February 19th, 2025

Local businesses face perfect storm, says Chamber head


By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on January 30, 2025.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce president Cyndi Crane speaks during Lethbridge East MLA Nathan Neudorf's fireside chat Tuesday at the Sandman Hotel.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce wants to see an environment created where businesses and their employees can thrive.

For businesses to survive and thrive, regulations need to be streamlined and roadblocks removed, the audience at Lethbridge East MLA Nathan Neudorf’s fireside chat heard on Tuesday from Chamber president Cyndi Crane.

Crane also addressed the closure across Canada of all Peavey Mart locations, a business with roots dating back to 1967 which “has been a pillar in many of our communities for decades, especially our smaller rural areas.

“Its closure is not just a loss of jobs or a retail location, it’s a poignant reminder of the broader challenges that businesses – large and small – are grappling with every day,” said Crane in her opening address before Neudorf’s talk.

“Businesses today are navigating a perfect storm. Record low consumer confidence, people are holding tighter to their wallets” as they fall victim to economic uncertainty,” Crane said.

Inflationary pressures and rising costs are eroding purchasing power for consumers and margins for businesses, escalating operating costs from utilities to rent and wages.

“Businesses are squeezed tighter than ever,” said Crane.

The ripple effects of global instability have made it harder and more expensive for businesses to get the products they need, said Crane.

And while well intentioned, some regulations “can become roadblocks adding complexity and cost to doing business. What can we do?” asked Crane.

“In moments like this, it’s very easy to feel defeated,” said Crane, adding she believes strongly in the resilience of Lethbridge’s business community.

She told Neudorf that with his leadership and collaboration across all evels of government, there can be a focus on solutions “that will make a meaningful difference. Let’s streamline regulation. Businesses are asking for a regulatory environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Simplifying processes can go a long way to reducing costs and support small businesses. This can have a ripple effect throughout the economy,” Crane added.

Workforce supports are needed with inflation impacting businesses. Such supports could include programs that include access to affordable child care, housing and education which would help stabilize the workforce, Crane said.

And temporary tax breaks or subsidies for struggling sectors could “provide immediate relief while we work toward long-term solutions,” added Crane.

She told Neudorf, who also serves as provincial minister of Affordability and Utilities, that she knows he shares the Chamber’s commitment to fostering a thriving, resilient economy and the local business community stands ready to partner with the Alberta government on practical solutions to challenges whether through policy advocacy, workforce development initiatives or programs that spur innovation “we’re all invested in seeing Alberta succeed.”

The Chamber president added “let us use this moment to double down on our efforts to create an environment where business can grow and serve their communities for generations to come.”

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Say What . . .

Yes, but I have to ask where the Chamber of Commerce was when businesses were being devastated by the opening of the Supervised Drug Consumption Site? For us in the downtown, the Chamber was deliguent and appeared to side with the Site and ignored pleas from us business owners.
Have you looked at all the open office space downtown? I will say that it was the MLA East, Nathan Neudorf who heard our pleas, even though Shannon Phillips was our MLA, she ignored our pleas as well.
Downtown continues to see more businesses closing and talking to some of the other businesses, that is going to increase.
They are tired of calling police and getting little to no action, while properties are damaged and staff, owners and customers are assaulted.
With the increased shelter space, the issues are going to increase and I for maybe one of those closing.



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