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9 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,D ecem ber 20,2018 w aterloochronicle.ca Uncertainty in many areas of the Canadian economy and a pending federal election in 2019 made the recent First Ministers meeting in Montreal particularly im- portant for all provinces and related stakeholders. The Canadian business sector is pleased to learn that the federal govern- ment may be open to amendments to Bill C-69 (environmental assess- ment of major projects) for addressing concerns raised by industry. A number of amendments have been proposed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to address se- rious problems with the current draft and the business community looks forward to working together with the govern- ment to bring much-need- ed clarity to the bill. However, business is disappointed that Cana- da's First Ministers missed the opportunity to take real action in the na- tional interest to resolve the pressing economic is- sues undermining Cana- dian jobs and economic security. While the meet- ing resulted in productive talks, it did not result in real action, particularly in dealing with an oil and gas sector in crisis, nor was it ambitious in scope for the reduction of barri- ers in intra-provincial trade. While we understand that the complex issues facing Canada's economy cannot be solved with a single meeting, First Min- isters could have taken more concrete actions to protect Canada's econom- ic prosperity, including a commitment not to block inter-provincial linear energy and infrastruc- ture projects that origi- nate outside of their juris- diction. In the absence of consensus, the federal government should intro- duce special legislation declaring the Trans Mountain Expansion Pro- ject in the national inter- est and clear the path for the project to get built. To accelerate the project the federal government should also enact legisla- tion that would prevent the NEB from having to duplicate the studies that have already been com- pleted. While business ap- plauds the effort to ad- dress inter-provincial trucking regulatory dif- ferences, we were looking for a more determined commitment to remove most internal trade barri- ers through a broad mutu- al recognition of each province's standards, across all sectors, and to do so within the short term. A product or worker that is lawful in one prov- ince should be lawful in other provinces and terri- tories across the country. This is the basis for how Australia and the EU gov- ern their internal mar- kets and there is no rea- son Canada cannot do the same. Sadly, Canada's First Ministers have missed an- other opportunity to ad- dress the challenges that hurt Canadian business- es, the people they employ and the communities in which they operate. It is far past time to take the steps necessary to ensure Canada is an attractive place to start and grow a business and to invest. The business community remains ready to work with governments at all levels to help make Cana- da a more prosperous place for all Canadians." Ian McLean is the pres- ident and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Water- loo Chamber of Com- merce. He can be reached at imclean@greaterkw- chamber.com. FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS CARRYING HEAVY BUSINESS AGENDA INTO NEW YEAR OPINION YOUROPINIONS SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA CANADA'S FIRST MINISTERS MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE REAL ACTION, WRITES IAN MCLEAN IAN MCLEAN Column Dressed in holiday style, Brian J. Malaney, a customer service manag- er at Walmart on Ira Nee- dles Boulevard, is decked out in a Santa hat and big silver bells that jingle as he walks. With his right arm tucked firmly behind his back, Brian walks with a gait that reveals his cere- bral palsy. But that doesn't prevent him from working the cash register, tidying store shelves and delivering an air hockey table to a waiting custom- er, among countless other tasks every shift. I first met Brian when Walmart at The Board- walk opened eight years ago. He captured my at- tention with his impecca- ble customer service skills and genuine smile, and because he is physi- cally challenged. "I've had cerebral palsy since birth, but it's a very mild case as it just affects my right arm and my right leg," said Brian, who also suffers from epilepsy and scoliosis. "Back in the day they thought I was going to be in a wheelchair by the age of 35, and now I'm 54," he said with a laugh. Brian comes from a big Catholic Irish family with nine siblings, he told me. "Now there's only three of us. Between cancer, multiple sclerosis and heart-related conditions, I only have one brother and one sister left," said Brian, whose mother died when he was 10. "But I'm glad that I was brought up in my family because they made me in- dependent when I was a little kid," said Brian, who was raised by an older sis- ter after their father died of cancer. "My sister is 20 years older than me, she's still alive and she's like a moth- er to me." I asked Brian how cus- tomers react to the big jin- gling bells on his waist that can be heard throughout the store at this time of year. "The reaction from the kids when they first hear the bells is priceless - they think Santa's in the store," he said. "And the expres- sion on their faces - I love it. I just tell them, I see Santa when the store is about to close and he comes in to get gifts." Brian added, "I bought a wreath that was on clearance last year and I took the bells off to make my own bells this Christ- mas, as the old ones I had were on a ribbon and when they'd fall off I'd be chasing my bells around the store." When I asked Brian how he perseveres so fear- lessly in the face of adver- sity, he replied: "It really comes down to your dispo- sition and outlook, and I'm a people person. I look for- ward to coming here." This holiday season, I feel privileged to know someone as inspiring as Brian, who despite his physical limitations ap- proaches every day with joy and purpose. I think the world would be a bet- ter place if we all tackled challenges with a similar sense of optimism and te- nacity. Marshall Ward is a freelance writer and art- ist. Email is welcome at marshall_ward@hot- mail.com. JINGLE ALL THE WAY YOUROPINIONS SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA WALMART MANAGER WITH CEREBRAL PALSY IS AN INSPIRATION, SAYS MARSHALL WARD MARSHALL WARD Column This holiday season, I feel privileged to know someone as inspiring as Brian, who despite his physical limitations approaches every day with joy and purpose. I think the world would be a better place if we all tackled challenges with a similar sense of optimism and tenacity. We dig deeper on the issues that matter to you. VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA TO READ CURRENT AND PAST INVESTIGATIONS