Calgary Chamber ‘Business Matters’ municipal platform shares recommendations to improve competitiveness
Calgary, AB, September 25, 2025 – Calgary businesses are facing growing challenges in today’s economic landscape. From persistent supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures to escalating trade tensions with the United States, local enterprises – particularly small and medium-sized businesses – are operating in an environment of growing uncertainty.
A majority of Calgary businesses feel that current municipal support for small business falls short, with 55 per cent indicating it is insufficient and only 14 per cent expressing satisfaction with existing measures.
Further, concerns about Calgary’s business climate are growing. According to recent data, 38 per cent of local businesses believe the city is on the wrong track as a place to start a business – a signal that renewed focus on competitiveness is urgently needed.
“Calgary businesses continue to adapt, but resilience alone won’t secure our city’s future,” says Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “To build a competitive, future-focused economy, Calgary needs a municipal environment that removes barriers and fosters a business-friendly culture. A vibrant, competitive business climate drives innovation, creates jobs and generates the fiscal capacity to reinvest in services that improve the quality of life for all Calgarians.”
Rising costs also remain a major concern for Calgary businesses, with 66 per cent identifying cost-related pressures as their primary challenge and 77 per cent of small businesses stating that these costs are directly limiting their growth potential. Without a focused effort to strengthen Calgary’s competitiveness, these pressures risk slowing innovation, expansion and long-term economic growth.
Streamlining regulations, ensuring tax fairness, promoting fiscal responsibility, adopting business-friendly construction policies and securing access to talent and investment are all essential to strengthening our business community.
“The opportunity is clear,” adds Yedlin. “To strengthen Calgary’s competitiveness, the City must embrace a business-matters mindset. Creating the conditions for business success today will determine Calgary’s economic resilience and vibrancy for years to come.”
Chamber Recommendations
To ensure a competitive, business-friendly environment, the Chamber recommends the Mayor and City Council:
- Simplify, clarify and accelerate the process to obtain municipal licenses and permits, adhering to consistent response timelines to allow businesses to plan for various approvals.
- Create user-friendly and customized tools to support seamless engagement with local businesses.
- Close Calgary’s $436 million municipal fiscal gap for capital and operating needs, ensuring critical priorities are fully funded.
- Rebalance residential and non-residential property tax rates, until the City achieves a 60-40 split.
- Implement a business-friendly construction policy that ensures impacted businesses are an integral part of the consultation and engagement process.
- Provide direct financial support for businesses impacted by construction, assessing the impacts of construction to businesses and providing commensurate financial compensation.
- Develop a comprehensive talent attraction strategy, working with provincial and federal partners to align immigration targets.
About Business Matters: A vision for a thriving, inclusive and ambitious Calgary
As Calgary continues to grow, our municipal government must plan boldly for the future, making strategic investments today to stay competitive and support generations to come. Comprised of 50 recommendations across four categories – building a competitive, safe, vibrant and connected economy – and informed by our members, we share ideas and outline the case for why business matters to the prosperity of our city.
– 30 –
About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
The Calgary Chamber exists to empower our business community to advance a prosperous Calgary and Canada. 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 founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.
Media opportunities
For media inquiries, please contact: media@calgary-chamber.papercrane.ca
