Welcome to the August edition of Influence, the Chamber’s policy newsletter. As your Chamber, we are proud to be your Podium of Record where we investigate issues, provide the facts and advocate for what’s best for the Calgary business community. What does it mean to be fiscally responsible?As all three levels of governments head back to their respective legislatures in the fall, work on their annual budgets, and as we prepare for federal and provincial elections in the next year, it is time we talk about “fiscal responsibility”. All political parties, those in government and those hoping to be the next government, claim to be fiscally responsible – but what does this mean? Dive DeeperPutting your voice first in the 2019 federal budget submissionTo inform their 2019 budget, the Federal Government requested feedback on how they can support Canadian businesses to help grow the economy. The submission deadline was August 3. After consulting with the Calgary business community, we provided recommendations on the following four areas that will impact business competitiveness and economic growth: 1. Enhancing tax competitiveness 2. Improving the regulatory environment 3. Supporting small business growth 4. Improving workforce productivity Stat ChatEvery week we share relevant key economic indicators in our weekly newsletter, eConnecting, that Calgary businesses should be aware of. To learn more about the statistics covered throughout August click on the image and read the short write-up. Give your input[Survey] What questions does your business need answered before you vote on Calgary 2026?The City of Calgary is considering a bid to host the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There will be a plebiscite on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 asking “Are you for - or are you against - Calgary hosting the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games?” In this survey we would like input, from the perspective of your business, on what information you need and what questions you want answered, before you vote. EventsIntellectual property strategy📅 September 12, 2018 🕒 8:30 am – 9:30 am 📍 Calgary Chamber To help you understand how to use IP to your business' advantage, we're hosting a workshop in partnership with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Here, you will learn about IP fundamentals as well as the importance of including an IP strategy in your overall business plans. This seminar will help you to better understand the ways you can use your IP to build and protect your business from competitors, use it to create important partnerships or take your business global. Cannabis 101 - What your business needs to know📅 September 19, 2018 🕒 8:30 am – 9:30 am 📍 Calgary Chamber On October 17th cannabis will be legal, making Canada the second country in the world to fully legalize recreational marijuana. With a new industry being created, many businesses have questions about the impacts that these changes will have. To help ensure that your business is ready for legalization the Chamber is hosting a series of workshops featuring experts from the cannabis industry. On September 19th we will be hosting the next workshop in the series at the Chamber with 420 Advisory Management. Get inspired this fall with Dianne Wilkins from Critical Mass📅 September 27, 2018 🕒 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm 📍 Bella Concert Hall A couple of decades ago, Critical Mass set down roots in Calgary as a small advertising shop of 25 people. Today it's a global experience design agency of 950, with offices in 11 cities on 3 continents. At the helm as CEO is Dianne Wilkins, molding and guiding this juggernaut of a forward-looking, digital-first agency through the choppy waters of global expansion. Join us for the first edition of Inspire: The Leadership Series to hear from Dianne on Critical Mass' path to success and the decisions she had to make along the way to support global growth. Ticket packs for the entire Inspire series are also on sale! |