Government Relations Committee mandate

This committee will be comprised of volunteers that are representative of the industries within the APBOT membership, including representation from Ajax and Pickering Economic Development offices.  The group will normally meet monthly to develop policies, prepare media releases and responses to Government statements/budgets, recommend positions on such other matters that have been determined to be of significance and importance to the membership, and prepare actions to advocate for changes at all level of Government when it is deemed necessary.  The goal is to ensure that related Government legislation, fiscal budgets, and economic plans address the needs of the business community represented by the APBOT.  This committee will also survey the membership and the local business community on an annual basis to develop a priority list of issues. These priorities will be the board’s focus, and will provide direction in selecting event topics, themes for the APBOT bulletin, the Board’s website and media releases to inform and educate the membership and the community on issues and policies. Events organized on behalf of this committee would include panels on election issues, budget information sessions, annual Mayor’s and Regional Chair’s addresses and other speakers on matters of interest to the membership, including members of parliament and community leaders.

The committee on an annual basis will evaluate its activities to appraise its effectiveness and develop strategies for improvement.