Calgary Chamber of Commerce offers recommendations for improved productivity

With Calgary having been identified by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce as one of the three cities in Canada to be hit hardest by US tariffs, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce has released a plan it says addresses road blocks to Canada’s economic growth. 

Entitled Inflection Point: A plan for a competitive, productive, prosperous Canada, Deborah Yedlin, CEO of the Calgary Chamber, says the plan contains 82 evidence-based public policy recommendations. 

“Canada is at an inflection point. For years, our productivity has declined, and we have watched capital flow to other jurisdictions, rather than be invested in Canada,” says Yedlin.

“From regulatory burdens and uncertainty associated with project approvals, to a lower dollar that has constrained investment in new technologies and equipment, Canadian businesses and workers have watched our competitiveness erode.”  

“The recent, and still impending, threat of tariffs from the United States has rightfully magnified and focused our attention on this long-standing issue. Now, more than ever, Canadians are looking to governments and businesses to seize this moment and take action to protect Canadian jobs and workers, grow the Canadian economy and build a strong future for Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.” 

Through round table discussions with its members and supported by national opinion polls, Yedlin says the Calgary Chamber has formulated recommendations across five themes to deal with the tariffs 

“The themes are competitiveness, trade, entrepreneurship, talent and labour, and community well-being, to galvanize the next federal government to prioritize our economy and address the impediments to prosperity and success for Canadians and businesses,” says Yedlin. 

The expanded recommendations are: 

Competitiveness: Reduce red tape and regulatory impediments that stall investment and impede business growth. 

Trade: Address interprovincial trade barriers to bolster affordability for Canadians and support business opportunity within Canada. 

Entrepreneurship: Support access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses, improving tax measures and removing barriers to funding streams. 

Talent and Labour: Develop plans to support immigration long term, ensuring we have the labour force needed for a growing economy. 

Community Well-Being: Spur further investments in housing by reducing regulatory barriers, enhancing the labour force, and addressing supply chain issues. 

“Canada has the foundations for success: an enterprising population, abundant natural resources, a world-class reputation, a strong democratic system and rule of law, and a good quality of life," says Yedlin."To protect this foundation and unleash our potential, we need to improve our productivity, and do it quickly.”

“Businesses of all sizes and from all sectors will need to be at the heart of this work. The plan we’ve unveiled is about supporting those businesses to grow, innovate and be competitive.” 

“The top five concerns for Canadian businesses include cost of living, economic growth, taxes, housing and climate change.” 

Supporting facts and figures from the Calgary Chamber: 

• 79% of Canadians believe a strong economy makes for a strong society, but only 39% believe we are on the right track to achieve economic prosperity. 

• 78% of Canadians are concerned by the productivity crisis. 

• 69% of Canadians believe it is important to have a business-friendly government. 

• 63% of Canadians believe that businesses should drive Canada’s economic agenda. 

• 81% of Canadians agree that small businesses are important to our economy. Additionally, small businesses are among the most trusted institutions in Canada, with 62% of Canadians indicating trust. 

• 72% of Canadians believe Canada should be less reliant on the United States and 75% think it should be easier to trade within Canada than outside of it.