The federal election campaign is in full swing, as parliamentary candidates go door-to-door to promote their party’s platforms and ask Calgarians for their vote. Read More
Local business leaders cite energy policy changes, investment in housing and transit, as key for next federal government to support Calgary
Local business leaders cite energy policy changes, investment in housing and transit, as key for next federal government to support Calgary
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The federal election campaign is in full swing, as parliamentary candidates go door-to-door to promote their party’s platforms and ask Calgarians for their vote.
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While they’re hesitant to endorse a particular party, leaders from Calgary’s civic agencies and business groups are using the campaign as an opportunity to promote their own priorities and wish list to future federal policymakers.
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“I, for one, will be actively asking each party leader to make sure that they are investing in infrastructure,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “We are the economic engine of this nation. We have long been neglected, and I would really like to see a federal government that shows respect to municipalities, because we have earned it.”
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Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, said her organization’s main concerns this election center around energy policy. Specifically, she said the chamber is calling for the removal of the federal emissions cap and Bill C-69, the Impact Assessment Act.
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“There’s a lot of policies from an Alberta perspective we want to see walked back,” Yedlin said.
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The chamber is instead advocating for “something more responsive to the regulatory environment to support the development of projects in a timely manner,” she added.
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“Energy is very important, still,” Yedlin said. “So let’s find clarity on policies that affect the energy industry and can affect investment going forward.”
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Since the campaign started, Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberal Party leader, has reversed his statements on the federal emissions cap. Most recently, he suggested the cap would stay in place if his party remains in government.
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Carney also said this week that Bill C-69 would not be repealed if the Liberals maintain power. The act requires assessments to be completed for environmental, health, social and economic impacts, in addition to the backing of Indigenous groups, before a major energy infrastructure project can proceed.
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Critics have called Bill C-69 the “no more pipelines” act, claiming it will harm the oil and gas sector by making it impossible to approve new large-scale pipeline projects. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, has opposed the emissions cap, which he called a “job-killer,” as well as Bill C-69, which he claims his party would repeal if he becomes Prime Minister.
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Calgary’s business community wants to see “durability of policy,” according to Yedlin.