June 27, 2008
Dear valued Chamber member,
This quarter truly showcased the leading-edge research and communications work of your Chamber's Public & Government Department, Calgary's newest think tank. On May 1, the Chamber released its first funded research report Municipal Land Development Policies and Regulations and the Impact on Calgary Housing Affordability.
The 65-page report was unveiled at a major urban sustainability conference, the Gaining Ground Summit. It garnered wide praise with Calgary Sun Editor Myke Thomas critiquing the report as an "easy read" that takes a "fair and realistic look at the City of Calgary's policies" and is "of great interest to anyone wanting to know more about how housing is controlled in Calgary."
Besides this milestone, the Chamber and our volunteer committees continued to work hard on initiatives that address your business priorities. Below are highlights of the Second Quarter 2008, and more information on the housing affordability report. If you wish, you can also click here to go straight to the results summary.
Stopped Potential Business Tax Increase At City Hall
On May 14, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce defended local business at City Hall, successfully defeating a proposal to harmonize the city's business tax with the non-residential property tax, a move that would have opened the door to business tax increases.
Stressed Spending Restraint and Tax Reductions in Provincial Budget Commentary
On April 22, the Chamber hosted a post provincial budget panel for media with Chair Brian Hahn and Calgary Economic Development economist Adam Legge.
The panel resulted in coverage in the Calgary Herald, Daily Oil Bulletin, and on CHQR and Global TV with strong messages to reign in spending and reduce taxes to improve Alberta's competitiveness. Minister of Finance, Iris Evans, spoke at the Chamber the day after the budget, and committed to pursue a savings strategy next year, one of the key recommendations of our pre-budget submission.
« Read the Chamber's reaction to provincial budget
« Read the Chamber's provincial pre-budget submission
Took Calgary Policy Provincial at the Alberta Chamber of Commerce AGM
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is a leader in developing positions that all Chambers in Alberta have adopted as policy resolutions. Through the invaluable effort of our committee volunteers, this year we successfully passed 12 resolutions at the Alberta Chamber of Commerce AGM (May 22 - 24). This is a significant increase, both in number and quality of work over 2007.
Released Housing Affordability Report
The Chamber recognizes the link between the housing affordability and the ability to attract and retain workers - the number one issue facing members. The Chamber's report investigated Calgary's housing affordability since 1980 and offered comparison with other Canadian cities, discussed the factors that affect housing prices, and provided recommendations to improve the affordability of Calgary's residential real estate market.
As Calgary continues to grapple with high housing costs, both the real estate industry and the City must work together to reexamine approaches that would improve affordability. In this cooperative spirit, the Chamber's research determined that the City could best influence housing affordability through its land use and supply policies, and approval processes.
Media Release
Presentation Slides - Gaining Ground Summit - May 1, 2008
Municipal Land Development Policies and Regulations and the Impact on Calgary Housing Affordability Report
Ministerial Meetings
The Chamber held face-to-face meetings with six ministers during Q1 -Q2 and conveyed key membership positions on health care reform, the environment, labour shortages, and housing affordability.
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Alberta Health & Wellness, the Hon. Dave Hancock,
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Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, the Hon. Ted Morton
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Canada Indian Affairs & Northern Development, the Hon. Chuck Strahl
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Alberta Culture and Community Sprit, the Hon. Lindsay Blackett
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Alberta Environment, the Hon. Rob Renner
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Alberta Urban Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Yvonne Fritz
Op-Eds
In case you missed our op-eds published in the past few months, here is the collection that reflects your 2008 priorities.
2008 Member Priority: Labour shortages
2008 Member Priority: Transportation infrastructure
2008 Member Priority: Economic health and diversification
2008 Member Priority: Environment
2007 Member Priority: Housing Affordability/Homelessness
| Taxes | |
| Encouraging fiscal responsibility and savings | Minister of Finance spoke at the Chamber the day after the budget, and committed to pursue a savings strategy next year, one of the key recommendations of our pre-budget submission |
| Environment (climate change) | Chamber's climate change policy ideas part of provincial plan |
| Environment (land use) | Chamber recommendations featured in provincial land-use framework |
| Affordable housing | Partnership approach of Chamber's housing affordability report lauded by Minister |
Information and Feedback
In closing, let me say once again that your membership support is what allows us to continue to focus on improving the business environment, while you continue to focus on building business success.
Membership in the Calgary Chamber of Commerce allows you to pool resources with other business leaders to create a more effective and efficient advocacy organization - one that in the past year has seen a level of attention and impact for the Chamber that builds significantly on past successes, contributes to high profile public discourse, and produces better public policy results.
More information on our policy and advocacy efforts and the Chamber's Public & Government Affairs team is available on our website. I welcome your feedback on any of the issues that we've reported to you about in these updates, or others that you think the Chamber should undertake.
I can be reached at 750-0406 or by email at gpradella@calgarychamber.com.
Yours truly,
Geoffrey M. Pradella
Vice President, Public & Government Affairs
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Our Mission
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer driven, not-for-profit, and non-partisan advocacy group whose mission is to lead and serve the Calgary business community, valuing its diversity.
On critical and emerging issues in public policy, the Chamber acts as the leading forum for debate, and advocates public policy solutions that improve the business climate on behalf of our members.