GICC taking part in province wide initiative

The Greater Innisfil Chamber is participating in a province-wide initiative to facilitate a public debate on what business owners consistently identify as the most pressing issue for Ontario - health care.

Recent surveys of the more than 57,000 members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce indicate that health care is their number one issue. Since 1995 health care spending has increased from 38 per cent to nearly 45 per cent of the total government spending. And by 2008-09 the government has projected that health care spending will further increase by $5.3 billion.

"Provincial expenditures in health care have grown significantly, limiting the government's ability to invest in other valuable programs and threatening our competitiveness as a province," says Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "Healthy dialogue about practical and sustainable reform is long overdue and the business community has a responsibility to take a leadership role in this issue as in many others."

Participants in the Innisfil discussions include representatives of business, health care and the nonprofit sector.

Results from the local round table discussions as well as those taking place in other areas of the province will be used to help the Ontario Chamber of Commerce develop a health care strategy. These findings will be shared with government and other stakeholders in order to help Ontario develop a more sustainable model of health care delivery.

The 2007 Annual Business Gala Awards is being held on Friday February 23 at National Pines. Visit our website at www.innisfilchamber.com for details or to download a business award nomination form.