Canadian Chamber of Commerce releases report card on Canada's competitiveness

    OTTAWA, July 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Together with other leading business
organizations, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has compiled a report card for
the government's implementation of the Competition Policy Review Panel's final
recommendations in a letter dated June 30th to Industry Minister Tony Clement.
    Compete to Win, the report produced by the Competition Review Panel,
contained many positive and concrete recommendations for the government to act
on to establish a long-term competitiveness strategy for Canada. It is
paramount that the government moves more quickly to adopt and act on the
report.
    "As some of Canada's leading business groups, we didn't want the momentum
generated from last year's report to be lost", Canadian Chamber President and
CEO Perrin Beatty said. "We promised that we would monitor the implementation
of this report and we have sent a letter to Minister Clement to urge him to
once again review the recommendations and take action that will benefit
Canadians and the Canadian business community", Beatty stated.
    While there have been some positive developments over the last year, much
more work needs to be done. We have noted that the government needs to
continue to focus on the Competition Act, the Investment Canada Act, Sectoral
Regimes and the overall Competitiveness Agenda to improve Canada's economic
standing on the world stage.
    "We cannot let this report sit on a shelf, it is too critical to Canada
being able to achieve its long-term goals and will help to solidify our
business environment," said Beatty. "This will help Canada to continue to be a
destination of choice for business", concluded Beatty.

For further information: Kathryn Anderson, Director, Communications and
Marketing, (613) 238-4000 ext.231, Cell: (613) 797-1860, kanderson@chamber.ca