The president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce says while there are many concerns about the provincial economy, northern business owners are the most confident about current opportunities and growth.

Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. October 24, 2024 (Ian Campbell/CTV Northern Ontario)

Sudbury’s business elite filled Bryston’s on Park banquet hall in Copper Cliff on Thursday evening for the local chamber’s annual general meeting.

Under new leadership, Trevor Lalonde of Fisher Wavy was elected president in July. He replaced Geoff Hatton of the Spectrum Group.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Daniel Tisch, president and CEO of the provincial chamber.

Tisch said his group’s research found confidence in the province’s economy, particularly among small businesses, has never been lower than it is now.

“So obviously we need to look at what we can do to ensure that we have strong economies, not just across the province, but that prosperity is inclusive and sustainable and includes all regions,” he said .

“We work with local business leaders to help them pursue solutions that will make their businesses smarter, more successful and more productive, reduce their risk and increase their reward.”

Despite the departure of some major employers from the North – such as Domtar in Espanola and GM in Kapuskasing – businesses in the region remain very optimistic.

“I think a lot of that is because of the opportunities that we see now with Ontario going through sort of a manufacturing renaissance, there’s the opportunity to look at how we can grow the mining industry in a way sustainable and, you know, creates in renewed prosperity for some of these communities,” Tisch said.

“I think the opportunity is to work on infrastructure,… look at policies, look at regulations,… do we have the right energy grid… to serve… the communities here and the businesses here ?”

He also said a diversified economy would be the key to success in the years to come.

“There seems to be a lot of amazing things happening and even participating in this event tonight and the diversity of businesses involved in the chamber is extremely exciting,” Tisch said.

“That said, I think mining continues to be a sector with incredible opportunities here in Ontario and well beyond Ontario, right?

The provincial Chamber seeks to make recommendations to the Ontario government in five key areas – energy, infrastructure, labour, health care and new mining initiatives – to strengthen local economies.

“We have to look at all of this together and the biggest thing I hear about is whether we have the talent,” Tisch said.

“Do we have partnerships with local universities and colleges to ensure that this talent pool that is here stays here and contributes to the economy long term?”

The Sudbury Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for its annual Local Business Excellence Awards.

Nominations for the following awards are accepted until October 31:

• Best Nonprofit/Charity
• Small business
• Innovation
• Young entrepreneur of the year
• Entrepreneur of the year
• Business of the year
• Executive of the Year