News
The latest news, editorials, and conversations shaping Alberta’s business environment.
Stay informed with timely updates, expert insights, and in-depth conversations.
AEG Comment on CSDS 2 Climate-related Disclosure Standards
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.
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.
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.
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.
