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Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce CEO Cyndi Vos. Photo from 2019. (Lethbridge News Now)

Alberta Chambers of Commerce supports six Lethbridge policies

May 31, 2021 | 11:44 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The provincial chambers of commerce have wrapped up their annual policy convention and AGM with several policies from the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce being adopted.

“Although COVID-19 remains a focal point of many business conversations, we can not lose focus on the policy issues that have existed and will continue to exist in our province,” says Cyndi Vos, CEO, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. “We were pleased to get support for the renewal of three policies, approval of two new policy positions, as well as an emerging issue resolution.”

The six local motions that were approved are:

  • Strengthening Alberta’s Electricity Transmission Intertie Infrastructure (new policy)
    • Calls on the Alberta Government to promote private investment in improving existing interties, which allows electricity to flow between B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana. It would also allow new inter-jurisdictional interties to improve access to power produced by renewable sources
  • The Business Cost of Cybercrime (new policy)
    • Calls on the Alberta government to provide training, education, and awareness of cybersecurity for businesses
  • A Pathway to Fixing the Affordable Housing Crisis in Alberta (new policy)
    • Calls on the Alberta Government to invest in affordable housing developments as well as a “yes in my backyard” strategy to change public attitudes about affordable housing
  • A Systems Approach for Provincial Transportation (renewed policy)
    • Calls on the Alberta Government to work with all levels of government to ensure transportation needs are met in order to keep goods and services moving
  • Small Scale Renewable Energy (renewed policy)
    • Calls on the Alberta Government to facilitate and develop market access for Alberta’s small-scale renewable resources
  • Environment and Parks Water for Sustainability (renewed policy)
    • Calls on the Government of Canada to discuss water-related issues with provinces and territories

Vos commented on the affordable housing issue, saying it is of critical importance to areas like Lethbridge.

“The need for affordable housing for our citizens in the homelessness market, non-market housing, and early workforce housing has been identified as essential for community sustainability and stability. In working with community and provincial stakeholders, we have been able to state that conversation time is over and there must be an action plan. We congratulate the City of Lethbridge with the formation of the Social Service Integration Group and challenge other cities and the province to follow the lead.”

In total, chambers from across Alberta introduced numerous policy ideas, 23 of which were adopted.

The goal of this initiative is to gain different voices, perspectives, and ideas from not only the staff at each chamber but also from business owners who are members.

In addition to the Lethbridge Chamber’s six own policies, they co-sponsored one from the Leduc Chamber of Commerce titled, “Employee Share Ownership Plans: Harnessing Alberta’s Entrepreneurial Spirit.”

That would call on the Alberta Government to offer employees tax incentives to invest in their places of work.

The Alberta Chamber of Commerce also has a new Chair-Elect, Bruce Galts of Lethbridge.

Galts is the president of Galko Homes, Galko Renos, and Paul David Lethbridge. He has had several roles with the chambers of commerce.

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