On Monday, July 10 we headed west to Calgary to participate in a full day of important meetings with our Western Executive Council, and host a lively reception in collaboration with Parkland Corporation.

 Western Executive Council Meetings

Our morning began with a meeting amongst our Western Executive Council, with a special appearance from the Right Honourable Stephen Harper.

We then welcomed a roundtable meeting with Conservative Members of Parliament to engage in conversation on the priorities of the Western Executive Council.

We finished our afternoon by welcoming the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development to discuss some of the council’s key concerns regarding infrastructure, agriculture and regulatory modernization.

Key Priorities Addressed

• The impact of the strike at Canada’s west coast ports. Please read our statement on the tentative agreement.
• If we can’t move Canadian goods, we can’t sell them, and that’s bad news for everyone. Canada needs better transportation infrastructure — both our allies and our GDP depend on it.
• We must focus on measures that enable Western Canadian businesses to scale and access economies looking for safe and secure natural resources the West can provide.
• It is imperative to strengthen Western Canada’s investment in agriculture and incentivize industry innovation at the same level as other innovative sectors in the Canadian economy. 

Stampede Reception

Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, pictured with Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary and Deborah Yedlin, CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

After an afternoon of thoughtful discussion, we moved to the Palomino Smokehouse where, in collaboration with Parkland Corporation, guests were welcomed into an exciting evening of food, music and lots of cowboy hats!

We would like to thank Parkland Corporation, the Palomino Smokehouse and all of our guests who made the evening a success.

About the Western Executive Council

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Western Executive Council is composed of Chief Executive Officers from a cross section of companies that are committed to building a stronger Western Canadian economy, and by extension a more successful and sustainable economy for all of Canada.  

The Council plays a leading role in developing and advocating sustainable, positive policies that include uniquely Western perspectives for the benefit of all Canadians.

The Western Executive Council is co-chaired by Susannah Pierce, President, Country Chair, and VP Emerging Energy Solutions at Shell Canada; and Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO and AGT Food and Ingredients.