Alberta Investor Tax Credit: Your Chamber's advocacy at work

Last week your Calgary Chamber joined Alberta's Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deron Bilous, to release new details on the implementation of the Alberta Investor Tax Credit.

This announcement represents a big win for the business community, and is an initiative we've championed every step of the way. The key news? The AITC is open to businesses from a wide range of industries, and investments made immediately are eligible for the credit.

Watch this video from our Policy Director Justin Smith, or check out the official release from the Alberta Government, to learn more about the program.

Helping get crude to tidewater

Recently we had the opportunity to present before the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications to weigh in on its strategy development for the transport of crude oil across Canada on behalf of our 1700 members.

We have one simple goal: to give you, our members, and the business community as a whole, a voice in a process that is vital to Canada's economic future. Partnership and collaboration is key.

Your business priorities for the fall session of Federal Parliament

Two weeks ago, the federal members of Parliament dusted off their desks and went back to Ottawa for the beginning of the fall session. From setting targets on carbon emissions to decisions on building pipelines, and ratification of new free trade agreements to indigenous affairs and the innovation agenda, there is no shortage of hot-button political issues to test the federal government.

For Calgary business, we've identified four key priorities that we'll be keeping a close eye on: Pipelines, free trade, climate change, and the tanker ban.

National advocacy for your business: The 2016 Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM

The current economic climate is in a downward spiral and we may not have seen the bottom, yet. Chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada together form a strong and respected voice that brings the issues facing the collective business communities to the forefront of Parliament hill. To do this chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada submit resolutions of a national scope to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce policy committees every year at the AGM.

For 2016 we submitted five vital resolutions, and we proud to announce all were adopted at the 2016 AGM in September, and will be advocated for at the Federal government level.

We were also recognized as the top Chamber in Canada.

Voice your thoughts on the minimum wage increase

This past weekend Alberta’s minimum wage increased to $12.20 per hour. Increases have already been scheduled for the next 2 years as well on course for a $15/hour minimum wage in 2018.

If this has a significant impact on your business, positive or negative, we’d love to hear from you. There will be opportunities to contribute to the Chamber’s policy work, and potentially even to be featured in the media.