The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce continues to play a prominent role in the shaping of Alberta Chambers of Commerce policy.
The local business association sponsored 10 of the 31 policies adopted at the Alberta Chambers’ conference and policy session May 30 to June 1 in Drumheller.
A total of 39 policy resolutions were submitted, but none of the eight that were rejected originated with the Red Deer Chamber.
“Once again, Red Deer has stepped up as a leader in business representation, not only because we are so focused on connecting our members’ concerns with government, but because we work hard to partner with other chambers to ensure that we have the strongest, collective voice possible,” said Red Deer Chamber first vice-president Tyler Bowman in a release.
Four of the policy resolutions were new ones formulated by Red Deer Chamber committees. They dealt with rural family medicine, leaking seismic holes, the federal scientific research and experimental development tax credit and Canada’s temporary foreign workers program.
The six other resolutions were renewals of policy positions previously adopted by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
They call for energy innovation, training support for small business with respect to interprovincial trade agreements, maintenance of health care services, modifications to registered savings plan programs to encourage saving, reforms to Canada’s agriculture policy and other changes to support the pork industry, and action to combat the United States’ country of origin labelling (COOL) legislation.
In the case of its new policy resolution related to rural family medicine, the Red Deer Chamber recommends strategies to develop and preserve health services in rural communities.
It also calls on the provincial government to develop an industry-funded solution to the problem of seismic hole leaks that can leave affected landowners with no practical recourse.
The Red Deer Chamber’s policy resolution related to the scientific research and experimental development tax credit urges the Canadian government to maintain the credit amount and to consult industry before it makes any changes to the program.
In its final new policy recommendation, the Chamber asks the federal government to reverse some of the changes to the temporary foreign workers program that it announced recently, and to implement others that would enhance the program’s effectiveness.
The Red Deer Chamber also co-sponsored two resolutions that were prepared by other chambers in the province.
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce lobbies the provincial and federal government to implement the policies it adopts.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com