SHPKChamber at Budget 2020

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the 2020 Alberta Budget at the Legislature with Sherwood Park Chamber Executive Director Todd Banks. Budget day is a very important day for Albertans as it sets the course of government for the next year, and each year its impacts are felt across all sectors. The halls of the Legislature were buzzing, as people from across industry, the public sector, and the professions came to the Legislature to share their presence.

The Honourable Travis Toews, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2020, A Blueprint for Jobs, at 3:15 pm in the house with the gallery full of observers on either side.

“Alberta’s history is full of remarkable stories of innovators and mavericks, risk-takers, and determined, hard working people from all walks of life drawn to the boundless opportunities our province offers” Minister Toews continued, “I am pleased to present in this budget A Blueprint for Jobs. This blueprint will support our key sectors of energy, agriculture, and forestry where we’re naturally strong, and leverage our advantages to support sustainable economic diversification, innovation, and business attraction in technology, aviation, and the financial and tourism sectors.”

This year’s budget was highly anticipated and came out favourable for Alberta businesses. The Alberta Chambers of Commerce released their statement supporting the budget, here’s some of what the ACC had to say:

“Predictability and stability are incredibly important to the business community, and today’s budget was very positive in that regard,” says ACC President and CEO Ken Kobly. “This budget continues on the path government set out on in October, with an eye to restraining operating costs while supporting private-sector job growth.”

Chamber Policy Analyst John Perozok, the Honourable Sonya Savage, Chamber Executive Director Todd Banks

We had the opportunity to speak with the Minister of Energy, The Honourable Sonya Savage, and other politicians and various advocates following the budget.

There are many uncertainties in today’s world of changing geopolitics, business, and society, but we remain optimistic that Alberta’s resilient nature will pull through. It was an exciting day to take part in, and on behalf of Todd, I want to thank Minister Nate Glubish (@nateglubish) for his special invitation to attend Budget 2020.