Calgary dealing with economic challenges by focusing on opportunities: Nenshi

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke with the Calgary Chamber Tuesday morning at his annual state of the union address.

He pointed out that Calgary has gone from the lowest unemployment rate in the country to the highest in less than two years, climbing to 10.3 per cent in November.

Nenshi described a four-pronged attack by the city to help businesses affected by the economic downturn.

The mayor said the city is creating opportunities like taking advantage of low costs to build, which in turn creates more employment opportunities. He pointed out the three major intersections that are under construction simultaneously: 16 Avenue and Bowfort Road N.W., Macleod Trail and 162 Avenue S and Glenmore Trail and Ogden Road S.E..

Nenshi also said it is important to continue to sell the City of Calgary to the world, to help attract businesses and head offices. He said the city needs to continue to reassure Calgarians their municipal government is operating as efficiently as possible and that essential services will continue to be available during difficult times without additional cost.

He said it is more important than ever for multiple levels of government to back up businesses.

“It is not the time for government to add to the problem by cutting back on essential services, by adding to the unemployment rolls. This is precisely the time those services are needed more than ever.”

Adam Legge, the president of the Calgary Chamber, questioned whether now is a good time for the provincial government to raise taxes and implement new programs that could affect the bottom line.

“I think the mayor said it right, don’t make it worse, and I think in the eyes of many businesses, some of the provincial government decisions have made it worse…things like raising minimum wages, the corporate income taxes, the carbon levy etc.. So many businesses feel like they are being kicked when they are down.”

Legge expressed concern over the incoming carbon tax.

“We are sitting here almost 15 days out from implementation without a full set of details. I think it’s very concerning to businesses… tells them it’s not fully baked.”

Nenshi pointed to some positives at Tuesday’s sold-out event, including that Calgary saw more company start-ups then company closures in 2016.

In November, Nenshi announced plans to run for re-election. He was first elected mayor in 2010, then re-elected in 2013.

Calgary’s next municipal election is Oct. 16, 2017.