Calgary Chamber urges focus on pandemic response and economic recovery during upcoming sitting of the Legislature

Calgary, October 25, 2021 – As the Alberta Legislature reconvenes today, the Calgary Chamber encourages the government to focus on several key priorities to support businesses as they navigate ongoing pandemic challenges and look ahead to a strong economic recovery.

“In midst of the fourth wave, the business community requires bold leadership to stabilize our public health system and economy,” says Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO. “Businesses need strong public policy that provides certainty and urgent action on key priorities that will advance our economic recovery.”

On behalf of the Calgary business community, we urge the Alberta Government to prioritize the following:

• Pass legislation enabling workplaces to mandate vaccination for employees, helping keep the economy open and people safe
• Reach a deal with the federal government on affordable, high-quality childcare to support the return to work for parents and a healthy start for our children
• Provide businesses with wage support and commercial rent relief to backfill the gap left by the expiry of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and introduction of new federal support programs
• Abate the Alberta Tourism Levy until December 31, 2021, in light of ongoing challenges facing the sector
• Support immediate job creation and help address the labour shortage by launching the next round of the Alberta Jobs Now Program
• Accelerate the distribution of supports, including the REP Implementation Grant and the REP Training Grant to alleviate the burden placed on businesses
• Implement the federal vaccination certification system urgently, particularly to support tourism and travel industries
• Ensure booster vaccinations are available for all Albertans within six months of their second vaccination
• Advance the work of the CORE Working Group focused on revitalizing Calgary’s downtown
• Help businesses adopt e-commerce platforms and digital strategies
• Re-introduce the Alberta Investor Tax Credit to support research, development, and commercialization of new and attract capital
• Invest in diversification by advancing the mines and minerals strategy, funding accelerators and incubators, and supporting research at post-secondary institutions

“Working closely with the business community on these priorities will support and accelerate Alberta’s recovery and ensure we lead the country in economic growth and job creation in the months and years ahead,” says Yedlin. “While this is an ambitious agenda, we need our governments to step up, work together, and support businesses and economic diversification at this critical inflection point in our economic recovery.”

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 Arianne Brady, Communications Manager, at media@calgarychamber.com or at 403-750-0414.