We will be closely reviewing the Competition Bureau’s Draft Guidelines in the coming weeks, and will be following the public consultation process more generally. However, our preliminary view is that the Draft Guidelines, if and when adopted, will do nothing to meaningfully clarify or limit the scope of the new provisions, and therefore will not in any way mitigate the significant restrictions on free expression imposed by the new provisions.
AEG brings together the expertise, insight and invaluable contributions of Alberta’s most influential business leaders, owners, operators, professionals and investors. United in their commitment, they work to champion Alberta’s boundless potential and opportunities on the global stage, ensuring the province thrives in the international arena.
A Year in Review – The AEG Annual Report 2024
“Central to our work is AEG’s core belief that meaningful change comes from a broadnet work of influencers and proven decision-makers across every major industry inAlberta. Together, we know that we can achieve more. Our network allows businesses of all sizes to connect with Alberta’s business leaders and policymakers, providing them with a clear and informed view of the provincial landscape. This access enables businesses to stay knowledgeable about industry developments, legislative changes, and key economic trends impacting Alberta.” – Catherine Brownlee, President, Alberta Enterprise Group
Canadian Sustainability Standards Board Fails Canadians
Calgary – Catherine Brownlee, President of the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG), made the following statement in response to the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) newly released sustainability and climate disclosure standards:
“We are disappointed that the CSSB seems to have conducted consultations with no regard for those that took the time to submit as part of the consultation process. This is a sham. The only changes made were to extend the relief of compliance by an additional year from what was proposed in the standards. It would seem there was never an intent to consider substantially modifing the standards for the Canadian context aside from extending the dates of compliance. It is shocking that none of the recommendations from the majority of stakeholder responses were included in the published standards.”
CALGARY – Earlier this week, the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) and the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) jointly filed a constitutional challenge against the federal government, over its new ‘Greenwashing’ law which unreasonably restricts free speech.
The challenge, filed in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, targets sections 236 and 239 of Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, which amended the Competition Act in ways that severely limit the business community’s ability to discuss environmental impacts. These provisions impose unreasonable restrictions on the dissemination of truthful and fair-minded information, striking at the heart of free expression and open debate in Canada.
After extensive consultation with our members, we must convey that we are in firm disagreement with CSDS 1and CSDS 2 as they are expected to bring about increased costs and uncertainties for businesses, particularly SMEs, with limited advantages for larger corporations, investors, or consumers. We must point out that these standards also contradict the values of a free market system by influencing investor choices and directing capital flows in a manner inconsistent with free enterprise.
I am picking up some chatter within certain circles in Alberta and Canada that the UK’s net-zero framework is a plan to emulate. This position is ostensibly informed by an invitation-only whirlwind tour of handpicked UK net-zero projects and initiatives attended by a group of Canadians. My fellow Canadians were duly impressed by what they were shown and came away, after a few days, with the idea that the people and industries are united in a “Team UK” approach. There were several key “takeaways” from the tour but the top three included: an aggressive net-zero timeline that “everybody appears to be on board with”; the UK has a new type of increased decarbonized industrial production guided and driven by government industrial planning; and a serious concern with energy security.
In the autumn of 2022, on your behalf, AEG opposed federal bill C-235 “An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies”. AEG stood up for Alberta’s businesses by arguing that not only was the bill undermining areas of provincial jurisdiction but also that it was likely the bill would add to rather than alleviate the regulatory burden or costs of compliance of the numerous federal green regulations and programmes already being implemented in the Prairies.
Each day, Canadians invest in the future of Canada, betting on our potential for growth and prosperity for all. We dedicate our time, our creativity, and our money, believing that the ultimate investment is in the growth of our country and the futures of our young people.
The Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) appreciates the opportunity to offer comments and feedback on the Federal Plastics Registry consultation. Our members believe this is an unnecessary initiative that will not only introduce another layer of stifling regulation and red tape but will also have negative impacts on the environment and human health.
