau on resuming potato exports
Pay Transparency Legislation
- September 28, 2021: Feedback on Proposed Pay Transparency Legislation
Basic Income Guarantee
- Opinion Editorial the Guardian, February 19, 2021
- Letter to MLA Trish Altass, Chair of Special Committee on Poverty in PEI, in response to the committee’s recommendations on implementing Basic Income Guarantee – February 11, 2021
Parking Rates
- January 14, 2022 – City of Charlottetown Pre-Budget Submission asking for City Council to freeze parking rates
- January 19, 2021 – Joint Letter to Mayor Brown and Council from GCACC and DCI September 2021