Open letter: Calgary Chamber calls for Canada Innovation Corporation to be headquartered in Calgary

February 17, 2023

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Dear Minister Champagne,

On behalf of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the voice of Calgary’s business community, I am writing to invite your government to establish the Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC) in Calgary.

With over 3,000 technology companies calling Alberta home, our tech industry is drawing global attention. Regionally, Calgary is leading the charge. It is forecast that Calgary companies will spend over $20 billion on digital transformation throughout Alberta by 2024, finding new and creative ways to optimize economic productivity, and find solutions to the world’s most pressing problems – including climate change and food and energy security. Groups such as the Alberta Enterprise Corporation, Platform Calgary, Alberta Innovates, Innovate Calgary and initiatives like the Fintech Sandbox, coupled with our history of unapologetic entrepreneurship, have set the stage for success.

Calgary is ideally suited to host the head office given our track record in entrepreneurship and strong foundation for innovative companies to thrive. We are the only city in Canada with an Energy Transition Centre, leading our country’s sustainable path forward. The Pathways Alliance is one of many examples of a unique, global partnership promoting industry collaboration. Additionally, the University of Calgary alone generates more start-ups than any other university in the country.

We are pleased to see the federal government’s announcement to de-risk new technology developments with the establishment of CIC and would welcome a decision to establish its headquarters in Calgary.

Sincerely,

Deborah Yedlin

President & CEO
Calgary Chamber of Commerce

ABOUT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Calgary Chamber exists to help businesses thrive. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification, and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization, we build on our 131-year history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, and across the city.