AlbertaBETTER

Business Council of Alberta
AlbertaBETTER

AlbertaBETTER explores the big challenges we face as Albertans, and how business, government, and Albertans can co-create a society where prosperity is created and shared by all. New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

  1. 15 OCT.

    Episode #131: The Brief: C-59 Blows an Icy Wind on Canadian Ambition

    Understand the frustrations behind Bill C-59's controversial greenwashing amendments with insights from Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta. Can these changes to the Competition Act redefine the landscape for Canadian companies making environmental claims? Discover how the lack of clarity and rushed legislation might stifle innovation and corporate communication, leaving the Competition Bureau in a tough spot. Explore the broader implications of discouraging future-oriented environmental claims and the potential chilling effect on Canadian entrepreneurship. As Adam sheds light on the disconnect between policymakers and business leaders, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how these provisions could impact investment, growth, and ultimately, the country's economic competitiveness. This episode challenges the cautionary stance taken by the government and its ripple effect on individual livelihoods and Canada's standard of living. We also delve into the complex layers of existing regulations that companies must navigate and how the proposed amendments could lead to frivolous claims that overwhelm the system. From small soap manufacturers to oil giants, businesses are at risk of becoming overly cautious. Tune in to hear our proposal for clear guidance from the Competition Bureau, creating a safe harbour for forward-looking statements that foster a thriving environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

    24 min
  2. 1 OCT.

    Episode #130: C-Suite Unplugged: Ian Burns, President & CEO of Connect First & Servus Credit Union

    On this episode of the C suite, we welcome Ian Burns, CEO of Connect First and Servus Credit Union Limited, who shares his remarkable journey from working at a Costco in high school to leading a major credit union. Ian opens up about his educational background and the unexpected transitions that shaped his career, including a pivotal stint at TELUS. His story is filled with resilience, adaptability, and the importance of seizing opportunities, offering valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. We explore some of the leadership challenges in the world financial services, as well as the transferability of business skills across industries and the critical role of customer service. Ian shares personal anecdotes from his time at TELUS, including innovative strategies during the 2005 strike. We discuss the current challenges faced by credit unions, such as balancing customer and employee needs, navigating economic hurdles, and addressing competition from fintechs and large corporations. The conversation also highlights the consolidation trend within the credit union sector and the strategies for maintaining a competitive edge. The unique culture and operational model of credit unions takes center stage as we examine the advantages of member ownership over traditional banks. Ian explains how credit unions prioritize their members' best interests by being driven not by profits, but by principles of purpose, autonomy, and mastery. Looking ahead, the conversation touches on future growth, digital innovation, and the balance between technology and maintaining community ties, providing a comprehensive view of the long-term outlook for credit unions in Alberta.

    37 min
  3. 10 SEPT.

    Episode #128: The Brief: Hon. Minister Nate Horner - Q1 Fiscal Update

    What was initially a modest $350 million surplus has now skyrocketed to an impressive $2.9 billion. In a first quarter fiscal update that was far from typical, what drove this sudden surplus and what are some of the challenges that come with it? Join us as we sit down with Alberta's Minister of Finance Nate Horner to dissect Alberta's surprising first quarter fiscal update. We'll discuss the driving forces behind this unexpected increase, including oil and gas prices and Alberta's rapid population growth, while also examining the dual-edged sword they represent—while more people mean higher income tax revenue, they also bring added pressure on health, education, and social services. In another compelling segment, we address the complexities of public sector compensation, which accounts for nearly half of Alberta's provincial budget, as well as how federal budgetary decisions may play a role in shaping Alberta's own budget. Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTAs) face significant challenges following the cessation of federal funding, affecting key programs like the Canada-Alberta Jobs Grant.  Listen in as we highlight Alberta's ongoing economic forecast and fiscal strategy, including greater investment in schools and healthcare, the personal income tax cut initiative, the strategic management of the Heritage Fund, and how to prepare for and mitigate the impact of contingencies like natural disasters. Finally, we explore why Alberta continues to attract people despite economic pressures, focusing on its affordability and opportunities.

    21 min
  4. 23 JUILL.

    The Brief: Snapshot - Summer 2024 Edition

    Episode Description Join us as we explore the intricate economic landscape of Alberta in mid-summer, where high inflation and interest rates contrast with robust economic growth. Alongside our chief economist, Mike Holden, we unpack the paradox of a thriving economy and rising unemployment rates in major cities like Calgary and Edmonton. Despite the high business optimism and strong private sector job growth, the rapid influx of newcomers is outpacing job creation, presenting unique challenges for the province. We also examine the financial struggles facing Albertans amidst rising living costs. Inflation may be slowing, but the cost of rent has surged nearly 16% over the past year, leaving many feeling financially insecure. Shifts in consumer spending patterns reveal a decline in discretionary spending and an uptick in essential purchases driven by population growth. Our discussion highlights nuanced retail trends, such as increased sales at gas stations and hardware stores, despite a drop in per-person spending. Looking ahead, we delve into Alberta's economic future, discussing projections that consider inflation, interest rates, and population growth. The potential benefits of decreasing inflation and interest rates could provide relief, particularly for homeowners. We highlight the positive impacts of the U.S. economy on Alberta and the importance of accommodating significant population growth through infrastructure investment. Finally, we explore the critical issue of unemployment rates, emphasizing the need for job creation to match the rapid population influx, ensuring newcomers can contribute positively to Alberta's prosperity. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

    23 min
  5. 27 JUIN

    The Brief: How innovation is helping Alberta adapt to a changing water future

    Alberta's opportunity to contribute to global solutions in agriculture, energy, and health is immense. Seizing this opportunity will take big ideas, lots of collaboration, and a little “can do” attitude. In the special series of The Brief, called Missions & Moonshots, we are talking to top experts, business leaders, innovators, and thought leaders across Alberta and Canada exploring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in energy, agriculture, and health. Our guest is Vicki Lightbown, the Director of the Water Innovation Program at Alberta Innovates. She discusses the state of drought in Alberta today, how innovation can make us resilient in the face of a crisis and what challenges stand in the way of innovation adoption. Vicki Lightbown’s discussion paper can be read here: http://bit.ly/3h5Lb0k About Vicki Lightbown Vicki Lightbown is the Director for the Water Innovation Program at Alberta Innovates. She is a Professional Engineer with a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary. In 2015, Vicki was a recipient of the Young Women in Energy award and in 2016 she was named in the Top 35 under 35 in Canada’s Energy Sector by the Alberta Oil Magazine. In Vicki’s role with Alberta Innovates she works proactively to identify critical technology and knowledge gaps and apply world-class research to develop solutions for some of the biggest water challenges in Alberta.

    15 min
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sur 5
9 notes

À propos

AlbertaBETTER explores the big challenges we face as Albertans, and how business, government, and Albertans can co-create a society where prosperity is created and shared by all. New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

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