July 20, 2010
Celebrating new initiatives to improve energy industry competitiveness and reduce interprovincial trade barriers
Advocating for a more efficient regulatory environment and new ideas for national energy and climate change policy development
The second quarter featured new membership priorities and some big wins. The provincial government announced a new initiative in May to capitalize on Alberta’s unconventional deep resource pools. Along with previously announced changes to conventional oil and natural gas royalty rates, this will position Alberta to attract more investment, create new jobs and spur additional economic activity. About half of the province’s economy is directly or indirectly associated with the oil and gas industry, so all businesses will benefit - from the driller to the dry cleaner. The Chamber was a key advocacy voice for change, and was involved in consultations to develop a more competitive framework.
As a follow up from the review, the Chamber recently made recommendations to improve the efficiency of the regulatory environment. “The Calgary Chamber of Commerce plays such a vital role in Calgary, and I would like to take the time to acknowledge the great work of your Chamber for the betterment of your city,” stated MLA Diana McQueen, Chair of the Regulatory Enhancement Task Force in a letter responding to the submission.
In another significant accomplishment, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan recently signed the New West Partnership to create Canada’s largest interprovincial trade barrier free zone, encompassing nine million people and a combined GDP of more than $550 billion. The Chamber has been a strong proponent to drive this forward. Benefits to Alberta businesses include:
- Suppliers can access B.C. and Saskatchewan Crown corporation and municipal procurement opportunities;
- Bigger labour pool - increased labour mobility through mutual recognition of workers’ credentials;
- Red-tape reduced through mutual recognition of regulations between the three provinces; and
- Seamless business registration in all three provinces.
The second quarter was also marked by the launch of our Changing The Climate policy and events series. Developed in partnership with the Canada West Foundation and presented by ENMAX, the series aims to contribute ideas for national energy and climate change policy development. The program launched in May 2010 and will conclude with the release of a policy paper (encompassing expert commentary from the series and strategic recommendations) at the final series event in November. Speakers have included Canada’s Ambassador to the United States of America Gary Doer Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice, and climate change tech fund Chairman Eric Newell, among others. Exciting keynote speakers in the fall include T. Boone Pickens. View our website for more information and to register.
In addition, the Government of Alberta kicked off its Economic Competitiveness Initiative. The Chamber was a major supporter of its creation and was pleased to be invited to initial consultations. As you may be aware, our organization makes yearly pre-budget submissions at all levels of government which emphasize actions to improve economic competitiveness. Canada’s improving corporate tax competitiveness can be attributed to vocal groups such as the Chamber.
More information on these actions and other highlights regarding membership priorities are available below. The most up-to-date information is available the way you want it:
- Visit our website
- Read Insight, our monthly electronic issues newsletter
- View updates on Facebook - Become a fan
It is member involvement in our standing committees and membership support that makes this possible.
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ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS |
Action Themes
- Reduce tax and regulatory burdens
- Ensure energy industry competitiveness
- Increase productivity
- Grow trade and investment
Creating a more efficient regulatory system
In a letter to Diana McQueen, the MLA heading up efforts to improve the efficiency of the oil and gas regulatory system, the Chamber recommended the Government of Alberta consider moving from a multi-agency delivery model to a more integrated approach up to and considering a single regulator.
The Chair of the Regulatory Enhancement Task Force, MLA Diana McQueen, acknowledged the important contribution made by the Chamber to the review. < View letter >
Competitiveness Review gets fiscal terms right
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce welcomed the latest royalty curve announcement on May 27. The Emerging Technology Initiative, which recognizes the high-cost of developing Alberta’s unconventional and deep resource pools, along with previously announced changes to conventional oil and natural gas royalty rates, will position Alberta more competitively.
“These changes will help restore investor confidence and attract new investment,” said Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “It creates a better risk-reward scenario and recognizes the high cost of new technology to access Alberta’s unconventional resources. The result will be more jobs and prosperity for all businesses, from the driller to the dry cleaner.”
The Chamber was involved in Competitiveness Review consultations, providing a formal submission.
Proud partner in the 'Alberta is Energy' initiative
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) partnered with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and seven other industry groups to launch the ‘Alberta is Energy’ campaign, promoting the economic benefits of the industry and the role it plays in meeting world energy demand in a socially and responsible way.
Changing The Climate initiative launched with Lochman event
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Canada West Foundation kicked off the Changing The Climate policy and event series with Laura Lochman, Consul General of the United States for Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Changing The Climate aims to contribute ideas for national energy and climate change policy development.
“The bottom line is that we are truly a North American energy market,” said Lochman at the Chamber breakfast event on May 10. “And Canada is our most secure and most reliable foreign source of energy in the world.”
Other leading thought-leaders in the series have included:
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Eric Newell, Chairman, Alberta Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation
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Jim Carter, Chairman, Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council and Ian MacGregor, Chair of Enhance Energy
- Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Gary Doer, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States of America
The series will continue in the fall, highlighted by T. Boone Pickens. Changing The Climate is presented by ENMAX.
Full story
Changing The Climate web resource
Calgary Chamber participates in Alberta Competitiveness Forum
More than 120 senior government and industry leaders gathered on June 2 to discuss ways the province can attract investment and increase innovation and productivity. The forum kicked off work on the Alberta Competitiveness Act, a partnership between government and business to strengthen the economy and Albertans’ quality of life.
“Economic competitiveness is our members’ number one priority,” said Ben Brunnen, Director of Policy & Research and Chief Economist. “We must ensure we have the best foundation in place for business to succeed. We are pleased to be invited to the forum and participate on behalf of Calgary’s business community.”
KPMG corporate tax study ranks Canada second in competitiveness
Canada has the second lowest tax cost for businesses, according to a KPMG special report. The research, focused on tax, is a detailed follow-up to a March study that examined the impact of 26 significant business cost components. Canada finished second overall in both studies.
Canada’s corporate tax rate has declined from a high of 35 per cent in 2000 to 18 per cent now. Government intends to further reduce the rate to 15 per cent by 2012, positioning Canada with the lowest statutory corporate income tax rate in the G7.
“We have been a strong voice in advocating for improved corporate tax competitiveness,” said Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public and Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “This study indicates we are making progress.”
New West Partnership creates Canada's largest free trade zone
Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan recently launched the New West Partnership to create Canada’s largest interprovincial trade barrier free zone, encompassing nine million people and a combined GDP of more than $550 billion.
“Elimination of interprovincial trade barriers is a straightforward way to improve our economic competitiveness and grow trade and investment,” said Geoff Pradella, Vice-President of Public & Government Affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Our Chamber has been a major proponent to drive this forward. We commend the Government of Alberta for its leadership on this issue.”
Calgary Chamber crowd votes ‘no’ to a single securities regulator
Alberta Securities Commission Chairman Bill Rice and Toronto lawyer Phil Anisman squared off in a debate at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce earlier this month over whether Canada needs a single securities body. According to attendees, Rice came out the winner.
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GOVERNMENT FISCAL MANAGEMENT |
Action Themes
- Eliminate deficit and debt
- Exercise spending control
- Heighten transparency and accountability
- Create a provincial saving strategy
Tax and Economic Affairs Committee is the Chamber's fiscal watchdog
Members of the Chamber’s Tax and Economic Affairs Committee (TEAC) are a tough bunch to impress.
“We want to see value for money,” says Gordon VanderLeek, Chair of TEAC and lawyer with VanderLeek Law. “Governments must demonstrate that their spending is necessary and that their operations are the most efficient possible.”
TEAC members are the chief architects of pre-budget submissions at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Pre-budget themes and recommendations are based on membership survey each year.
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LOCAL BUSINESS SUCCESS |
Action Themes
- Cut red tape
- Target crime and enhance security
- Build and maintain transportation infrastructure
- Meet workforce demands
Aboriginal awareness training helps businesses seize opportunities
Duane Monea shook his head in agreement with the presenter; the opportunities to work with Aboriginal communities are endless. Monea attended the Chamber’s Aboriginal Awareness training workshop in April. Sessions are running monthly.
“I have had awareness training a number of times over the past 23 years and this is the best I have seen,” said Duane Monea, Director of Government Relations with MEG Energy Corp and Chair of the Chamber’s Natural Resources Committee. “It was a very honest discussion and comprehensive. I would definitely recommend it.”
Full story
Learn more about the Chamber’s Aboriginal Awareness Initiative
CN confirms Calgary as a major logistics hub with new rail yard
Calgary is at the heart of the country’s transportation action, said new CN President & CEO Claude Mongeau during a keynote address to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. It was Mongeau’s first public speech since taking the helm at CN in January.
Transportation Committee keeps Calgary on the move
Airport expansion, ring road construction and the Calgary Regional Plan are a few of the topics on the radar screen of Transportation Committee members.
“Transportation and logistics are vital to all businesses and our quality of life,” says Linda Lucas, Chair of the Transportation Committee and President, ELLE and Associates Inc. “Often we take it for granted that a product or service is there when we want it. But there’s a complex supply chain behind delivery.”
Calgary’s transportation and logistics sector continues to grow. The city is the third largest distribution centre in Canada and the logistics hub for the region.
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HEALTH CARE |
Action Themes
- Ensure efficient spending and delivery of services
- Improve access, quality and sustainability
- Address mental health in the workplace
- Advocate changes to the legislative framework
Chamber Health Committee aims for system renewal
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce’s Health Committee hopes to encourage debate about health care reform.
“Health care is a sensitive topic,” says Sharyl Madigan, Chair of the Chamber Health Committee and President of Corporate Designed Solutions, Inc. “We approach the subject with no bias – all options are on the table. Our goal is to improve access, quality, and sustainability of the system.”
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Calgary Chamber puts member priorities forefront at Alberta Chambers AGM
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce passed six policy resolutions at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce AGM over the May 15th weekend. Member priorities of economic competitiveness, government fiscal management, local business success and health care were addressed in the resolutions.
Each year Chambers of Commerce from across the province meet annually to approve policy resolutions that form the basis for advocacy by Alberta Chambers of Commerce staff that are based in Edmonton.
Full story
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 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. We are the leading edge business advocate and forum for debate, and a credible source for policy analysis and issue commentary. We advocate new and innovative solutions to improve the business climate on behalf of our members.