Calgary Chamber encourages economic-focused Federal Budget 2025

Calgary, AB, July 31, 2024 – Today, the Calgary Chamber released its recommendations to the Standing Committee on Finance as the Committee begins its preparations for the upcoming federal budget. Budgets are one of the ways that governments outline their core priorities for the future and earmark the investments needed to achieve those priorities.

“At the core of Canadians’ well-being is a thriving, inclusive and vibrant economy, which is fueled by a growing and productive business community,” says Ruhee Ismail-Teja, Vice President of Policy and External Affairs at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “While economic conditions appear to be stabilizing – business optimism is high and momentum on interest rates is positive – businesses still face challenges, and Budget 2025 is a critical opportunity for the federal government to signal to the business community across Canada that it is invested in their success.”

Informed by engagement with our membership – across sectors and sizes and representing 400,000 workers across the country – this submission contains dozens of recommendations within the following themes:

• Affordability: Enhancing affordability to support small- and medium-sized businesses.
• Talent and Labour: Bolstering measures to address the labour shortage including setting newcomers up for success, supporting post-secondary institutions through research grants, and supporting credentialling and upskilling.
• Economic Reconciliation: Advancing additional opportunities for Indigenous communities to fully participate in and benefit from economic prosperity.
• Technology and Innovation: Expanding Canada’s ability to capitalize on existing research and development opportunities, including through rural connectivity, intellectual property, and supports for small business.
• Decarbonization: Streamlining funding for clean technologies, aligning national and provincial GHG offset systems, amending clean electricity regulations, and withdrawing the proposed emissions cap.
• Strategic Infrastructure and Supply Chains: Supporting community vibrancy in downtown Calgary by collaborating will all orders of government to unlock funding that advances infrastructure projects, helping attract people, business and investment.

“The recommendations shared in the Calgary Chamber’s submission are a call to the federal government to anchor Budget 2025 in priorities and investments that support workers, promote competitiveness, strengthen Canada’s economy and provide the policy stability and certainty needed to attract investment,” says Ismail-Teja.

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About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce exists to help businesses reach their potential. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.

Media opportunities

For media inquiries, please contact Brittany Brander, Manager, Public Relations & Communications, at media@calgarychamber.com.