The OCC's advocacy is also focused on calling the government to expand flow-through share (FTS) eligibility for the Canadian Exploration Expense (CEE) by including the costs of technical studies. The OCC's advocacy is also focused on calling on government to ensure timely decisions, the government should mandate a firm deadline of two years to reach permitting decisions for new mining projects. Similarly, government needs to establish fixed decision timelines for permits and amendments that impact operating mines. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has launched a mining report focused on providing both federal and provincial orders of government with recommendations to consolidate all federal approvals within Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and formalize a Canada–Ontario single window for mining approvals, building on Ontarios One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework. This should apply to both new mines, and expansion of existing operation. Advocacy relates to Canada's defence spending, meeting NATO targets, and leveraging Ontario's defence supply chain to support these targets. Currently proposing to the Federal Economic Development Agency for the creation of The Gateway Project, an integrated B2B trade platform designed to strengthen Canadian trade and supply chains. Internal trade - focusing on the federal government working with provincial governments across Canada to remove internal trade barriers, including through the introduction of Mutual Recognition Agreements. USMCA and CETA, with respect to promoting international trade. Telecom Order CRTC 2019-288, with respect to new wholesale rates. Budget Submission Process with respect to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's budget submissions to the government in the spring of every calendar year. Policy and advocacy around womens economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic in the OCCs September report The She-Covery Project https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/OCC-shecovery-final.pdf): Use procurement to incentivize diversity and inclusion; include women in all decision-making bodies around economic recovery; improve long-term affordability and accessibility of child care; address the shortage of early childhood educators. Explore creative solutions ranging from in-program changes to workplace-based child care; support womens reskilling; foster an inclusive innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs; consider policy options to encourage more employers to offer flexible work arrangements; Opportunities Fund with Employment and Social Development Canada: - The total Opportunities Fund is $1,194,410 (beginning in 2019 and flowing into 2021). The fund helps connect people with disabilities with employment. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), with respect to the expansion of allocations. New agreements with Employment and Social Development Canada: Student Work Placement Program (SWPP): - July 23, 2020 – signed an amending agreement with ESDC to deliver the Student Work Placement Program: $5,795,779 (Project #OCCCOVID19-01) - July 14, 2020 – original agreement with ESCD: $16,347,883 (Project #016698664) - This program is focused on supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships to work collaboratively to create more quality work-integrated learning opportunities for young Canadians & better align work-ready skills development to ensure that students and better position to secure more meaningful employment opportunities across all disciplines. Infrastructure funding and development, specifically with respect to accelerating broadband connectivity. Income Tax Act, with respect to refocusing regulatory and tax systems to foster innovation and productivity while removing barriers to growth, particularly for SMEs. Government procurement as it pertains to small business access and an economic development tool. EXCISE ACT, 2001, with respect to reducing cannabis excise taxes for 2020. Canada Small Business Finance Program, with respect to offering temporary deferrals on payments dur