Two Calgary companies have shifted their business model to help out as COVID-19 case counts continue to rise in Alberta.

The Plus-15 walkway system downtown had been bustling with activity leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic and now it is nearly empty.

Calgary Chamber of Commerce's president and CEO, Sandip Lalli, said the city could still feel the after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for up to 18 months. 

Several small businesses in Calgary have closed their doors amid the coronavirus outbreak. But new funding is looking to help them get through these difficult times.

Travis Toews spoke to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce about the provincial budget and how the government plans to increase competitiveness and attract investment.

The executive director of the United Conservative Party took to Twitter to criticize the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night.

The man appointed by the prime minister to be his special representative for the Prairie provinces took a conciliatory tone at a Calgary business luncheon.

Calgary's mayor says ideas being floated to give Alberta more independence from the federal government would be costly.

"We can no longer afford to spend at that rate. We can no longer spend like we're the rich kids on the block because, quite frankly, we're not anymore."

Calgarians have until the end of the business day Monday to give feedback on the proposed events centre deal.