Chamber says school year start will have negative impact on tourism

North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
News Release

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The North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce approved resolutions dealing with the following important topics at the April Board meeting.

A resolution regarding the upcoming changes to the rate structure for hydro customers in Ontario was passed at the last board meeting of the Chamber. The province is changing from the current “Regulated Price Plan” to a “Time of Use” structure in order to encourage people to use hydro during off-peak hours. However, while this change is suitable for residential customers, since it encourages energy conservation by utilizing power during off-peak hours at lower rates, many businesses don’t have the option to operate at off-peak hours. President Sean Lawlor stated “we would like the government to ensure that businesses have the option of “hourly billing” as it could result in significant savings for some businesses. Ultimately, the businesses should have the choice for their best option.”

The Chamber also supported the single sales tax in Ontario. President Lawlor noted “within a couple of years, all provinces will be moving to this structure and it will help to streamline business reporting and make Ontario more competitive.” The board did recognize the concerns of some sectors and have requested that the government clarify the exemptions proposed in the new single tax structure, and if some sectors will be adversely affected once implemented, that it be a revenue neutral benefit to the government, whereby any additional monies collected be returned to the region/sector in the form of tax credits and/or marketing dollars.

As tourism is a large part of our local economy, the Chamber will be sending letters to the local school boards regarding their decision to begin the school year one week prior to Labour Day. President Lawlor stated “this will have a negative impact on local tourism and the economy in general, and these issues far outweigh the benefits the school boards may achieve by starting the school year early. We certainly understand the challenges that school boards undertake when planning their school year, however we believe that the school boards should seek other alternatives to allow the school year to being the Tuesday after Labour Day.”

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