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With the recent election of our new provincial gov- ernment and new mem- bers of provincial parlia- ment, the Oakville Cham- ber of Commerce, in con- junction with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, submitted letters to each provincial cabinet minis- ter about what we believe can be done to encourage and help businesses in Oakville prosper. This four-year blue- print given to every cabi- net minister outlines Oak- ville business priorities, including the commitment to an important audit of all government spending to restoring transparency and accountability, reduc- ing red tape, tax reform, la- bour reform and strategic infrastructure investment to foster job creation and for building healthy andfor building healthy andf productive communities like Oakville. To that end, Oakville and the Region of Halton need to prioritize the build- ing of basic infrastructure, roads, sewers and water systems. Government needs to get back to their core business of providing needed services for exist- ing and future residents and businesses. Infrastructure invest- ments in Oakville need shovels in the ground. The lack of housing availability and the cost ofavailability and the cost ofa housing is limiting busi- nesses' ability to attract and retain talent they need to be competitive. Consequently, the gov- ernment must confront these challenges by increas- ing supply through an im- proved and streamlined process of approvals and re- viewing how the municipal fees add to the cost of hous-fees add to the cost of hous-f ing. This needs to happen now so that more affordable housing is built within the three to five years. Likewise, we support the further review of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) to achieve the provincial growth plan's goal of inten- sification not only focused in growth areas but throughout our communi- ties, as housing is needed close to jobs to attract workers. Ontario's competitive- ness challenge is very real; particularly for those many businesses impacted by the tax reforms in the United States and the rene- gotiation of NAFTA. In this environment, the Ontario government should take an active role in promoting positive bilateral co-opera- tion with American states, especially ones with which Ontario conducts a signif- icant amount of trade. As part of the Oakville chamber's continuing advo- cacy efforts, we look for- ward to working closely with our provincial govern- ment and our local MPPs, Effie Triantafilopoulos (Oakville North-Burling- ton) and Stephen Crawford (Oakville), to achieve policy commitments that support local businesses, reduce costs and allow for econom- ic growth. Faye Lyons is the Oak- ville Chamber of Com- merce's vice-president of government relations and advocacy. MAKING OAKVILLE OPEN FOR BUSINESS OPINION 4-YEAR BLUEPRINT OUTLINES LOCAL BUSINESS PRIORITIES, WRITES LYONS FAYE LYONS Column A chickadee found a home in one of Russell Gracey's birdfeeders, where it laid its eggs. Do you have a cute animal photo taken in Oakville? Send your Animal Tales submission for consideration to cohara@metroland.com. Please include a short description and the name of the photographer for publication. Russell Gracey photo ANIMAL TALES