Calgary Chamber statement on inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

The following statement is attributable to Murray Sigler, interim CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce:

Calgary, January 20, 2021 – The Calgary Chamber of Commerce congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration, officially marking a new chapter in the long and storied history of our two countries’ relationship.

In the months ahead, we look forward to collaborating with all levels of government and our U.S. government partners to enable certainty and stability for the Calgary business community, and advance economic recovery on both sides of the border.

There are many shared priorities and opportunities for Canada and the U.S., including: combatting COVID-19 and reopening our borders, streamlining our regulatory systems, addressing climate change through innovation, and facilitating market access for the goods upon which Americans and Canadians rely.

At the same time, we are troubled by the anticipated cancellation of the Keystone XL permit – a project that would advance a Canada-U.S. partnership approach to job creation and sustainable resource development, as we transition together to the low-carbon economy of the future. With no closer relationship than our two nations, we urge collaboration and dialogue to move this project, and other transnational projects forward.

As a signatory of North American Rebound Campaign, we believe that now more than ever, Canada and the U.S. must work together as integrated economic partners. This includes expanding market access opportunities between our two countries, so that we can spur a sustainable recovery for Canadians and Americans and compete globally to meet the challenges we’ll face together in the years to come.

About the Calgary Chamber

The Calgary Chamber is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan business organization. For 130 years, the Chamber has worked to build a business community that nourishes, powers, and inspires the world.

For media inquiries, please contact Marina Connors; Acting Director, Policy and Communications; at media@calgarychamber.com or at (403) 750-0401.