News
The latest news, editorials, and conversations shaping Alberta’s business environment.
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Erika Barootes Appointed President of Alberta Enterprise Group
Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) has appointed Erika Barootes as President, positioning the organization for a new chapter of expanded influence and advocacy for Alberta’s business community. With extensive leadership, communications and government experience, Barootes will focus initially on listening to members and strengthening AEG’s role as a clear, credible and constructive voice for business.
Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) has appointed Erika Barootes as President, positioning the organization for a new chapter of expanded influence and advocacy for Alberta’s business community. With extensive leadership, communications and government experience, Barootes will focus initially on listening to members and strengthening AEG’s role as a clear, credible and constructive voice for business.
Turning Energy into Food
Canada’s small businesses have a big impact on our economy. As of 2021, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in the country. Of that number, nearly 98 per cent were small businesses. Over eight million Canadians, or roughly 68 per cent of the total private sector labour force, were employed by a small business.1 To top it off, they generated nearly 38 per cent of private sector GDP in 2019.
Canada’s small businesses have a big impact on our economy. As of 2021, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in the country. Of that number, nearly 98 per cent were small businesses. Over eight million Canadians, or roughly 68 per cent of the total private sector labour force, were employed by a small business.1 To top it off, they generated nearly 38 per cent of private sector GDP in 2019.
The AEG podcast, Episode 4: Scaling Up Innovation in Alberta: Navigating Barriers and Sharing Lessons with the World
This podcast discusses the work of ERA, an organization in Alberta that invests in technology and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow the economy. Justin mentions the benefits of their investments and highlights some of their funded projects, such as the hydrogen train and hydrogen semi-trucks. He also mentions the challenges of scaling up technology, including the lack of risk-taking capital and the importance of having a good business model and company management acumen. Justin emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences, both successes and failures, and mentions the efforts in environmental sustainability being made in Alberta. He also mentions the difficulty of finding help for innovators but encourages them to persevere and seek help from various sources.
This podcast discusses the work of ERA, an organization in Alberta that invests in technology and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow the economy. Justin mentions the benefits of their investments and highlights some of their funded projects, such as the hydrogen train and hydrogen semi-trucks. He also mentions the challenges of scaling up technology, including the lack of risk-taking capital and the importance of having a good business model and company management acumen. Justin emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences, both successes and failures, and mentions the efforts in environmental sustainability being made in Alberta. He also mentions the difficulty of finding help for innovators but encourages them to persevere and seek help from various sources.

