Since 2019, at the request of Chamber members, the Chamber has been actively engaged in researching opportunities for a designated industrial zone. Recognizing both the potential economic benefits and the regulatory barriers involved, this work aligned with a clear provincial priority to attract and retain large-scale industrial investment across Alberta.

In response, the Chamber of Commerce adopted a formal policy in 2020 focused on Investment Attraction for Industrial Zones. This policy received support through the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and was reaffirmed once again in 2023, reflecting its ongoing relevance and the continued need for clarity and coordination in this space.

Policy Leadership and Recommendations

The Chamber’s policy outlined several key recommendations to the Government of Alberta, aimed at strengthening the province’s ability to attract major industrial investment while maintaining high safety and environmental standards. These recommendations included:

1. Working with municipalities to clarify the process for obtaining an industrial zone designation, in support of expanding the number of designated industrial zones across Alberta.
2. Assisting and facilitating qualifying municipalities in better understanding the requirements associated with streamlining regulatory approvals.
3. Creating a “concierge service” for large industrial projects to help remove barriers and guide proponents through permitting and regulatory processes, while maintaining strong expectations for safety and environmental performance.
4. Considering contractual agreement approaches that provide longer-term certainty around regulatory compliance costs, including but not limited to carbon pricing.
5. Providing investment attraction support programs that are open-ended, predictable, and transparent, with fair and equitable access for any company that meets established eligibility criteria, while allowing flexibility to address the unique circumstances of each investment.

Collaboration Leads to Clarity

Over the years, the Chamber remained in regular contact with the Government of Alberta to track progress and provide feedback. This sustained engagement has helped lead to greater clarity and more clearly defined criteria for establishing a Designated Industrial Zone.

In particular, the province has now clearly articulated the framework for the Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone, along with comprehensive resources to support municipalities interested in pursuing designation. Additional materials outlining the criteria for provincial designation of industrial zones have been made publicly available through Alberta’s Open Government portal. 

Recognizing the need for practical, user-friendly tools, the provincial Designated Industrial Zone team also developed a simplified checklist version of the documentation to support municipalities as they navigate the designation process.

Resources are available online: Criteria for a Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ) (alberta.ca) 

A Positive Outcome for Communities

The local Chamber is pleased with the collaboration and ongoing communication with the Government of Alberta, and with the updates that have resulted in clearer, more accessible resources for municipalities. The published criteria and checklist for municipalities pursuing designation are now available online, providing greater transparency and predictability for communities seeking to attract industrial investment.

This progress demonstrates the value of persistent advocacy and collaboration between the business community, municipalities, and the province. The Chamber will continue to work alongside partners to support investment attraction initiatives that strengthen our regional economy and position Alberta for long-term growth.