Chambers of commerce set election priorities
Alberta's two largest Chambers of Commerce have joined as one voice to release a unified platform ahead of the September federal election.
The new platform, released by the Calgary and Edmonton chambers on Wednesday, calls on the federal parties to concentrate on economic recovery and diversification, develop talents, skills and jobs, address impacts and opportunities of climate change, create a competitive finance and taxation system and to expand trade and market access and improve supply chains.
The platform is similar to the one they released together ahead of the 2019 election, but there is more urgency and some new topics in the updated platform focusing on business-forward policies with a focus on economic recovery.
“We think there's strength in numbers and when you got two large and successful chambers speaking as one voice with a consistent message, people listen,” said Jeffrey Sundquist, president and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce in an interview with Postmedia.
Deborah Yedlin, president of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, said it makes sense for the two chambers to join forces because there are similar issues in Edmonton and Calgary.
“We're looking at economic recovery, we're looking at sustained economic recovery, we're both equally concerned about the talent skills issues the province is facing and I think the other thing is that one voice from two chambers means we have a stronger voice at the table when decisions are being made in Ottawa,” said Yedlin.
Sundquist said with the five outlined focus areas in mind, he knows leaders will be required to navigate significant challenges, using what has been learned during these tough times to propel Canada and its business community toward positive change.
“We need federal parties to adopt policies that fortify our position as dynamic and innovative leaders on the world stage.
“Otherwise, we risk watching from the sidelines as other nations outpace our economic growth,” said Sundquist.
He said the increase in urgency is in part due to the amount of spending the federal government has undertaken to support businesses and individuals during the COVID -19 pandemic.
One area of concern that is more present in the 2021 platform is the affordability of childcare.
“People should not be choosing between being able to work and having to pay for childcare,” said Yedlin.
“We also know that women still bear disproportionally the load in households and that means that they're the ones not returning to work and from an economic standpoint, that doesn't make sense because if we can increase the number of women in the workforce it does a lot for our economic potential and prosperities.”
Sundquist said the province also needs to identify and address the current skill gap and work with post-secondary institutions to build those relevant skills training programs for students.