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
Trade & Market Access 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
Elisa Hung
Member
Capital Power
Bill Ross
Member
Vercerta
Nathan Carter
Member
ATCO Gas
Debbie Piertrusik
Member
NAIT
Mat Steppan
Member
ASET
Derek Hollman
Member
Epcor
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
Valerie Rodriguez
Member
PWC
Keith Hennel
Member
Dentons
Jason Maltais
Member
Ernst and Young LLP
Joseph Yurkovich
Member
Miller Thomson
David Brown
Member
CORE Management Group Inc.
Ryan Norton
Member
NEXA Capital Ltd.
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
Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson
Member
EllisDon
Jim Webb
Member
Urbanlife Properties Ltd.
Greg Christenson
Member
Christenson Developments
Dan Hanson
Member
Concrete Alberta
Percy Woods
Member
BOMA Edmonton
Kelly Gibbon
Member
Royal Park Realty
George Teply
Member
Aecom
Lynn Wyton
Member
Edmonton International Airport
Doug Sollows
Member
Douglas Sollows Architect Inc.
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
Daylin Breen
Member
Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
Mustafa Farooqi
Member
CIBC
Lee Funke
Member
Torque Communications
Andrew MacIsaac
Member
University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Penny Omell
Member
CIBC Wood Gundy
Wray Steedsman
Member
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
Darrell Toma
Member
Toma & Bouma Management Consultants
Dr. Edy Wong
Member
University of Alberta 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
Todd Chaffey
Member
EPCOR
Faye Elford
Member
I-Care Office Solutions
David Foster
Member
McLennan Ross LLP
Saher Ghattas
Member
Flawless Inbound
Samuel Kemble
Member
Workforce Delivery
Jonathan Koehli
Member
Good Samaritan Society
Gopan Kurup
Member
ARC Business Solutions
Policy Forum
The Policy Forum is the main policy approval body of the Edmonton Chamber. All policies developed by our volunteer committees receive a final review by Policy Forum. In addition to the finished policy, Policy Forum receives the background information and research on the submitted policy. Any proposed resolutions are presented by the committee or task force chair for ratification. After deliberation and approval by Policy Forum, those approved become official policies and positions of the Edmonton Chamber.
Following a successful approval, each policy position is assigned a lobbying plan and thoroughly communicated to appropriate government representatives. The process is facilitated by the Edmonton Chamber policy team with the expert advisement of Policy Forum.
All official policies are available for and welcome public viewing. Review our municipal, provincial and federal policies. If you would like more information about our Policy Forum or to discuss Edmonton Chamber policy positions in greater detail, contact Brent Francis, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, by emailing policy@edmontonchamber.com.
Our current Policy Forum members are:
Bryan DeNeve
Vice Chair
ECC Board
Scott McEachern
Director
ECC Board
Dawn Harsch
Chair
ECC Board
Janelle Trenchuk-Saik
Director
ECC Board
Craig Thorkelsson
Treasurer,
ECC Board
Janet Riopel
ECC President and CEO
Ex-Officio
Sandy Jacobson
Director
ECC Board
Vacant
Chair
Energy and Environment Committee (ECC)
Kathy Bonazew
Chair
Finance and Taxation Committee (FTC)
Tim Morrison
Chair
Municipal Affairs Committee (MAC)
Doug Piquette
Chair
Workforce Development Committee (WDC)
Ian Morrison
Chair
Trade and Market Access Committee (TMC)