Advocating for Ethical Business Practices

Better Business Day | Queen's Park 2025

Solutions from Ontario’s employers to stabilize small business
growth, create good jobs – and build resilient local economies.

Why We Hosted Better Business Day 2025

Ontario’s small and mid-sized businesses are facing growing instability – rising rent, unpredictable utilities, an uncompetitive insurance market – and persistent workforce shortages.

Our delegates – real employers from across the province – brought ground-level ideas to help fix the cost squeeze and build a more stable economy from the ground up.

On May 27th 2025, we met with a dozen MPPs and senior staff to spotlight solutions that support small business growth, job creation, and local prosperity. We hosted a reception attended by dozens of officials – including five ministries, cross-party MPPs, chambers of commerce, partner organizations and biz owners.

Ontario’s local employers are facing a fixed-cost crisis. Commercial rent spikes, insurance exits, and unpredictable utility bills are squeezing out even the best-run businesses – and making it harder to offer good jobs.

That’s why we launched Better Business Day.

We brought ethical employers to Queen’s Park with real-world experience and real policy ideas – practical tools to help Ontario grow jobs, retain talent, and stay globally competitive.

From succession support to insurance reform to workforce investment, we showcased what’s working on the ground – and how smart policy can scale it.

What Our Attendees Are Saying

“Better Business Day was an inspiring experience. We were able to bring forward our concerns to Ontario’s elected officials – and get heard.  It was incredible to see so many businesses come together to advocate for positive changes that benefit workers, businesses and Ontario’s economy.”


Anita Agrawal
Owner
Jewels4Ever

Smart Solutions from Ontario's Business Owners

Clarity and Fairness in Commercial Leasing

You can run a tight business. Hire a great team. Serve your community. But your rent can double overnight. There’s no standard lease. No clear rules during property sales. It’s unpredictable — and expensive.

Let’s fix it — so good businesses can stay, grow, and plan ahead.

Policy Concept: Standard leases | Predictable rent increases | Fast, fair dispute resolution

Keep Small Business Lit, Open, and Hiring

Utility costs were once boring. Now they’re budget killers. When a local bakery sees its hydro bill spike 35% in a single year, that’s not just inflation — that’s instability.


Let’s make utilities predictable again, so small businesses can invest in good jobs.


Policy Concept: Freeze hikes for firms under 25 staff | Targeted rebate modeled after consumer programs

Where’s the Insurance Market?

Most small businesses rely on just two companies for coverage. When rates rise, there’s nowhere else to go.
67% say insurance is a top concern. Many saw double-digit increases – some can’t even get coverage.

We need more options — so small employers can stay protected and stay in business.

Policy Concept: Create a public backstop insurer | Support co-op and captive models | Remove IPT + RST taxes

Who’s Buying Ontario’s Businesses?

76% of owners plan to retire in 10 years — but most don’t have a buyer lined up.

Local buyers and employees want to take over, but can’t get financing. Deals collapse. Communities lose jobs.

Let’s help the next generation step in and keep ownership rooted in Ontario.

Policy Concept: 50/50 matching fund for employee and local buyers | Starter capital to unlock loans

Good Jobs Are a Business Strategy

Small employers are stepping up – offering paid sick days, fair wages, and stable hours.

But rising costs make it harder to sustain quality jobs. Let’s back the businesses doing it right — and help others follow their lead.

Policy Concept: Good Jobs Accelerator: peer cohort, coaching, and tools to improve job quality and retention

Download our Policy Concepts Pages

Highlights from Better Business Day

We had 16 entrepreneurs and business leaders join us for a packed day of meetings – and then our annual reception.  Special thank you to our 2025 Better Business Day food sponsors: Neal Brothers Foods, Riverside Naturals (makers of Made Good), Counterpoint Brewing and Little Mushroom Catering.

What's Next?

Better Business Day was just the beginning. The conversations we started at Queen’s Park are already shaping our next steps:

  • Follow-up Meetings — Our delegate teams are continuing policy conversations with ministries, MPPs, and staff across party lines. If you’d like to connect or circle back, we’re ready.

  • Legislative Proposals — We’re working with partners and policymakers to refine practical solutions around commercial rent, insurance, utilities, and workforce strategy — especially those with near-term implementation potential.

  • The Good Jobs Accelerator — We’re seeking a government partner to pilot a peer-led program that helps small businesses invest in job quality and retention. The goal? Less churn, stronger teams, and a more resilient Ontario economy.

  • Local Advocacy — BWA members are advancing complementary motions at the municipal level on commercial rent reform, business stability, and local ownership. These efforts will keep building momentum from the ground up.