Calgary Chamber calls for next City Council to put Calgary on the path to reach our potential

Calgary, August 4, 2021 – Ahead of the October municipal election, today the Calgary Chamber launches “Pathways to Potential,” a solutions-focused guide to a strong economic recovery and a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous future for Calgary.

“The upcoming municipal election presents an important opportunity for the next City Council to leverage Calgary’s strengths as an entrepreneurial and welcoming city, positioned to seize the economic opportunities of today and tomorrow,” says Calgary Chamber President and CEO, Deborah Yedlin. “Getting there means addressing the barriers business face, while finding areas of common ground across all sectors that lead to meaningful partnerships and collaboration to accelerate our economic recovery.” As the voice for Calgary business, we’ve put forward five pathways alongside solutions-focused recommendations as a road map for our future City Council.

Since the 2017 election, Calgary has experienced stiff economic headwinds, more recently exacerbated by the global pandemic. Along with a lingering sense of uncertainty impacting investment and economic growth, businesses in Calgary have been negatively affected by significant and disparate property tax hikes, challenges to attract and retain talent, and reverberating impacts of record downtown vacancy rates. Businesses are also challenged while navigating the complexities of city hall.

Along with solutions to support economic recovery and increase the vibrancy of the downtown core, the Chamber’s platform focuses on recommendations that address inclusion, diversity, and mental health.

“We need to lay the groundwork for an economic landscape that is diversified by sector, demographic and talent – key elements to ensuring a broad, sustainable and inclusive economy. Our new Council will play an important role in achieving these objectives and bold action will be required to realize the City’s immediate and long-term potential,” says Yedlin.

Pathways to Potential

Pathway 1: Attract, retain, and invest in talent

Pathway 2: Rebalance and stabilize property taxes

Pathway 3: Reimagine Calgary's downtown

Pathway 4: Create an inclusive Calgary

Pathway 5: Make it easier to do business in Calgary

Pathways to Potential has been developed with broad input from the Calgary business community including small and medium businesses, top executives, academics, and community leaders.

“The Calgary business community has told us that we have a rare opportunity to position Calgary as a beacon of potential where the world’s best and brightest choose to live, work, and play,” says Yedlin. “Our platform provides concrete recommendations and guideposts for our future City Council to follow - and ensure Calgary can be a magnet for new talent, new businesses and new industries. The pandemic has taught us that we are better when we work together. It’s time to reach for the future and for what is possible for the Calgarians of today – and tomorrow.”

To find out more about the Chamber’s Pathways to Potential platform visit www.calgarychamber.com/pathwaystopotential.

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 inquires, please contact media@calgarychamber.com or call 403-909-7697.