While discussions surrounding the NDP's controversial minimum wage increase have kept local chamber executives busy, the labour minister's was not the only ear they sought to bend.
St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce tackled many important advocacy issues in the past year, from a shortage of parking in the city's downtown to the creation of a sustainable provincial health care system.
Over the summer, president and CEO Lynda Moffat met with Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason to discuss the extension and expansion of Highway 2 North.
For years, the chamber has been pushing for the twinning of Ray Gibbon Drive. By expanding its focus to regional benefits of a direct route to Alberta's north, Moffat believes she was successful in selling the need for an expanded Highway 2.
Before meeting with Mason, she consulted mayors of Athabasca and Sturgeon County about economic growth in their jurisdictions. She also spoke to Mason, who is a big proponent of public transportation, about plans to build an LRT line along the St. Albert Trail.
But Moffat will have to wait until the province releases its next budget to know for sure.
"What we asked is to start seeing this show up somewhere," said Moffat.
The Chamber successfully advocated against the closure of the Perron Street Post Office, which was being contemplated by Canada Post.
In May, the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce presented an updated version of its Nurse Practitioner Policy to the Alberta Chambers of Commerce policy conference in Red Deer.
Originally presented in 2013, the policy calls for better integration of nurse practitioners in an effort to increase primary care access, as well as the creation of alternate relationship plans that would provide direct funding for both physicians and nurse practitioners.
Better access to health care makes communities more competitive, explained Moffat. While the government has made a lot of progress on this file, Moffat said it is just as important to show support as to advocate.
"It still takes pushing," she said. "Sometimes (the government) does a lot of work in good areas and it doesn't go anywhere."
As for minimum wage, despite the NDP's decision to move forward with a $15 minimum wage by 2018 the Chamber will continue to advocate on behalf of its members, whom Moffat said are "really hurting.
"We'll continue to strategize on next steps," she said. "It's a very important issue and it's having a very negative impact on our businesses."
2017 Chamber
On Wednesday, Chamber members voted for a new board of directors.
The new chamber chairman is St. Albert Gazette publisher Brian Bachynski, who has served the Chamber board for the past four years. Ken Macrae is now past chairman.
New to the Chamber executive are Kristen Boser, realtor at Sarasota Realty; and Don Johnston, president and founder of Johnston Builders.
Returning members are as follows:
Jodi McFadzen, owner of Penzen Ltd., first vice chair
Mark Stoneleigh, branch manager of ATB Financial - Tudor Glen, treasurer
Garry Wetsch, corporate council for Landrex, director
Mel Knott, realtor with RE/MAX Professionals, director
No longer with the board is Karen Chiasson, co-owner of the McDonald's restaurants in St. Albert.
