April 20, 2009
Calgary's newest think tank releases major research report to link the business community with the largest pool of untapped talent
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to improving the business climate on behalf of its members. Through surveys we ensure that we continue to focus on the issues most important to your business. The 2009 priorities, which you have recently identified, and which will guide the work of the Chamber's committees and public policy advocacy efforts, are:
1. Weathering the current economic storm
2. Tax competitiveness (municipal, provincial and federal)
3. Energy industry competitiveness and environmental sustainability
4. Workforce development
5. Fiscal management and accountability of Calgary City Council
In the first quarter we created new ideas and solutions to address these priority areas and other pressing issues that you identified in past surveys.
The Chamber also successfully released its second major research report Completing the Circle that addresses businesses' need for a local and reliable workforce and seeks to improve labour market outcomes of Aboriginal people. The report was unveiled at a Symposium that brought together business and First Nations leaders, government officials and Aboriginal service providers. A webpage containing all conference-related material and key findings will be available shortly, providing a valuable resource to employers.
Below is more information on the report and other highlights. The most up-to-date information is always available on our website and through eConnecting, our electronic newsletter.
WEATHERING THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STORM & IMPROVING TAX COMPETITIVENESS
Chamber advocacy results in major tax savings in 2009 federal budget
The federal budget contained $20 billion in new tax relief over the next five years, with major initiatives such as an increase in the basic personal amount and the threshold at which the two lowest personal income tax brackets take effect. It also includes substantive measures to lower the burden on small businesses, and improve access to credit. Planned and previously announced corporate tax reductions, reducing the rate from 22.12 in 2007 to 15 per cent by 2012, were continued, positioning Canada as the most competitive of the G7 countries.
"Our efforts to improve tax competitiveness on behalf of our members have paid off at a critically important time," says Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "We made a strong case in our 2009 Pre-Budget Submission, and were pleased to see the government implement almost all of our key recommendations."
Full Story
News Release - 2009 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
2009 Federal Pre-budget Submission
Chamber urges personal tax cuts in pre-budget meeting with federal minister
The Chamber advised the federal government to make personal tax relief a major component of the upcoming budget as discussed in a Jan. 8 meeting with the Minister of National Revenue, Jean-Pierre Blackburn.
"All regions in Canada have been impacted by the economic downturn," said Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "Alberta is not immune. Therefore, any federal initiatives must be strategic, time-limited and focused on creating the maximum benefit for all Canadians."
Chamber helps defeat U.S protectionism
Chambers of Commerce across Canada united in a campaign to reaffirm to our American neighbours the importance of free trade to economic recovery, and in doing so, successfully altered a "Buy American" provision in the recently enacted U.S. stimulus package. Thanks to these advocacy efforts, the provision was modified to require that existing international trade agreements not be violated, essentially eliminating the protectionist threat to Canada.
As a partner in this initiative, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce urged its members to contact U.S. suppliers and friends and explain why such a measure could backfire. They were also asked to contact their Senators and House representatives to have the "Buy American" provisions removed, or an exemption added for Canada.
Increasing trade opportunities through open skies aviation policy
Opening Canada's skies to more foreign competition would increase tourism and trade opportunities and ultimately benefit consumers, said a panel of aviation experts hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in February.
"With governments looking to stimulate a struggling economy, liberalized air policy allows us to increase trade and tourism opportunities with little to no expenditure of public funds," said Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
"We will continue to raise awareness of both the opportunity and issue, because of the enormous benefits that open skies expansion represents for the business community, and our members."
ENERGY INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Help for junior and mid-cap companies
As junior energy companies struggle with plummeting commodity prices and difficulties accessing credit, Premier Ed Stelmach offered some hint of relief at a major speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
"We were pleased to see initiatives to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the energy sector, especially the 'junior' oil and gas companies and small explorers and producers who have been faced by a series of challenges in the last few months," said Geoff Pradella, Vice- President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "In a recent meeting with Deputy Premier Ron Stevens, we stressed how important fiscal policy, including royalties and taxation, is to investment decisions and industry growth."
Energy Minister Mel Knight announced a new study to compare Alberta's competitiveness for oil & gas investment with competing jurisdictions in Canada and certain U.S. states. Topics will include royalties, taxes, regulation and other issues, and will be completed by September.
Chamber urges federal government to avoid a cap-and-trade system
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce recommends that the federal government does not move forward with a cap-and-trade system and instead partners with industry on a major energy innovation drive to reduce greenhouse gases, as outlined in a briefing note prepared for Canada's Environment Minister, Jim Prentice.
"Cap-and-trade represents a tax on industry that will be passed along to the consumer, raising energy prices," states the brief. "Canadians have already dismissed the concept of a 'carbon tax' (in BC and in the last federal election) and are unlikely to support energy price increases during this economic downturn."
Full story
The Chamber's Briefing Note for the Minister of Environment Jim Prentice
Meeting with Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations focused on competitiveness
Members of the Chamber's Environment and Natural Resources Committees, along with its policy team, made economic and environmental policy recommendations during a December meeting with Ron Stevens, provincial Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Members continued their call for a competitive royalty regime during their conversation with the Minister, and suggested the government expand its plan to promote new drilling application through transitional royalty rates, thereby promoting growth throughout the industry.
Transportation Utility Corridor program could alleviate costly and divisive land use conflicts
New provincial legislation to enable the Government of Alberta to identify and set aside land for large infrastructure projects for transportation, utilities and water management has the potential to reduce land use conflicts. The Calgary Chamber of Commerce made this recommendation last year during the Provincial Land Use Framework consultation, and was pleased to see its adoption in new legislation.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Aboriginal Workforce Symposium links business to largest source of untapped talent
Business and First Nations leaders, government officials and Aboriginal service providers gathered at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce symposium on March 25 and 26 to discuss how to improve labour market outcomes of Aboriginal people and fulfill businesses' need for a local and reliable workforce.
A major research report released by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce at the Symposium found that increasing Aboriginal employment rates to levels similar to the non-Aboriginal population may provide 14,000 additional workers to the provincial economy.
"We can't lose sight of the big picture as we read the day-to-day headlines," stated Pradella. "Economic expansion and demographic changes will continue to create job opportunities in our province, and Aboriginal people are a key source of talent that can be found locally. In fact, they are the largest untapped labour force in Alberta."
Full story
News release
Completing the Circle - research report
FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF CALGARY CITY COUNCIL
Calgary Chamber urges City to "park the fee increases"
Concerned about the impact to downtown and area businesses, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce urged City Council to reconsider recent parking fee increases, as part of a series of Calgary Herald interviews in the past two weeks.
"The Chamber is concerned about the timing of these, and other rate increases during a period where many families and businesses are cutting back," said Geoff Pradella, Vice President, Public and Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "It is especially troubling after the double digit property tax increase in City Council's recent budget."
Chamber efforts ensure property assessment complaint fees remain fair
The Government of Alberta recently limited the amount municipalities can charge taxpayers to file a compliant against their property tax assessment. The move ensures the appeal system provides the widest possible access, while deterring frivolous appeals. The limit was placed after the Calgary Chamber and other business organizations raised concerns over the City of Calgary's recent changes to the fee structure.
Chamber and Alderman Joe Ceci work on S.E. transportation solutions
The Chamber's Transportation and Logistics Committee met with Alderman Joe Ceci, who represents the S.E. industrial area, to improve goods movement in the city. Rail crossings and a lack of investment in road capacity in the area were hot topics during the December 2008 meeting.
"We discussed the importance of the industry to Calgary's future growth," said Ben Brunnen, Manager of Policy of Research with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "The city needs to place a higher priority on building strategic infrastructure to enable the transportation and logistics sector to build upon its current success."
BizPaL makes obtaining a business permit or licence more user friendly
Getting a business up and running got a whole lot easier last month with the introduction of BizPaL, a new online tool designed to help entrepreneurs identify which permits and licences they need and how to obtain them.
The partnership among the City of Calgary, Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada is designed to cut down on paperwork and reduce red tape.
"The Chamber is pleased to see BizPaL up and running in our city," said Geoff Pradella, Vice- President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "Providing this innovative tool was a key recommendation of our Renaissance Calgary strategy released during the 2007 municipal election. It will improve the way we do business in the city."
MINISTERIAL MEETINGS
The Chamber held interactive, round-table meetings with Ministers and Deputy Ministers in critical portfolios during Q1 and conveyed key membership positions to improve the competitiveness of the energy industry, encourage greater tax competitiveness and workforce development.
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Alberta Assistant Deputy Minister of Energy, Mike Ekelund
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Federal Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State, the Hon. Jean-Pierre Blackburn
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Alberta Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, the Hon. Ted Morton
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Federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, the Hon. Chuck Strahl
OP-EDS
In addition to these highlights, the Chamber published numerous op-eds on your priority issues.
Workforce development - engagement of Aboriginal talent
We can't afford to waste talent
Housing affordability as a competitiveness factor to long-term global talent recruitment and retention
Great cities build affordable housing
Improving Alberta's attractiveness for investment through the creation of a single securities regulator
Sole securities regulator would revive economy
Provincial Pre-Budget Recommendations - The Chamber's Six Point Competitiveness Plan
Wise spending order of day
Downtown parking fees
Curbs needed on parking fees
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, as well as the Chamber's Public & Government Affairs team, is available on our website. I welcome your feedback on any of the issues that we have reported to you in these updates, or others that you think the Chamber should undertake.
I can be reached at 403-750-0406 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.