Local Chamber Influences National Priorities with the adoption of three policies

We were pleased to attend the Canadian Chamber AGM and annual convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia with our Alberta Chamber delegation. Alberta carried 33% of the national Chamber voting delegation with 103 Chambers represented in person or by proxy. In addition to the Chamber's Executive Director receiving her Level 3 accreditation certification renewal, the delegates participated in sessions on:

• the Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum to discuss how to elevate and leverage the power of the national network
• Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Business
• Bold Strategies for Canada’s Economic Future
• Addressing the Productivity Conundrum
• The U.S. Election and the Bilateral Relationship
• Economic Outlook for Small Business

Delegates also actively engaged in the policy resolution debate, where 46 policies were brought to the floor for debate and consideration. All three of the Southeast Alberta Chamber policies were adopted including:

• Improving the Regulatory Environment for Natural Health Products
• Supporting Farms of the Future
• Commercial Border Crossing Access

While Chambers are only able to bring two resolutions each year to be considered a national priority, the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce was pleased to work with the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce to ensure we had a policy to improve access to designated commercial offices in our western provinces. 

Of the 46 policies debated, 40 were adopted by the delegates for the Canadian Chamber to include in their policy priorities and advocacy initiatives. 

Why this matters: by having delegates gather to discuss, debate and adopt policy priorities that matter to their local business community, but are of national significance, it helps to further our efforts by local Chambers from Coast to Coast to Coast to improve the business and regulatory environment in our regions and communities and make a more sustainable and thriving future. By leveraging our national Chamber network to support federal priorities of regional importance to our local communities, we can influence the Government in their future policy decisions and direction. 

It is truly inspiring to see, feel and be part of the 'power of the network' and the value we bring to Canadian business, locally, provincially and federally.