Another year has almost come to an end and for the Lloydminster Chamber it has been a busy and productive year.
Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce
Political Action Committee Year in Review
2012 saw an extraordinary number of achievements for the
Political Action Committee. PAC meets monthly with 8 – 10 members around the
table each meeting. The Chamber ED and one board member are also involved with
the Alberta Chamber political action committee that meets six times per year,
primarily by conference call.
We began the year in January with a visit to the Deputy
Minister’s in Edmonton. This was a similar meeting to the one that was held the
previous September with the Deputy Ministers in Saskatchewan. It was an
extremely cold day, however 12 Community leaders met for
lunch and discussion with the DM’s on a number of topics concerning our
community. Mayor Jeff Mulligan indicated at the Chamber AGM that these meetings
opened some doors for our municipal leaders as they strive to provide necessary
linkages between the two provinces.
Our Chamber was involved in the widespread consultations
held by the Saskatchewan Chamber in the areas of employment and labour
legislation that helped shape the provinces new act. A policy resolution that
began in Lloydminster on Photo Speed Enforcement has moved a bit closer to
completion with word that photo speed enforcement will soon be implemented
within construction zones in the province. While this is good news, more work
needs to be done to see this selected issue to a complete resolution. The premier’s Saskatchewan Plan for Growth
followed many of the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Chamber’s Growth
Strategy bringing good news for the business community, and discussion was
restarted on the process which had been used to eliminate the Saskatchewan Film
Employment Tax Credit.
On the Health Care front the Chamber has been actively
involved over the year. Beginning in February we were active in the Community
Engagement committee who was tasked with reviewing and validating the
statistical data that was being gathered about our Health Region. This
culminated in a community open house held over two days in November. In addition the Lloydminster Chamber
presented a policy resolution concerning the practices and obligations of the
College of Physicians and Surgeons in both provinces with the result being that
in October the CPSA & the CPSS along with the Rural Physician Action Plan
CEO met in Lloydminster for a number of
meetings with community leaders and advisory committees as well as Physicians
and the public. The Lloydminster Chamber continues to lead a Health Care Policy
committee in Alberta looking at the policy resolutions that will be presented
in May to the Alberta Chamber policy debate.
Several of the Chamber board members have been on hand to welcome and be
introduced to new doctors and prospective new doctors to the community.
A board member and one of the staff have taken a lead in
continuing the discussion started by the Premiers Council on the Economy last
year. Lakeland College business students developed a website entitled “Shape
the Future” and meetings with school principals has been held to determine the
best way to begin the discussion with high school and middle school students.
In addition, meetings will be set up with Onion Lake First Nation principals to
further the discussions in that community.
Two Candidates Forums were held this year. One for the Alberta
provincial election in April and the other for the Civic election in October.
These were very well attended and feedback was very positive about the
organization and moderation of these events.
We were in attendance at the Lloydminster Public School
Division strategic planning session in May. This is an excellent opportunity to stay
informed about and have input into the educational issues and needs as well as
celebrate the real successes of our school division.
In May staff attended the Saskatchewan Conference on
Business and the Alberta Chambers conference that includes the policy debate
and the adoption of the provincial resolutions. Lloydminster presented
resolutions at both conferences.
Also in May PAC hosted the Saskatchewan Post Budget Tour
breakfast and in November they hosted the Leaders group and the MLA’s at a
meeting. As well in November, PAC hosted the State of the Province address
breakfast with the Honorable Tim McMillan. MLA Richard Starke was also in
attendance. In July, staff and board
members attended the Treaty Six flag raising at City Hall. In August, several
board members attended the Lloydminster Charter presentation and in December
staff & board members attended the signing of the Lloydminster Charter by
both provinces.
In September Chamber president and staff attended the
Canadian Chamber Conference in Hamilton and participated in the policy session
at the national level. Several important policies were adopted that could
affect our local region.
In November, the Chamber along with Alberta Works hosted a
Social Policy focus group to enable members to have input into the social
policy framework for the next three years in Alberta
This focus group was well attended.
In December, the Policy Development round table was held with
several areas of policy concern brought forward. Resolutions will be drafted
for debate at the policy session in January or early February.
PAC has been busy and is working hard for our business
members.
Michael Holden, Chamber Vice President is the Chair of the
Political Action committee
I take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Till next time........
Pat
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