October 28, 2010

Discussing priorities and new ideas during the municipal election

This quarter the Calgary Chamber of Commerce played an active role leading up to the municipal election by launching GreatCalgary.ca, an interactive website designed to get Calgarians talking about how to make Calgary even greater. We released 15 Policy Action Briefs in the priority themes of governance; growth and development; and finance - each of which presented tangible ideas and opportunities to strengthen Calgary, as well as specific actions that can be implemented immediately.

In addition, we hosted a successful Mayoral Forum on Oct. 5 in conjunction with SAIT and supported by 12 community partners. Citytv’s Mike McCourt moderated a lively debate with over 400 attendees. Pictures are posted on our Great Calgary Facebook site. Event clips and results from a survey of Mayoral candidates are also available at GreatCalgary.ca.

Check out our new Mayor’s responses here.

Looking Forward

As Calgary’s Mayor and Aldermen settle into their City Council seats, our community has high hopes. The Calgary Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with our elected officials to make a great Calgary even greater.

How can you get involved?

• Let us know what you think by leaving a comment on our Great Calgary website or Great Calgary Facebook site
• Respond to our electronic surveys to ensure we address the issues most important to you
• Get involved – join our Municipal Directions Committee

Strengthening health care delivery

Over the summer months, the Chamber participated in consultations to develop a new Alberta Health Act. In 2010, Chamber members identified ‘health care’ as a top policy priority impacting their business. Our members recognize that quality health care can serve as a distinct advantage to attract businesses and talented workers and that health care costs represent over 40 per cent of the provincial budget, threatening to crowd out other important programs.

The Chamber recommended that the provincial government adopt the principle of ‘enabling flexible delivery and access choice’ to recognize the potential contribution of the private sector to reduce costs, encourage innovation and improve access in a publicly funded health system.

We believe competition and a greater number of private providers would strengthen the publicly funded system and help reduce waiting times. The Chamber is not advocating a private, parallel system with private insurance, rather a mixed model of delivery of publicly funded health services.

The Government of Alberta intends to introduce the new Alberta Health Act this fall sitting and we intend to be active on this policy file.

Changing The Climate policy and event series

T. Boone Pickens highlighted the fall portion of our highly successful 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 at a final series event in 2011. 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. View our website for more information.

Aboriginal Awareness Initiative – Doing Business On-Reserve

About 100 people attended a Doing Business On-Reserve Conference this month, the latest action in the Chamber’s Aboriginal Workforce Initiative. The half day of presentations detailed benefits, legal practices, investment opportunities and protocols for doing business on-reserve. Treaty 7 First Nations Economic Development Officers were on hand to make connections and discuss specific opportunities, while Provincial Aboriginal Relations Minister Len Webber provided a keynote luncheon speech. Conference resources are now available online. Visit now.

In addition, the Chamber continues to offer Aboriginal awareness training at a very affordable rate. This training is a vital component to working successfully with the Aboriginal community. Learn more and register.

Building on the success of the Aboriginal Workforce Initiative, the Chamber intends to launch an Aboriginal Business and Investment Series shortly. To learn more and get involved, contact Ben Brunnen (bbrunnen@calgarychamber.com or 403-750-0442). Sponsorship opportunities are available.

It is member involvement in our standing committees and membership support that makes this possible.

STAYING CONNECTED

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
• Follow us on Twitter

CHANGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Finally, it is with a mixture of excitement about future prospects, but sadness at leaving friends and colleagues, that I announce my departure from the Chamber of Commerce at the end of October.

The last four years have been an extraordinary experience, and being part of transformational leadership in an important civic and business organization has been extremely rewarding – indeed, something about which the entire Chamber team can be deservedly proud. The Calgary Chamber has proven itself as an incomparable place in which to learn, meet a broad range of exceptional people, and build a network – and it has been my privilege to have served, and worked with you as Chamber members and supporters.

As you also know, the Chamber has recently transitioned to new leadership and the organisation is well positioned going forward. As I approach the fourth anniversary of my time at the Chamber, many have been asking (some for up to a year) when I planned to return to a focus in law, medicine, ethics, public policy and corporate public affairs. In anticipation of transition, I engaged our Board Chair this spring regarding my future plans, and the extent to which I could coordinate my departure and contribute to a smooth transition.

So while deciding to leave the Chamber has been a difficult choice, the time is right to move on, with the organisation in good shape and in good hands.

The Chamber’s policy, government and public affairs will continue to grow and move forward under the capable leadership of Ben Brunnen, Director of Policy and Research and Chief Economist. Our successful events and keynote speaker businesses will similarly continue to thrive under the direction and leadership of Events Manager Craig Watt. Both will report directly to our new and very capable President & CEO, Adam Legge – so if you have yet met these folks, please be sure to connect with them in the days and weeks ahead.

In closing, let me say a huge and sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone who has made my time at the Chamber the memorable experience it has been – and while no longer in this role – I very much look forward to our keeping in touch, and to our paths continuing to cross.

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.