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The Ottawa Board of Trade is non-partisan, non-profit, and not government. As a member of the CGCC they give the private sector in Ottawa a greater voice nationally.
The Ottawa Board of Trade
PRESIDENT & CEO
Sueling Ching
Chairman
The Ottawa Board of Trade is a non-partisan, non-profit, organization independent from government which supports the private sector in the greater Ottawa area. One of the first Board of Trade’s in Canada, they have represented the interests of businesses from all sectors at all levels of government for over 150 years.
Sueling Ching is the President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade. Before joining the Board, Sueling was well recognized as a community builder committed to innovating and advocating for businesses. Sueling is a key advocate of the CGCC for the development of economic policies that increase prosperity in Ottawa as one of the larger urban centres in Canada. In her service, she speaks with media and government of all levels on key issues impacting businesses in the Ottawa Region.
WHAT IS THE OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
By listening to their members, the Ottawa Board of Trade advocates for effective policy making with a mission to create prosperity in Ottawa, Ontario, and Canada. They shift their focus to align with business interests, and are currently acting on issues that reduce barriers to business and create new opportunities for their region.
INITIATIVES FOR OTTAWA BUSINESSES
From events for networking or knowledge sharing to online resources, the OBoT supports their local communities and business owners. Their key measures include easily accessible information to improve their members’ competitiveness. This includes resources to speed up recovery from the impacts of provincial health measures. Access to benefit programs, savings and discounts for their members and government support available to their members.
Key to their mandate the OBoT is THE voice of businesses of every size and in every sector operating in Ottawa. To give these businesses a platform, the OBoT works with leaders in the private sector, major economic stakeholders and government of all levels.
Sueling, representing the Board, builds strategic partnerships with other business advocacy organizations such as the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce, as well as Chamber colleagues in major urban areas across Canada – meaning the Canadian Global Cities Council.
THE OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE CANADIAN GLOBAL CITIES COUNCIL
Founded in 2015, the Canadian Global Cities Council (CGCC) is a coalition of Presidents and CEOs of the largest urban regional Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade in Canada. The CGCC is now made up of nine members including Brampton, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montréal, Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver and, of course, Ottawa.
With the inclusion of the Ottawa Board of Trade in 2020, the CGCC is an even stronger national voice for businesses in Canada. The acting CEO & President of the Ottawa Board of Trade understood the benefit of collaborating with other private business advocates to address international and domestic issues. For, similar issues seemed to be impacting the different regions and their competitiveness.
Joining the Canadian Global Cities Council is an advocacy achievement for the Ottawa Board of Trade in 2020.
recent initiatives
There are many ways to help our cause
Inter-provincial Trade Barriers
Canada is a trading nation. We have what the world needs. The CGCC advocates removing inter-provincial and international trade barriers that are hurting Canadian businesses.
Airport Infrastructure
The CGCC promotes national policies for competitive and sustainable urban economies. Canada’s air transport sector plays an essential role in connecting our country and growing our economy.
Urban Strategy
There is a need for investment in a national urban strategy to enable government at all levels to align with regional priorities and work with the private sector to maximize benefits for Canadians and our businesses.
AGENDA FOR GROWTH
To ensure that our cities continue to be the best places to live, operate and invest, the CGCC calls on all politicians to create the right conditions for the future prosperity of Canadian businesses.
OTTAWA SUPPORTS POLICY TO ELIMINATE INTERPROVINCIAL TRADE BARRIERS
In addition to the internal trade barriers pre-pandemic, the COVID-19 resulted in a lack of access to other provincial markets for most of the private sector. across many sectors has limited our businesses from getting their products to foreign markets. The uncertainty of our times and cost businesses in every urban centre in Canada. Ottawa included. The effects of a national health emergency rippled through Canadian cities more than any national policy. The President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade recognized the importance of sharing their members’ stories on a national level, working with other large boards of trade and chambers of commerce and all levels of government to turn this tide.
FROM SUELING, ON BEHALF OF THE OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE, TO BUSINESS
Sueling, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade in 2020 issued a letter to the federal government signed by all CGCC members where she stated:
“Canada’s recovery requires bold leadership and policy making that inspires growth. Our small and medium enterprises have fought hard to survive during this pandemic. We must arm our entrepreneurs with every tool possible to reduce costs and increase competitiveness. And it must be done now.”
CONTACT THE OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE
Access The CGCC for how to get in touch with Sueling Chin about efforts to solve national issues impacting Ottawa.
