Policy committees help businesses in Edmonton by advocating on behalf of our members to positively influence decisions made by all levels of government. Once policy positions are established, they are submitted to appropriate levels of government in order to vocalize member concerns and influence the impact of government decisions on business. Additionally, each year the Edmonton Chamber has the unique opportunity to submit policies for consideration and potential approval to both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Our committees consist of remarkable individuals—employed by our member companies—that actively initiate positive change on behalf of businesses in Edmonton.
A summary of our Policy Committees and the Committee Members can be found below.
Energy & Environment Committee
Energy & Environment Committee
Edmonton’s economy is strongly linked with this province’s energy sector. Finding the proper balance between responsible resource development and environmental protection is paramount. It is crucial that municipal, regional, provincial and federal government policies reflect that balance.
Particular areas of interest include, but are not limited to: market access for energy, regulation of energy developments, environmental protection, renewable energy, energy efficiency and impacts of environmental policy on business.
Once policy positions are established, they are submitted to appropriate levels of government in order to vocalize member concerns and influence the impact of government decisions on business. Additionally, each year the Edmonton Chamber has the unique opportunity to submit policies for consideration and potential approval to both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This committee consists of a remarkable team of individuals that actively initiate positive change on behalf of businesses in Edmonton.
Interested in joining our Energy and Environment committee? The Edmonton Chamber is always looking for valuable members with unique strengths to join our volunteer team. To apply for a volunteer position or learn more about the expectations and benefits of joining our policy committee, contact Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, by emailing policy@edmontonchamber.com.
Our current Energy and Environment Committee members are:
Shaun Brennan
Member
ENMAX
Derek Hollman
Member
EPCOR
Elisa Hung
Member
Capital Power
Steven Kwasny
Member
MNP LLP
Isabelle Michaud
Member
Direct Energy
Andrei Nikiforuk
Member
ARDN Energy Consulting Inc.
Debbie Pietrusik
Member
NAIT
Gord Rajewski
Member
Pinchin Ltd.
Bill Ross
Member
Vercerta
Finance & Taxation Committee
The Finance and Taxation Committee focuses on taxation and fiscal issues affecting the local business community. The committee monitors the fiscal activities of all levels of government and considers current macroeconomic conditions and trends.
The areas monitored by the Committee include, but are not limited to: fiscal policies and programs, tax policies, statutes and regulations. The Finance and Tax Committee leads the monitoring and analysis of budgets of all levels of government in collaboration with other committees.
Once policy positions are established, they are submitted to appropriate levels of government in order to vocalize member concerns and influence the impact of government decisions on business. Additionally, each year the Edmonton Chamber has the unique opportunity to submit policies for consideration and potential approval to both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This committee consists of a remarkable team of individuals that actively initiate positive change on behalf of businesses in Edmonton.
Interested in joining our Finance and Taxation committee? The Edmonton Chamber is always looking for valuable members with unique strengths to join our volunteer team. To apply for a volunteer position or learn more about the expectations and benefits of joining our policy committee, contact Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, by emailing policy@edmontonchamber.com.
Our current Finance and Taxation Committee members are:
Kathy Bonazew
Chair
MNP LLP
Rob Cole
Member
CIBC Wood Gundy
Keith Hennel
Member
Dentons
Jason Maltais
Member
Ernst and Young LLP
Ryan Norton
Member
Sageworth Partners Inc.
Kris Troppmann
Member
Finning
Valerie Rodriguez
Member
PWC
Joseph Yurkovich
Member
Miller Thomson
Municipal Affairs Committee
The Municipal Affairs Committee focuses on municipal and regional issues affecting the local business community.
The areas monitored by the Committee include, but are not limited to: major regional infrastructure, growth strategies, transportation systems, capital plans, development regulations, permitting and approval processes and regional governance and service delivery.
Once policy positions are established, they are submitted to appropriate levels of government in order to vocalize member concerns and influence the impact of government decisions on business. Additionally, each year the Edmonton Chamber has the unique opportunity to submit policies for consideration and potential approval to both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This committee consists of a remarkable team of individuals that actively initiate positive change on behalf of businesses in Edmonton.
Interested in joining our Municipal Affairs committee? The Edmonton Chamber is always looking for valuable members with unique strengths to join our volunteer team. To apply for a volunteer position or learn more about the expectations and benefits of joining our policy committee, contact Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, by emailing policy@edmontonchamber.com.
Our current Municipal Affairs Committee members are:
Tim Morrison
Chair
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Greg Christenson
Member
Christenson Developments
Dan Hanson
Member
Impact Consulting
Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson
Member
EllisDon Construction
Jed Johns
Member
EPCOR
Sandra Johnston
Member
Johnston Research
Doug Sollows
Member
Douglas Sollows Architect Inc.
Yonathan Sumamo
Member
Global Public Affairs
George Teply
Member
Aecom
Jim Webb
Member
Urbanlife Properties Ltd.
Percy Woods
Member
BOMA Edmonton
Lynn Wyton
Member
Edmonton International Airport
Trade & Market Access Committee
The Trade and Market Access Committee is primarily focused on policies that support the competitiveness of Edmonton’s economy, access to markets, and initiatives that reduce excess regulations and red tape.
The areas monitored by the Committee include, but are not limited to: transportation, logistics and trade, regulations, trade policies and negotiations.
Once policy positions are established, they are submitted to appropriate levels of government in order to vocalize member concerns and influence the impact of government decisions on business. Additionally, each year the Edmonton Chamber has the unique opportunity to submit policies for consideration and potential approval to both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This volunteer committee consists of a remarkable team of individuals that actively initiate positive change on behalf of business in Edmonton.
Interested in joining our Trade and Market Access Committee? The Edmonton Chamber is always looking for valuable members with unique strengths to join our volunteer team. To apply for a volunteer position or learn more about the expectations and benefits of joining our policy committee, contact Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, by emailing policy@edmontonchamber.com.
Our current Trade and Market Access Committee members are:
Ian Morrison
Chair
Stantec
Wray Steedsman
Member
IDX Labs
Mark Evans
Member
Complete Shipping Solutions
Lee Funke
Member
Torque Communications
Andrew MacIsaac
Member
U of A, College of Pharmacy
Karan Nikhanj
Member
LSS Analytics
Penny Omell
Member
CIBC Wood Gundy
Alim Somji
Member
Jaffer Inc.
Mammen Tharakan
Member
Edmonton International Airport
Darrell Toma
Member
Toma & Bouma Management Consultants
Dr. Edy Wong
Member
U of A, Alberta School of Business
Workforce Development Committee
The Workforce Development Committee is focused on long-term workforce challenges, building capacity in Edmonton’s workforce and ensuring members have the talented individuals needed to meet current demands and support future growth.
The areas monitored by the Committee include, but are not limited to: education, skills training, immigration, labour relations, unemployment and labour supply.
Once policy positions are established, they are submitted to appropriate levels of government in order to vocalize member concerns and influence the impact of government decisions on business. Additionally, each year the Edmonton Chamber has the unique opportunity to submit policies for consideration and potential approval to both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This volunteer committee consists of a remarkable team of individuals that actively initiate positive change on behalf of business in Edmonton.
Interested in joining our Workforce Development committee? The Edmonton Chamber is always looking for valuable members with unique strengths to join our volunteer team. To apply for a volunteer position or learn more about the expectations and benefits of joining our policy committee, contact Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, by emailing policy@edmontonchamber.com.
Our current Workforce Development Committee members are:
Doug Piquette
Chair
Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council
Gabrielle Battiste
Member
Ladderup Consulting Ltd.
Aaron Briddon
Member
BMB International Recruitment
Todd Chaffey
Member
EPCOR
Faye Elford
Member
Matco Moving Solutions
Rosa Ellithorpe
Member
Navigator Limited
David Foster
Member
McLennan Ross LLP
Samuel Kemble
Member
Workforce Delivery
Gopan Kurup
Member
ARC Business Solutions
Deryck Litoski
Member
Western Management Consultants
Joy Monsma
Member
Teneo Consulting