The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce is celebrating after three of its motions received unanimous support at a provincial event. (File photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Chamber resolutions pass unanimously at provincial event

Jun 5, 2023 | 12:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A trio of policy motions from the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce aimed at supporting businesses received full support across the province.

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce hosted its 117 local associations in Fort McMurray for its Annual General Meeting and Policy Plenary Session on May 25-27, 2023.

Lethbridge Chamber CEO Cyndi Bester said, “All three of our policies passed unanimously, so that was encouraging support. It shows that the topics our members are addressing are really significant throughout the province.”

A new policy coming from the Lethbridge Chamber is Addressing Rising Electricity Costs for [Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises] and Citizens.

It would see the chambers advocate to the Government of Alberta to pay the remainder of the outstanding balance from the January-March utility payment deferral and explore ways to address rising energy costs in the long term.

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“We know there are some businesses that are finding it challenging with repaying the [Canada Emergency Business Account] loan and those kinds of things. Electricity costs is something that maybe we can help with, so we thought we should bring it forward.” said Bester.

The other two policies were renewals of existing Lethbridge Chamber motions.

One is titled, “Creating an Effective Workplace for the Changing Economy.”

Bester explains that the provincial government should continue to fund post-secondary education and implement programs to make it easier and more affordable for businesses to invest in their current employees.

“It’s looking at investing in continuing education opportunities, whether that is like full-out degrees or diplomas, or even some micro-credentialing,” said Bester.

The final approved policy from the local chamber has to do with Investing in Market Access for Southern Alberta Business.

Bester said this policy renewal would involve asking the Government of Alberta to continue to invest in road, air, and rail infrastructure to ensure that products can reach national and international markets.

“In the last couple of years with supply chain challenges, or even with the highways and the challenges B.C. experienced, we saw a lot of traffic on Highway 3,” said Bester. “In order for us to have business rolling in our region, we really need to take a look at our highway system, our railway system, and what will best help all of that infrastructure.”

Now that the resolutions have passed, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce will advocate for them to the provincial government.

According to Bester, the policy motions were developed following the release of the 2022 Brighter Together Survey, conducted in partnership with Economic Development Lethbridge.

Approximately 69 per cent of business owners in Lethbridge were somewhat or very optimistic about their outlook over the next six-to-12 months, while 15 per cent were pessimistic.

The three biggest challenges to doing business in the city were the availability of qualified workers, municipal taxes, and the cost of utilities.

READ MORE: Lethbridge business owners optimistic heading into 2023: survey

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