Business to hear from party leaders
The business community will hear from all three of Ontario’s major political party leaders during an economic summit in Niagara-on-theLake this week.
The 2017 Ontario Economic Summit takes place today through Friday at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.
“This year’s summit will focus in on opportunity, inclusion and transformation within Ontario’s economy, and discuss how we can overcome Ontario’s greatest challenges to drive our provincial economy forward,” said Richard Koroscil, interim-president and chief executive officer for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual summit.
“We are excited to host all three party leaders to have open and candid discussions ahead of the 2018 election.”
The summit starts today at 7:30 p.m., and concludes Friday at 12:50 p.m.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and PC Leader Patrick Brown are scheduled to address delegates Thursday, while Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne is scheduled to address delegates Friday.
Business and government leaders will gather at the summit to network, and to participate in expert panel discussions on relevant topics, including the Canadian perspective on NAFTA, artificial intelligence and building business confidence in Ontario.
The goal of the summit, said chamber officials, is to bring together leaders in both the public and private sector to engage in productive dialogue, and to foster collaboration.
Each year the summit focuses on a different theme, which this year is opportunity, inclusion and transformation to drive Ontario’s economic agenda.
Part of the agenda includes discussions around innovative technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence, considered key to unlocking and boosting economic prosperity in the province.
The issue has also caused some concerns among many members of the economy who could potentially be displaced by some of these technologies.
Some discussions at the summit will deal with ways to drive forward inclusive economic growth, while not hindering innovation, ensuring everyone in the province can participate.