Better Business Day | Queen's Park 2025
ADVOCATING FOR ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES
Solutions from Ontario’s employers to stabilize small business
growth, create good jobs – and build resilient local economies.
Stay tuned for our Better Business Day 2026
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.
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
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
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.
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.
