Municipal Affairs

Calgary has the potential to be a renaissance capital and model society of the 21st century.

The city has all the right ingredients: economic prosperity, a clean environment, freedom of expression, democracy, the rule of law, and most importantly an entrepreneurial spirit led by the creativity, innovation, competitiveness, and cultural vibrancy of Calgarians.

What's required going forward is a focus on excellence - in every area of our lives. We must question the way we live, the way we do business, and the way our city is managed. We must acknowledge our challenges and propose and implement new solutions and approaches.

On October 12, 2007, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce unveiled its initial blueprint of practical actions that the newly elected City Council can undertake - actions that address members' leading concerns about a deteriorating quality of life, our business climate, and spending priorities and fiscal management.

News Release
Renaissance Calgary: Blueprint for a 21st Century World-Leading Capital

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with the new municipal government and strongly encourages Calgarians - business owners and operators in particular - to participate in the process of building a Renaissance city, Calgary-style.

Stay tuned for more new renaissance ideas.

What's New < More >

Article: January 28, 2010
Municipal Auditor General bill fails but key tenets remain

Article: January 28, 2010
City Council agrees to campaign finance reform

Op-ed: January 28, 2010
Fair taxation a mere illusion

Article: December 3, 2009
Chamber efforts help City Council take a step in the right direction in 2010 budget deliberations

News Release: November 19, 2009
Calgary's business community seeks equitable treatment in municipal budget

Publication: November 19, 2009
2010 Municipal Budget Submission

News Release: November 13, 2009
Calgary's business community applauds parking rate reduction

News Release: November 12, 2009
2010 Municipal Budget deliberations are an opportunity to continue to 'adjust' to a
new economic reality

Article: November 12, 2009
Chamber makes case for a provincial Office of Municipal Auditor General

Presentation: October 27, 2009
Presentation to the Standing Committee on Community Services Re: provincial Office of Municipal Auditor General

Op-ed: August 27, 2009
Crossing street for democracy

Op-ed: August 14, 2009
No quotas on Hansom cabs

News Release: July 30, 2009
Independent Office of Municipal Auditor General would help local governments deliver higher value to citizens

Letter: July 17, 2009 (Re: Office of Municipal Auditor General at the provincial level)
Letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Services

Op-ed: July 2, 2009
The public purse isn't bottomless

Op-ed: June 18, 2009
We're on right Plan It

News Release: June 19, 2009
Plan It Calgary's key directions sound but challenges remain

News Release: June 18, 2009
Reduction of short-term parking rates represents "municipal stimulus" for downtown businesses
Letter to City Council members

New Initiative: June 15, 2009
Coalition for Property Tax Fairness
A new coalition of organizations representing Calgary taxpayers have joined forces to grade the Mayor and Aldermen on how well each have done in defending the interests of taxpayers. The Coalition for Property Tax Fairness has released its first Calgary Municipal Report Card based on four criteria: Taxpayer-friendly voting record, office budget management, initiative in policy making, as well as proactive stakeholder engagement and responsiveness. View website
News Release
Municipal Report Card
Backgrounder

Op-ed: June 4, 2009
Chamber led fight for reform

Article: June 2, 2009
Chamber wins campaign to reform civic election donation rules

Article: May 19, 2009
Chamber urges close monitoring of housing affordability in Plan It Calgary initiative

Speech: May 7, 2009
Plan It Calgary - Gaining Ground Summit

Article: April 28, 2009
City aims to be "On Target" with building and development approvals

Results

January 28, 2010
Municipal Auditor General bill fails but key tenets remain

January 28, 2010
City Council agrees to campaign finance reform

December 3, 2009
Chamber efforts help City Council take a step in the right direction in 2010 budget deliberations

November 13, 2009
Calgary's business community applauds parking rate reduction

June 2, 2009
Chamber wins campaign to reform civic election donation rules

April 28, 2009
City aims to be "On Target" with building and development approvals

February 17, 2009
BizPaL makes obtaining a business permit or licence more user friendly

November 28, 2008
Chamber supports review of city budgeting process

November 25, 2008
Chamber actions help reduce municipal taxes

November 25, 2008
Chamber named as key advisor on Plan It Calgary initiative

October 7, 2008
High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes could help alleviate traffic woes

May 14, 2008
Chamber keeps business taxes competitive

March 11, 2008
Chamber supports small business at City Hall - Argues on behalf of small curbside recyclers