On September 17, the Calgary Chamber hosted Mr. Naheed Nenshi for his first keynote address as leader of the Alberta NDP, and a fireside chat with Calgary Chamber President & CEO Deborah Yedlin discussing Mr. Nenshi’s vision for Alberta’s future the role of government in supporting the business community.
Mr. Nenshi began his remarks highlighting the current challenges impacting Albertans and Alberta’s business community and the need for greater support – in affordability, infrastructure and health care. Mr. Nenshi also discussed some of the barriers that businesses are facing now and what he expects governments to action in support of our business community.
Mr. Nenshi impressed upon the value of the business community and provided his broad vision for the future of our province, based on optimism and belief in the resources – both natural and human – that exist in Alberta.
Mr. Nenshi also spoke about his vision for an NDP that understands and supports the concerns of Albertans regarding affordability, jobs, economy and trade. Mr. Nenshi discussed the need to provide support – especially for small businesses – and the value of a “predictable, dependable and rational government” to support a stable and prosperous investment environment. Lastly, Mr. Nenshi discussed the need for infrastructure support, especially public transit infrastructure, and its role in supporting the business community more broadly.
The fireside chat with Calgary Chamber President & CEO Deborah Yedlin covered the Alberta NDP’s vision for Alberta’s future and some of the top-line concerns currently facing businesses, including:
- Affordability and the role of provincial governments in addressing these concerns – from inflation and rising input costs to housing and the need for increased non-market housing units.
- The new fiscal framework under development by the Alberta NDP, with a focus on strong social services supported by a thriving economic backbone.
- The value of infrastructure projects, from water to train lines, and the need for a stable investment environment.
- The need to lean into Alberta’s traditional strengths – energy and natural resources – from conventional to unconventional and renewable energy.
- Concerns with the federal government’s layering of regulatory policy, such as Bill C-59, the Emissions Cap and the Clean Electricity Regulations and what the provincial government should focus on to help businesses in managing a difficult policy environment.
To close, Mr. Nenshi promised the business community that he will continue to engage in the following years leading into an election and promote governments to work collaboratively to address the complex issues facing businesses across the province.
