Last week, the Red Deer District Chamber’s CEO and COO joined colleagues from Chambers across the province for the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Political Action Day, an opportunity to bring the voice of business into important conversations about Alberta’s economic future.
 
These gatherings matter. Chambers are uniquely positioned to connect government, industry, and local businesses, ensuring policy decisions reflect the realities businesses face every day.
 
It was a full day of honest conversations about the economic realities facing Alberta and Canada. A few key themes stood out throughout the day:
 
Strengthening Trade and Supply Chains
In an increasingly uncertain global economy, businesses are looking to bring supply chains closer to home. Panels highlighted the strategic importance of Western Canada’s resource and agricultural strengths - from Saskatchewan’s role as a global supplier of potash, uranium, and critical minerals, to Alberta’s position as a key energy and food producer.
 
Chambers can play an important role in helping businesses navigate evolving trade conditions and advocating for policies that reduce cost pressures and workforce constraints.
 
Productivity and Competitiveness
Economists emphasized that improving productivity continues to be one of Canada’s biggest economic challenges in the coming decades. Greater technology adoption, stronger business investment, and a productivity lens on public policy will be essential if Canada hopes to regain the economic momentum it had a decade ago.
 
Investment, Certainty, and Economic Stability
Speakers highlighted how political uncertainty, including conversations around separatism or referenda, can create real economic costs by freezing investment and slowing major projects. Stability and predictability remain critical to attracting capital and supporting long-term economic growth.
 
Alberta’s Changing Economy
Alberta continues to experience strong population growth, but job creation has not always kept pace. Addressing labour shortages, improving skills alignment, and supporting productive diversification will be essential to retaining Alberta’s economic advantage. At the same time, sectors like tourism, agriculture, energy, and critical minerals continue to position Canada as a global resource and food production leader.
 
One message resonated throughout the day: “The world needs what Alberta has - we just have to get it to them.”
 
The Red Deer District Chamber was proud to contribute to these conversations alongside our colleagues from across Alberta, bringing the perspective of businesses in Red Deer and the district, and the vital role our region plays in the provincial economy.
 
Advocacy is a core part of the Chamber’s work. We will continue ensuring the priorities of businesses in Red Deer and the surrounding region are heard in the conversations shaping Alberta’s future.