October 23, 2009

Making oil & gas industry competitiveness a priority

This quarter the Calgary Chamber of Commerce worked to raise the importance of the oil & gas competitiveness review currently underway. Through ongoing meetings with key government decision-makers and an opinion editorial, the Chamber stressed the need to investigate areas of concern and to make Alberta the most competitive jurisdiction for energy investment in North America.

To the provincial government’s credit, this initiative appears to be moving forward. At the sidelines of the Global Business Forum in September, Premier Stelmach was quoted by the Calgary Herald: “I gave all the ministers clear direction that it is the main focus and I want to see decisions made very quickly. So many different jurisdictions are doing different things in the world and we’re not going to get left behind.” The Premier’s recent television address also highlighted the competitiveness review as a major priority.

In other action, the Chamber continued to encourage greater fiscal management and accountability at City Hall through an opinion editorial series and support for a Provincial Office of Municipal Auditor General.

Finally, we made sensible suggestions for EI reform, highlighted the importance of free trade to Canada’s economic recovery, and re-released our Pandemic Influenza Planning Toolkit focusing on the H1N1 pandemic threat.

More information on these initiatives and other highlights and results regarding membership priority themes (based on membership survey) are available below. The most up-to-date information is always available on our website and through Insight, our new Issues newsletter that keeps readers on top of emerging opportunities.

Oil & gas industry competitiveness critical to Alberta’s long-term prosperity

“Alberta is well positioned to be a leading energy producer for years to come,” said Heather Douglas, President & CEO with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “There is an exciting opportunity for the province to become the most competitive investment jurisdiction in critical areas such as fiscal measures, taxation and regulatory efficiency, which will position the province to capitalize on its strengths as the economic situation improves.”

Playing chicken with royalties

In a modern-day Aesop's fable, flocks of chickens have crossed from B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana -- coming home to roost in Alberta.

Provincial officials were flummoxed by this mass migration. The price of poultry dropped. Albertans complained they were sick of slaughtering and eating the birds. Sadly, Colonel Sanders reported layoffs as few wanted to buy their "finger-lickin' good dinners."

Like all fables, this too has a moral. Foolish deeds, like chickens, come home to roost. In Alberta's case, it is embodied in the infamous phrase: "Our fair share."

Everyone loses in a trade war

Obama took office as the world's financial markets plunged into a growling bear market recession.

His campaign slogan, 'Change we can believe in' quickly morphed into a joint chorus with Congress of 'Buy American,' as they faced the collapse of the real estate bubble, subprime mortgage debacle and rising unemployment.

During the first 100 days of his presidency, U.S. capitalists embraced socialists; the government nationalized companies allegedly "too large to fail," and, in the hallways of power, there was talk of imposing state controls. Congress upped its protectionist rhetoric as it approved a variety of stimulus packages.

Canada grew alarmed. One in five jobs in this country is linked to international trade and the U.S. is by far its largest trading partner (76% of exports and 65% of imports.

Everyone loses in a trade war and so retaliatory action is not an option.

Chamber Aboriginal Workforce Initiative reaches ‘action stage’

In the hectic past few years prior to the recession, Alberta companies searched far and wide for talent through international recruitment junkets, temporary foreign workers became common vernacular and Canada’s immigration system was pushed to brink. Things have slowed but workforce demands still remain.

“Long-term demographic changes and economic expansion will continue to drive demand for labour in Alberta,” said Ben Brunnen, Manager of Policy & Research at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Smart companies will plan for the next wave of growth.”

A key part of this workforce strategy should involve the Aboriginal community, contends Brunnen, who authored a Chamber research report on the subject.

Access the Aboriginal Workforce Initiative website

Fifth annual Career Show provides opportunities and resources to job seekers – Oct. 30 & 31, 2009

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the Talent Pool Development Society of Calgary are organizing the fifth annual Career Show, to be held at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park in October. It will provide business, educators and industry associations with an opportunity to meet face-to-face with Calgarians seeking career information and career management advice. The Show will again focus on getting students in the door and this year will have a feature for mature workers seeking second careers. It is a cost effective way of providing career information to potential and future workers and maintaining a corporate profile even if the company is not presently hiring. Show details are available at www.thecareershow.ca

EI equality needed

Canada is a great country because it has a social network to ease the transition back to work for the unemployed. Concerned Canadians believe their fellow citizens, without employment or means of support, should get financial help and this assistance must be fairly and equitably distributed.

Unfortunately, the badly named employment insurance (EI) distorts who can collect benefits (money and retraining/upgrading) and for how long. It entrenches higher rates of unemployment in areas already prone to seasonal work and penalizes employees in provinces, such as Alberta and Ontario, which faithfully paid their premiums for years and yet 40% are ineligible for benefits.

The business community is alarmed by the rhetoric of the various parties. Each tries to outdo the others with generous pre-campaign promises.

Poverty cycle must be broken

Canada's culture of innovation rests with its young people and children. During the 1970s, two in five Canadian children lived in poverty. Today one in five survive on welfare. More than one-third come from single-parent families and most live with their mothers.

Interestingly, the Native population represents the largest and youngest untapped labour force in the country. Unfortunately, many remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and rising levels of unemployment.

There is a clear need for a holistic partnership approach to improve Native participation in the labour market that involves government, business, Native communities and service providers.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce has pondered what choices Canada has to make today to ensure this partnership successfully encourages skilled and productive workers.

Independent Office of Municipal Auditor General would help local governments deliver higher value to citizens

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce offered strong support for Bill 202, the Municipal Government (Municipal Auditor General) Amendment Act, in a letter and submission sent to members of the Standing Committee on Community Services, currently reviewing the legislation.

“The Chamber has long advocated for the creation of a provincial Office of the Municipal Auditor General to improve expenditure and accountability standards,” said Heather Douglas, President & CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Strengthening the municipal audit function for Alberta municipal governments will provide assurances to businesses and prospective investors that tax dollars are being spent in compliance with local decisions, stated priorities and business plans, best practices, and due regard to issues of economy and efficiency.”

Letter to Standing Committee on Community Services

Op-Ed Series – Encouraging fiscal management and accountability of City Council

Crossing street for democracy

No quotas on Hansom cabs

The public purse isn't bottomless

Pandemic Influenza Planning Toolkit for Business

As the number of human cases of H1N1 influenza ("swine flu"), a virus many experts believe has the potential to trigger a global pandemic outbreak, continues to rise around the world, businesses should be aware of the steps they can take to mitigate the threat of pandemic influenza. Scientists and health professionals agree that the effects of a pandemic on the public-at-large will be widespread and disruptive. The impact on businesses may also be severe as projected rates of staff absenteeism and death will reduce human resources and hinder key operations.

In response to this ongoing threat, the Chamber released A Pandemic Influenza Planning Toolkit to provide its members, and other interested organizations, with an easy-to-use guide for developing an internal pandemic influenza response strategy.

Visit the website
Pandemic Influenza Planning Toolkit
Op-Ed: Getting ready for the flu

Chamber Committees gearing up for another exciting season

The Chamber’s eight standing committees are kicking off the fall season and developing innovative solutions on important topics such as weathering the current economic storm, climate change approaches, oil & gas competitiveness, health care reform, tax competitiveness, strengthening the workforce and transportation.

Great guest speakers that discuss cutting edge topics, the chance to network with key industry leaders and government decision-makers, and the opportunity to develop policy that improves the business environment, are a few of the reasons why our volunteers join and stay as committee members.

More information on our policy and advocacy efforts, as well as the Chamber's Public & Government Affairs team, is available on our website.

I can be reached at 403-750-0406 or by email at gpradella@calgarychamber.com

Geoffrey M. Pradella
Vice President, Public & Government Affairs
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce

Our Mission

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, sustainable organization whose mission is to connect, serve and champion the Calgary business community in its quest to excel.

The Public & Government Affairs Department measurably contributes to the Chamber's profile and effectiveness as the leading edge business advocate and forum for debate, and a credible source for policy analysis and issue commentary that advocates new and innovative solutions to improve the business climate on behalf of our members.