Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Strategic Priorities Framework 2026–2028

Government Relations Strategic Priorities Framework 2026–2028

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce represents more than 650 businesses across one of Atlantic Canada’s most strategically important economic regions. As a port city, industrial centre, energy hub, and growing urban region, Saint John sits at the intersection of trade, workforce development, infrastructure, innovation, and community wellbeing.

Our Government Relations strategy is rooted in one overarching principle:

One Overarching Strategy:

Building the Conditions for Sustainable Economic Growth and Regional Competitiveness

The Chamber’s role is to act as a constructive, non-partisan business voice that helps align government policy, infrastructure investment, workforce planning, and community development with the realities facing businesses and employers across the Saint John region.

Our advocacy approach focuses on practical collaboration, measurable outcomes, and long-term regional competitiveness.

This framework has been informed by the Chamber’s federal priorities, provincial economic development submissions, municipal advocacy planning, and regional collaboration work with Atlantic and Urban Chambers.

Core Government Relations Priorities

Workforce Growth, Immigration & Housing Alignment

The Saint John region cannot sustain economic growth without people. Labour shortages, demographic pressures, and workforce retention challenges continue to impact nearly every sector of the economy.

The Chamber will advocate for:

Immigration policies that reflect Atlantic Canada’s realities
Stronger workforce retention strategies
Faster credential recognition
Housing supply aligned with population growth
Workforce training tied directly to industry demand
Coordinated planning between all levels of government

Housing must continue to be framed not only as a social issue, but as economic infrastructure directly tied to labour force participation, investment attraction, and regional growth.

Economic Competitiveness, Productivity & Investment Attraction

Saint John is positioned to play a national role in energy, trade, logistics, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, and export growth.

To remain competitive, businesses require:

Predictable regulatory environments
Efficient permitting processes
Infrastructure readiness
Modernized government systems
Support for digitization, AI adoption, and productivity growth
Competitive tax and investment frameworks

The Chamber will continue advocating for policies that reduce friction for business growth while supporting transformational investment opportunities across the region.

Infrastructure, Energy & Trade Corridor Development

Infrastructure readiness is directly tied to economic opportunity.

As Atlantic Canada’s port and energy gateway, Saint John plays a strategic role in:

National trade corridors
Energy security
Industrial development
Transportation logistics
Export diversification

The Chamber will advocate for:

Long-term infrastructure investment
Climate resilience planning
Transportation and trade-enabling infrastructure
Energy development and grid modernization
Port-connected industrial growth
Regional collaboration across Atlantic Canada

Infrastructure investment must align with housing, workforce growth, and economic development objectives.

Public Safety, Community Wellbeing & Downtown Vitality

Strong communities are essential to strong economies.

Businesses across the region continue to express concerns related to:

Public safety
Homelessness
Mental health and addiction impacts
Community perception
Downtown vibrancy and workforce confidence

The Chamber recognizes these as complex social and economic challenges requiring coordinated solutions between governments, community organizations, and the private sector.

The Chamber will continue advocating for:

Accountability and measurable outcomes
Coordinated community safety strategies
Investments in treatment, housing, and support systems
Safe, vibrant commercial districts
Transparent communication and collaboration

Economic vitality and community wellbeing are interconnected and must be approached collaboratively.

Regional Collaboration & Long-Term Growth

Atlantic Canada’s strength lies in collaboration.

The Chamber will continue working alongside municipal leaders, provincial and federal governments, Indigenous communities, educational institutions, economic development agencies, and partner Chambers across Atlantic Canada to advance shared economic priorities.

Regional competitiveness depends on:

Coordinated policy alignment
Interprovincial collaboration
Shared infrastructure planning
Labour mobility
Unified trade and investment attraction efforts
Public-private partnerships

The Chamber believes Saint John is uniquely positioned to contribute to national economic growth through its strategic assets, entrepreneurial ecosystem, industrial capacity, and growing role in energy and trade diversification.

Advocacy Approach

The Chamber’s Government Relations work will remain:

Non-partisan
Business-focused
Solutions-oriented
Evidence-informed
Collaborative
Regionally aligned

We will measure success through:

Tangible advocacy outcomes
Regular engagement with elected officials
Consistent member communication
Alignment between advocacy and member priorities
Visible progress on key regional issues

The goal is not advocacy for advocacy’s sake, but meaningful outcomes that strengthen the Saint John region’s economy and quality of life.