Welcome to Chestermere Chamber of Commerce

 The loss of more than 200 jobs at Federated Co-operatives’ food distribution warehouse in Calgary caps a gloomy week for local workers, one that’s seen almost 1,000 positions evaporate within a few days.

It’s a sobering reminder that the employment situation remains fragile in the city and across the province heading into the final month of 2019.

In the past week alone, several large-scale layoffs were announced, some tied to provincial budget cuts — such as at the University of Calgary and Calgary Board of Education — while other job losses unfolded in the private sector.

The United Nations has released another alarming report, outlining the scale of the challenge facing the world if we want to hold greenhouse gas emissions to levels where people can comfortably live on the planet. The report by the World Meteorological Organization states that despite a lot of promises from world leaders, greenhouse gas emissions continued to rise in 2018 “with no sign of a slowdown, let alone a decline.”

I’ve come up with a way to address climate that might appeal to the entrepreneurial spirit of Alberta. From now on, whenever some pesky 16-year-old climate activist from Sweden says the words “climate crisis,” let’s sub in the words “brilliant opportunity to make a fistful of money.”

 Mayor Marshall Chalmers reflected on the accomplishments of the city council throughout the year and the steps moving forward to make “Chestermere Amazing” during the annual Chestermere Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Breakfast on Nov. 28.

“Chestermere is a prime destination, sunshine, beaches, peaceful tranquility, dynamic opportunities, recreational lifestyle, surfing, skating, and most importantly a place with a bright future,” Chalmers said.

  When the current city council was elected, they had a list of immediate priorities, such as mitigating Chestermere Utilities Incorporated (CUI), reducing a planned tax increase of two percent...