On February 12, 2025, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and Prairies Economic Development Canada hosted a roundtable with Minister Terry Duguid to talk about Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. and what it means for businesses in Alberta.
Why This Matters
Canada and the U.S. trade about $1.3 trillion worth of goods and services every year, creating millions of jobs. But recent trade barriers, tariffs, and shifting U.S. policies are making things harder for Canadian businesses.
Roundtable participants raised several key concerns, including the lingering impact of tariffs from President Trump’s first term, supply chain disruptions, regulatory challenges, and workforce constraints. They emphasized the urgency of strategic infrastructure investments and long-term trade diversification. Business leaders stressed the need to reduce reliance on U.S. markets while strengthening interprovincial trade and expanding global market access.
At the roundtable, 30 business leaders from different industries shared their concerns and ideas on how Canada can strengthen its economy and reduce its reliance on the U.S.
What We Heard
- Make It Easier to Trade Between Province
- Businesses want to see fewer barriers when selling across Canada. Streamlining regulations would make it easier and cheaper to do business nationwide.
- Expand Trade Beyond the U.S
- With increasing uncertainty in U.S. trade, Canada should secure more trade deals with other regions like Europe and Africa. More government support for small businesses to enter global markets would help.
- Invest in Infrastructure
- Building major projects like an east-west pipeline and improving transportation networks would boost trade and attract investment.
- Reduce Red Tape
- Businesses want a simpler, more predictable system for approving projects, especially in key industries like food production and construction. They also called for the removal of recent regulations that create financial challenges.
- Strengthen the Workforce
- With a shortage of skilled workers, businesses urged the government to invest in training programs, apprenticeships, and incentives to keep talent in Canada.
What’s Next?
Minister Duguid listened to these concerns and committed to working on solutions. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce will keep pushing for policies that help Alberta businesses succeed in a changing trade landscape.
Roundtable Participants
- Doug Griffiths, President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
- Hon. Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
- MP Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
- Michele Evans, Assistant Deputy Minister, Prairies Economic Development Canada
- Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor, City of Edmonton
- Brian Purnell, President, Dacro Industries
- Doug Ndegwa, President, Spartan Controls
- Mark McNeill, President, MasterFlo
- Terry Parker, Executive Director, Building Trades of Alberta
- David Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Edmonton Construction Association
- David Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Waiward
- Corey Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Ram Elevators and Lifts
- Mark Plamondon, Executive Director, Alberta Industrial Heartland
- Tanya Doran, Chair, Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association
- Danielle Woo, General Manager, West Edmonton Mall
- Adam Woytiuk, Chief Financial Officer, Alexander Business Centre
- Shelly Mandeville, Executive Director, AKSIS
- Tony Quinlan, Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Tubular
- Bianca Parsons, Executive Director, Alberta Food Producers Association
- Courtney Boyes, Operations Manager, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
- Chantal Ritcey, Public Sector Industry Lead, AltaML
- Jason Leslie, Chief Operating Officer, Alberta Chambers of Commerce
- Manisha Arora, Director of Trade, Edmonton Global
- Steve Lenarduzzi, President, Clark Builders
Have your say.
The Edmonton Chamber wants to hear from you. What are the top issues and priorities for your business this spring? Start the conversation by writing to policy@edmontonchamber.com