May 3, 2013 – The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce has reacted guardedly to Finance Minister Souza’s budget.

“The Minister’s budget did address two matters from a Chamber perspective,” states Kevin Hargreaves, the association’s President. “We’re pleased to see that more funding will go to skills and education, one of the Cornwall Chamber’s submissions as part of the Ontario Chamber’s pre-budget paper. We also stated the need for less red tape with respect to global trading opportunities.”

From an Ontario Chamber perspective, Hargreaves noted a number of points that will improve competitiveness for the business sector including a freeze on corporate income tax rates, extending  the manufacturer’s capital cost allowance and creating new investments in transportation infrastructure.

Hargreaves went on to state that the OCC is still concerned about cost control and the increasing demand for services and he agreed with Mayor Kilger’s concern about changing the funding formula for various services including Social Services. Then, there is the matter of an inevitable interest rate hike and the government has yet to address that eventuality.

With respect to infrastructure funding, there remains the need for road and bridge improvements in Cornwall and all across the region. The Chamber hopes that $100 million will be earmarked for the City and surrounding townships