Join us as we explore the intricate economic landscape of Alberta in mid-summer, where high inflation and interest rates contrast with robust economic growth. Alongside our chief economist, Mike Holden, we unpack the paradox of a thriving economy and rising unemployment rates in major cities like Calgary and Edmonton. Despite the high business optimism and strong private sector job growth, the rapid influx of newcomers is outpacing job creation, presenting unique challenges for the province.

We also examine the financial struggles facing Albertans amidst rising living costs. Inflation may be slowing, but the cost of rent has surged nearly 16% over the past year, leaving many feeling financially insecure. Shifts in consumer spending patterns reveal a decline in discretionary spending and an uptick in essential purchases driven by population growth. Our discussion highlights nuanced retail trends, such as increased sales at gas stations and hardware stores, despite a drop in per-person spending.

Looking ahead, we delve into Alberta's economic future, discussing projections that consider inflation, interest rates, and population growth. The potential benefits of decreasing inflation and interest rates could provide relief, particularly for homeowners. We highlight the positive impacts of the U.S. economy on Alberta and the importance of accommodating significant population growth through infrastructure investment. Finally, we explore the critical issue of unemployment rates, emphasizing the need for job creation to match the rapid population influx, ensuring newcomers can contribute positively to Alberta's prosperity.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

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Alberta's opportunity to contribute to global solutions in agriculture, energy, and health is immense. Seizing this opportunity will take big ideas, lots of collaboration, and a little “can do” attitude.

In the special series of The Brief, called Missions & Moonshots, we are talking to top experts, business leaders, innovators, and thought leaders across Alberta and Canada exploring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in energy, agriculture, and health.

Our guest is Vicki Lightbown, the Director of the Water Innovation Program at Alberta Innovates. She discusses the state of drought in Alberta today, how innovation can make us resilient in the face of a crisis and what challenges stand in the way of innovation adoption.

Vicki Lightbown’s discussion paper can be read here: http://bit.ly/3h5Lb0k

About Vicki Lightbown

Vicki Lightbown is the Director for the Water Innovation Program at Alberta Innovates. She is a Professional Engineer with a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary. In 2015, Vicki was a recipient of the Young Women in Energy award and in 2016 she was named in the Top 35 under 35 in Canada’s Energy Sector by the Alberta Oil Magazine. In Vicki’s role with Alberta Innovates she works proactively to identify critical technology and knowledge gaps and apply world-class research to develop solutions for some of the biggest water challenges in Alberta.

Knowing what success looks like is a talent in and of itself, one that extends beyond profit margins and dives deep into the mentalities and approaches of strong management teams and high performing companies. And in the world of private equity, it’s also an immensely important skillset.

On this episode, we speak with Brian Boulanger, Chief Executive Officer at ARC Financial Corp. about his journey to the C-Suite, what’s changed in his approach to leadership, and advice for people early in their career.

We also get Brian’s 50,000-foot view on the state of capital markets, discuss how Canada is viewed by the global investment community, and look ahead at the future of energy markets and Alberta.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J
• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

“The greatest energy in the world is inspired humans.”

The world has come a long way in terms of its energy sources and the united commitment to a low-carbon future. But how do we define “net zero,” and is storing carbon really the right way to be reaching our net zero goals?

In this episode, we speak with Jesse Douglas, CEO of Green Impact Partners, about his entrepreneurial spirit, his journey to the C-Suite, and his leadership philosophy across multiple startups.

We also discuss the difference between purpose-driven and profit-driven organizations, breakdown the biofuel landscape in Alberta, and revel over the exciting soon-to-be completed project in the Future Energy Park, coming to Calgary in 2026.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J
• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

7 of 10 Canadians believe that Canada's immigration system needs to change, with only 28% of Canadians feeling like the current system is working. So where did we go wrong, and what can we do to get back to setting ourselves apart on the global stage?

You might know him as Former Premier of Alberta, or as the longest serving federal Minister of Immigration. But on this episode of The Brief, we speak with the Hon. Jason Kenney to breakdown Canada's immigration system, identify the opportunities and barriers present within, and outline the role of economic immigrants in Canadian society. 

We also discuss the ideal archetype for incoming Canadians, the connection between immigration, economic growth, and national productivity, and what we need to do to set ourselves apart on the global stage.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J
• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

Alberta has seen the strongest employment growth of all large provinces, but while resilient, Alberta has not escaped weak expectations globally or nationally. The labour market is softening, unemployment has ticked up, and Albertans are still feeling the impact of inflation and interest rates, with less than half feeling good about their finances.

Despite this, Alberta businesses are among the most optimistic in the country, and they intend to continue to spend on capital this year. Further, Alberta is attracting a larger share of venture capital dollars, despite a national dip in overall investment.

On this episode, we’re back with BCA’s economics team, Mike Holden and Alicia Planincic, to break down the Spring 2024 update of the Alberta Snapshot, an all-points summary of Alberta’s economy.

We look at the labour market and employment, check up on consumer spending and general affordability, and discuss business expectations and the state of the economy. We also look ahead at indicators to watch and ruminate on what we hope is to come.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J
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• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

There are many things in today’s world that we take for granted, and one of those things is the consistent, reliable access of electricity to our homes. Albertans have high expectations when it comes to the delivery of power from Alberta’s electrical grid, but providing that reliability is no easy task when you service 85% of Albertans.

In this episode, we speak with Gary Hart, President & CEO of AltaLINK, to discuss his journey to the C-Suite, where his leadership philosophy originated, and the areas of focus at AltaLink that are part of the organization’s “no quit” strategy.

We also speak to Gary about the realities of decarbonizing the electrical grid, the current state of affairs, and the need for interties to nearby regions, amongst a variety of other topics.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0
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• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

Like many immigrants to Canada, the going was not always easy. But for Amir Shami, President & CEO of Rotaflow Group of Companies, backing down was never going to be an option.

Now, years after obtaining his P. Eng in Alberta and returning to school to gain the business prowess he felt he was missing, Amir is a thoughtful Albertan leader looking to contribute to the betterment of this province.

In this episode, we talk to Amir about his journey to the C-Suite, his journey to Canada as a new immigrant, his advice for young professionals, and tips and tricks for navigating the re-certification process for newcomers.

We also talked to Amir about his time in Ottawa as part of the One Alberta. One Canada. business advocacy mission, check-in on why he was drawn to the Council’s prosperity-driven immigration task force, and hear from him on what he learned about being a leader.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J
• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

With a storied career in Alberta government, we can’t think of many people with a more impressive portfolio.

From Minister of Agriculture, Advanced Education, Technology, and Finance, to his role as Deputy Premier, all the way to his current role as Partner as P3 Capital Partners, Doug Horner is a through and through Alberta leader who has worked extensively to help make Alberta better.

In this episode, we talk to Doug about his journey to the C-Suite, ask for some insights from his time in government, and have him walk us through the offerings at P3 Capital Partners. We also talk to Doug about the Horner legacy, how family member Minister Nate Horner is doing in his role as Finance Minister, and look ahead to the future of Alberta.

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

2024. The year that must not be named. The Voldemort of years.

After a generation of globalization, peace between major powers, economic integration, and stability, we find ourselves in 2024 in a new political, social, and economic world, and business leaders find themselves thinking about geopolitics more than at any time in recent history.

On today’s episode, we are taking things global. We’re joined by geopolitical experts from the Eurasia Group—Willis Sparks, the Director, Global Macro, and Anna Ashton, Director, China Corporate Affairs and US-China—to talk about the top political risks facing us this year. We’ve packed a lot into this episode, covering a vast range of topics: Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, US election, China, Canada and the US, energy markets, food, and much more!

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About The Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS

Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV