With the 2019 federal election date looming, the Alberta Chamber of Commerce released a platform that draws upon the concerns of their members.
The Vote Prosperity Plan gives recommendations political parties in Alberta could adopt in order to assist with the province’s economic growth.
“The Vote Prosperity Plan... draws upon the Alberta Chamber of Commerce’s grassroots-driven policy book, and feedback received from all chamber members and chambers across the province,” explained Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce executive director, Serina Parsons. “It’s designed to provide voters with an outline of priorities, and also provide political parties with what we see as a chamber network that’s really important to our future economy.”
While chambers are nonpartisan, meaning they have no affiliation with one particular party, they do advocate on all levels of government for change that could be in the best interest of business and the economy.
“We really steer public policy conversations throughout the province, and we have focus programs and services which enable companies to grow at home and in export markets,” detailed Parsons.
The plan is based on four pillars: strengthen business competitiveness, growing provincial trade, building healthy communities, and improving government accountability.
Ken Kobly, president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce explained, “We would like to see election platforms from all the political parties so the business community can actually make a reasonable decision on which party they support heading into the next election.”
Parsons added, “Each change the government makes that adds a new layer of cost to business results in fewer jobs, less opportunity, and it affects our long-term prosperity goals and plans. Those small businesses out there really need to be set up for success, and it doesn’t seem as though that’s what’s been happening.”
The platform includes 17 recommendations to help with Alberta’s economic future, such as reducing the cost burden of regulation and legislative changes for businesses and ensuring policy aimed at reducing green house gas emissions minimizes risk to the economy and business competitiveness.
“We took a look at what was the most critical policy issues going forward into the next four years, and these were some of the (important) ones that we drew out,” Kobly noted.
Their goal is to impact the Alberta economic climate in a positive way.
“The Alberta Chamber of Commerce, as well as the municipal chamber of commerce, realize that the 2019 election is really coming at a critical time in Alberta. The Alberta economy has been in turmoil since 2014/15, and we believe that it’s time that Alberta gets back to being the leader that it was,” stressed Parsons.
Parsons encouraged everyone to research the political parties before casting their vote in the next federal election.
“I want more people to go to the polls, but I want more people to take the time to do their research, to educate themselves, and then cast their votes. There’s never been a time that’s more critical than now to do that.”
