Calgary Chamber welcomes new federal cabinet, urges bold action on economic recovery

Calgary, October 26, 2021 – As the voice of Calgary business, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce welcomes and congratulates the 38 ministers appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the federal cabinet today.

In early August, the Calgary and Edmonton Chambers united to deliver a federal election platform From Challenge to Change, calling on the federal government to:

• Concentrate on economic recovery and diversification;
• Develop talent, skills, and jobs;
• Address the impacts and opportunities of climate change;
• Create a competitive finance and taxation system; and
• Expand trade and market access and improve supply chains.

“With the new federal cabinet now in place, the government must get to work on economic recovery and focus on providing support to individuals and businesses,” says Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “With a work force poised to get back to work, borders reopening safely, and tremendous innovation happening across our economy, bold policy initiatives and action by government are imperative to ensure a successful economic recovery. We must foster economic growth and a competitive business environment while promoting the health and well-being of citizens.”

To achieve this recovery, we look forward to working immediately with particular ministers and the entire federal government on:

• Supporting recovery through inclusive economic growth, including commitments for small business microgrants, venture capital support and a recovery fund for tourism, non-profits, and arts and culture by working with the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance; the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development; and the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness;
  
  
• Ensuring universal, accessible, flexible, and affordable childcare to allow for greater economic opportunity and equity for working parents and women by working with the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth; and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion;
  
  
• Diversifying the economy through innovation, including investment in the arts, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, and developing and scaling up clean technology and emissions reduction in Alberta by working with the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; and the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency;
  
  
• Ensuring policy to address climate change allows Alberta and Canada to capitalize on opportunities to be global leaders in the development of technologies and processes that address the challenges faced by the production and use of energy, as we seek to mitigate the impact of climate change across all sectors, by working with the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources;
  
  
• Working collaboratively to remove interprovincial trade barriers through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and accelerate progress of the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table (RCT) by working with the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities;
  
  
• Focus on our long-term fiscal sustainability by establishing key fiscal anchors to ensure strong balance sheets and avoid creating untenable future tax burdens by working with the Honourable the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance; the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board; and the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue.

“Calgary’s business community and the Calgary Chamber stand ready to work with the federal government at every turn,” said Yedlin. “Moving toward the change we need requires collaboration between business, government and our academic institutions – the success of our businesses, the well-being of our families and our strength as a country depend on it.”

About the Calgary Chamber

The Calgary Chamber is an independent non-profit, non-partisan business organization. For 130 years, the Chamber has worked to build a business community that nourishes, powers, and inspires the world.

For media inquiries, please contact Arianne Brady, Communications Manager, at media@calgarychamber.com or at 403-750-0414.