Speak up for Alberta and our Economy!

With the provincial election on the horizon, I want to write specifically to other Calgary business owners and their workers with the hope of making some critical points in the 500 words available. Not only are we losing the Canada we used to know, but we are also at risk of losing Alberta and the spirit of a prosperous and vibrant province that we have built and re- built over the years. While 2022 wasn’t the greatest worldwide in the aftermath of COVID, Alberta remained one of the most successful economies regardless of the many challenges we faced.

Canada’s Economy and its Future Prosperity are in Jeopardy

No thanks to the federal Impact Assessment Act or Bill C-69 – even with a global energy crisis and the world pleading for Canada’s responsibly and sustainably produced natural resources, Canada, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is on track to have the worst performing economy of the G20 over the next 10 years. Our organizations – the Alberta Enterprise Group and ICBA Alberta – are in the Supreme Court of Canada, supporting the Government of Alberta and almost all other provinces and territories in their fight against the federal government’s Impact Assessment Act.

AEG Podcast, Ep 14: The Global Institute for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Innovations in Western Canada

Catherine Brownlee interviews Steve Webb from the Global Institute for Food Security in this podcast. They discuss the institute’s objective to promote innovative and worldwide sustainable food solutions through industry-government-academic partnership. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for innovation in agriculture and food, and highlight the sustainable outcomes of Western Canada’s adoption of innovative technologies like no-till and herbicide-tolerant canola. The conversation emphasizes the importance of partnerships and collaborations between governments, academia, and industry to bring market-relevant innovations to consumers and producers worldwide.

Seeing the Future, Changing the Future (Article)

Business In Edmonton features Herve Faucher, the president and founder of GMS Aggregates Inc, and his success story in the gravel business. After waiting for over a decade, Faucher finally seized the opportunity to own a highly viable gravel pit. Today, GMS Aggregates operates three such pits, providing various products and services.The article also discusses […]

How Will We Explain This Unusual Time in History to Future Generations?

With all the chatter around the Prime Minister’s proposed ‘Just Transition’ plan, and the nuances surrounding what caused the federal government to change the name to ‘Sustainable Jobs,’ I gathered the courage to download the 32 pages headlined: ‘Sustainable Jobs Plan.’ It turns out it is not something one does for entertainment on a Saturday night.

Alberta’s Pre-Election Budget Biggest Surprise? Fiscal Prudence!

Pre-election budgets are rarely admirable. Money is spread around like pixie dust to curry the support of voters and to knee-cap opposition parties by borrowing their ideas. To a certain extent, the pre-election good news budget that Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews delivered Tuesday follows this time-honoured political path, helped by $27.5 billion in oil and gas revenues in the 2022/23 fiscal year. And so, it is easy to chide the budget for populist policies like freezing insurance rates and capping post-secondary tuition fee increases at 2 per cent and for industrial policy measures for politically favoured industries (such as agricultural processing and film and television production). And there is the usual scattering of minor tax credits instead of a general cut in personal taxes – with no mention of a tax review geared to major reform, which the United Conservative Party proposed when it took office.

AEG podcast, Ep.13 – Jay Martin – Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Canadian Media

AEG podcast, Ep.13 – Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Canadian Media In this AEG podcast episode, Jay Martin talks about how media has changed in our lifetime and how it has been advantageous for media creators due to the diminished barriers to entry. This has allowed independent journalists to have a shot at getting their […]

AEG Podcast, Ep.12 – Arash Mahin – Aero HygenX and the Evolution of Disinfection

AEG podcast, Ep.12 - Aero HygenX and the Evolution of Disinfection

AEG podcast, Ep.12 – Aero HygenX and the Evolution of Disinfection Arash Mahin, the co-founder of Aero HygenX, explains that his company provides a sustainable method of disinfection that moves away from traditional chemical methods, which they believe need to evolve. The company utilizes a proven technology, UV-C Technology, that has broad applications beyond what […]

AEG Podcast, Ep. 11 – Inside Education: Inspiring the Future of Energy and Environmental Stewardship

In this podcast episode, AEG interviews Steve MacIsaac from Inside Education, an education support organization in Alberta that provides teachers with tools and resources to inspire their students in the fields of energy, natural resources, and the environment. MacIsaac talks about the organization’s tagline “supporting teachers, inspiring students” and how they work to engage young people in solutions and innovations in the industry. He also shares his observations on the changing engagement of young students over the years, as well as the recent Provincial Youth Summit they held, where high school students were given opportunities to deep dive into issues related to energy, climate, and water, and to develop education and action plans to share with their peers in their communities. The episode ends with MacIsaac’s advice to young energy leaders on how to be engaged and inspired in the future of energy and environmental stewardship.

AEG Podcast, Ep. 10: The Alberta International Air Show: More Than Just an Air Show

In this episode of AEG’s podcast, host Catherine Brownlee welcomes Richard Skermer, a representative of the Alberta International Air Show, to discuss the event’s mission and goals. Richard explains that the air show is not just a typical barnstormer event, but rather a conference and networking center for the aerospace industry with a rodeo as a backdrop. He emphasizes the importance of attracting human capital to the region for economic diversification and the need to showcase Alberta as a dynamic and forward-thinking destination. Richard also discusses the STEAM initiative and the importance of incorporating arts into STEM education. He explains that the success of the air show is measured in metrics and aligning with corporate and government objectives, making it an investment opportunity for sponsors rather than just a weekend event. The air show is set to take place on an August long weekend this year.