Lethbridge

The next year promises to bring many changes, challenges and opportunities to the Lethbridge Business Community. While our local economy remains strong we must be attentive to our municipal budgets and policies.  The Federal and Provincial deficits coupled with uncertain domestic and global financial markets will continue to impact how local businesses operate.

 
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce has an important and powerful role as the voice of the business community.  We represent in excess of 750 businesses in the Lethbridge area. Our strong voice has been recognized with the Alberta Chamber of the Year award which we received in May at the recent Alberta Chamber AGM hosted in Lethbridge.  The collective efforts of our executive, board, committees and staff made this award possible. Thank you to Paul Pharo, our outgoing President, for his strong leadership over the past year. We look forward to Paul’s continued support of our chamber in his role as Past President.  Joining me on the executive Committee are:

    President-Elect, Randy Tremel

    Vice-President,  Darren Boras

    Vice-President Finance, Sue Snicer

Bill Waugh, Bruce Thurston and Bruce Galts have also been appointed to the executive committee as Executive Directors. The next year promises to be a very busy one. Below are a few of the issues and events we will be dealing with over the next year:

In September, Jody, Randy and I will be attending the Canadian Chamber AGM and Policy Conference in Gatineau, as representatives for the Lethbridge Chamber. We will be bringing 2 resolutions to the floor this year.  Our first is “Water for Life”, a resolution calling for a national water management strategy. The second is “The Thebaine Opportunity “a resolution calling for the federal government to facilitate the development of a Canadian Pharmaceutical Industry recognizing the potential of farming and processing of the Thebaine Poppy in Canada. Both of these resolutions were passed at the Alberta AGM this spring and have the support of the Canadian Chamber Policy Committee.

In October we will be hosting our Candidates Forum/Debates in conjuction with the Lethbridge Municipal Elections.

In November we will be visiting Edmonton to meet with our provincial ministers and their senior staff.  At these meetings we will be representing the needs of our business community to the Provincial Government.

The Lethbridge Chamber offers numerous value added programs that serve both small and large business. There are 7 separate committees dealing with a variety of issues and events. I would urge you to get involved. From networking events to advertising and sponsorship opportunities I know you will find your Lethbridge Chamber experience very worthwhile.

These are exciting times for Lethbridge and for the entire Province of Alberta. I am honored and privileged to be President of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible to learn more about your businesses, your issues and your vision for the Lethbridge  business community.