Toronto Region Board Of Trade Announces Framework For Economic Recovery

Board outlines six work tracks essential to future success

TORONTO, May 14, 2020 /CNW/ - As Toronto businesses begin to emerge from the COVID-19 shutdown and shift to economic recovery, the Toronto Region Board of Trade (the "Board") is today launching Reimagining Recovery – a support framework that charts a path forward for our economy and the businesses that power it.

"As Canada's economic engine, it is important that the Toronto region be a leader in recovery efforts," said Jan De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade. "We have assembled a Steering Cabinet of government and industry leaders organized around six areas of focus to reflect the diversity of our businesses. As each level of government puts forward its plan for recovery, they will have the benefit of the business community's point of view."

Work Tracks:

Track One
Recovery Stages: How do we re-open our economy and what does recovery look like in pre and post vaccine times?

Track Two
Sector Recovery Plans: How does re-opening and recovery differ by sector and what supports do they need?

Track Three
Retrofitting our Cities: How do we retrofit and redesign our physical spaces, buildings and infrastructure in a new COVID-19 reality?

Track Four
Cities and Corridor Blueprint: What are the opportunities to reimagine and reboot our economy?

Track Five
Recovery Programs: How can medium sized companies build digital readiness capabilities to deal with a new normal?

Track Six
Getting Back to Trade:  How do we remove internal barriers to trade? What are the new and emerging markets for international trade?

"Toronto businesses have experienced unprecedented changes in the last ten weeks. From their day-to-day operations to long-term goals, businesses are adjusting to this new reality," said Toronto Mayor John Tory. "Getting feedback from the business community will be critical to the efforts of people like Saad Rafi and the work being done by the Office of Recovery and Rebuild, and this framework will provide valuable insight into how government needs to plan and adapt to the post-COVID world."

Through Reimagining Recovery, the Board will support members through advocacy, information and support programs as well as provide valuable insight and recommendations for governments.

"Partnership and collaboration are never more critical than during a time of crisis. As a business that facilitates prosperity across the Toronto Region, we remain committed to being an active partner that supports the economic restart and recovery," said Deborah Flint, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "Initiatives like this, that facilitate mutual support and shared strength to keep businesses moving forward into recovery are critically important."

The Steering Cabinet is comprised of:

• Jan De Silva, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
• Scott Beck, President and CEO, Tourism Toronto
• Diane Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada
• Mark Cohon, Chair, Toronto Global
• Deborah Flint, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
• Eric Gales, Country Manager, Amazon Web Service Canada
• Meric Gertler, President, University of Toronto (& on behalf of Corridor Universities)
• Richard Joy, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute Toronto
• Iain Klugman, President and CEO, Communitech
• Tony La Mantia, President and CEO, Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation
• Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ryerson University
• Joseph S. Mancinelli, International Vice President, LiUNA
• Farah Mohamed, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Policy & Public Affairs, Toronto Region Board of Trade
• Anne Sado, President, George Brown College (& on behalf of Corridor Colleges)
• Chad Schella, General Manager, Government & Community Affairs, Canada Post
• Chuck Scott, CEO, Canada and Latin America, Cushman & Wakefield
• Michael Serbinis, Founder & CEO, League
• Mike Williams, General Manager, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
• Yung Wu, CEO, MaRS Discovery District

• Ex-officio:
• Saad Rafi, Chief Recovery and Rebuild Officer, City of Toronto
• Giles Gherson, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, Government of Ontario
• James Meddings, President, FedDev Ontario, Government of Canada

The Board's Recovery Support Framework is created in partnership with the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and dozens of leaders, experts and researchers.

To learn more about the framework, or to get involved in one of the priority tracks, please visit the Board's business support portal at, supportbusiness.bot.com/recovery or contact [email protected].

ABOUT THE TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE 

The Toronto Region Board of Trade is one of the largest and most influential chambers of commerce in North America and is a catalyst for the region's economic growth agenda. Backed by more than 13,500 members, we pursue policy change to drive the growth and competitiveness of the Toronto region, and facilitate market opportunities with programs, partnerships and connections to help our members succeed – domestically and internationally. We want Toronto to be recognized as one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world, and believe this reputation starts with our businesses. Learn more at bot.com and follow us at @TorontoRBOT. 

SOURCE Toronto Region Board of Trade

To book an interview, please contact: Rebecca Tsehay, Toronto Region Board of Trade, 647-216-2686, [email protected]