7/26/2019 Letter to Premier Notley

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Premier Notley,

We write to you today about the dire economic situation impacting all Albertans.

We are an alliance of business associations and employer groups that is

unprecedented in scope. Collectively we represent virtually every sector of the

Alberta economy and employ hundreds of thousands of Albertans. Individually we

have unique and often competing challenges and priorities, but we all share a

common concern for Albertas future.

Albertans from all wal!s of life are e"periencing hardships not seen in decades. #ow

energy prices have crippled Albertas energy industry, a$ecting businesses both

directly and indirectly associated with energy production. %usiness and consumer

con&dence are nearing all'time lows and the provincial unemployment rate is

soaring.

We ac!nowledge that this downturn is beyond any governments control. (owever,

we have also seen the rapid deployment of a series of ambitious government

policies that have further undermined business con&dence and competitiveness.

)ising corporate and personal ta"es, a costly carbon ta" and an historic increase to

the provinces minimum wage are impacting Albertas economy when it most needs

a boost.

We also ac!nowledge that the Alberta government is facing a signi&cant budget

shortfall. *ogether, we must &nd a way to balance the provincial budget while at the

same time setting the conditions for economic success. +ne cannot happen without

the other.

We applaud your governments e$orts to secure better mar!et access for Alberta

energy. *he recent royalty review process wisely maintained Albertas e"isting oil

and gas royalty structure, ac!nowledging that the industry needs long term cost

certainty. *his pragmatic approach should prevail in other aspects of policy'ma!ing.

*he establishment of the Premiers Advisory Committee on the conomy is also a

positive step that ac!nowledges the severity of the challenges faced by Albertans

and promises action.

%eginning with the upcoming provincial budget, we as! for two things. -irst of all, a

moratorium on maor new public policies that will have a detrimental impact on the

ability of businesses to create and preserve obs, attract capital or e$ectively

compete in a global mar!et until the economy recovers. /peci&cally, we as! that ta"

increases be categorically ruled out, that the proposed increase in the minimumwage be delayed, and that the coming carbon ta" be made truly revenue neutral

with o$setting ta" reductions.

/econdly, we as! that the government move quic!ly on a number of other areas

that will allow businesses and their employees to con&dently ma!e decisions with

certainty about the environment within which they operate. -or instance, the details

about a potential ob creation strategy and the program aimed at mitigating cost

7/26/2019 Letter to Premier Notley

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increases on businesses imposed by the forthcoming carbon ta" should be

immediately unveiled.

As a &rst step toward identifying and implementing meaningful solutions, we

respectfully request a meeting with you and your Cabinet colleagues to begin a

dialogue on these issues and identify a path forward. In the coming days, we will be

in touch with your o0ce in order to arrange a suitable time to meet and further layout our ideas for preserving obs and prosperity for Albertans.

/incerely, the undersigned1

Alberta nterprise 2roup

Alberta )oadbuilders and (eavy Construction Association

Canadian -ederation of Independent %usiness

Canadian Association of 2eophysical Contractors

Canadian Association of +ilwell 3rilling Contractors

Canadian (ome %uilders Association'Alberta

Canadian Institute of /teel

Canadian 4anufacturers and "porters

#andscape Alberta

4erit Contractors Association

Petroleum /ervices Association of Canada

Progressive Contractors Association of Canada

)estaurants Canada

)etail Council of Canada

*he *alent Pool

Cc1(on 5oe Ceci, 4inister of -inance(on. 3eron %ilous, 4inister of conomic 3evelopment(on. Christina 2ray, 4inister of #abour