BCA Podcasts

Last week, the federal government released its latest budget during a time where Canada faces many economic challenges: high inflation, low business investment, low productivity, and an increasingly competitive environment thanks to the US Inflation Reduction Act. While Canada has high environmental and economic ambitions, we need to move at a speed and scale never before seen to meet them. Does Budget 2023 help get us there? On this episode, we’re joined by Business Council of Canada Senior Vice President of Policy, Robert Asselin to discuss Canada’s economic challenges and to reflect on Budget 2023. We discuss the importance of Canada’s newly announced tax investment credits for hydrogen, the green electricity program, the urgent need for a Canadian advanced research projects agency, and where we fell short in the latest federal budget. We also reflect on economic policies that could change the tide, and where Canada can focus its attention in the short- and long-term to help turn things around. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

Alberta's opportunity to contribute to global solutions in agriculture, energy, and health is immense. Seizing this opportunity will take big ideas, lots of collaboration, and a little “can do” attitude. In the special series of The Brief, called Missions & Moonshots, we are talking to top experts, business leaders, innovators, and thought leaders across Alberta and Canada exploring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in energy, agriculture, and health. Our guest is Reg Joseph, CEO of Health Cities, a leader in healthcare innovation, and he will be sharing his insights on Alberta's big opportunity to transform Alberta's health care delivery through innovation including: the challenges with Canada's healthcare systems today the potential to transform healthcare in Alberta strengths, assets, opportunities, and challenges to reach our potential policies and investments needed The full paper can be read here: http://bit.ly/3h5Lb0k About Reg Joseph Reg Joseph was appointed as the CEO of Health Cities in February 2018. He has 20 years of experience spanning the health, technology, and investment sectors. At Health Cities, Reg is focused on developing new pathways for healthcare delivery to drive better health outcomes and economic growth for our region. Reg has served in a wide variety of roles, including as an analyst with Boston-based Leerink Swann & Co. and as a manager of a global business unit at US-based Invitrogen Corporation (now Thermo Fisher). Reg has founded and led local health technology companies and most recently served as Alberta Innovates’ Vice President of Health, managing outgoing investments from the Heritage Fund. In addition to serving on multiple boards of health technology companies, Reg is currently Chair of the Board of BioTalent Canada and of MacEwan University’s Board of Governors. Reg has a BSc. in Physiology and an MBA in Finance. About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

2022 drastically changed the global realities around energy. Between the war in Ukraine, fluctuating energy prices, Europe’s energy crisis, and a steadfast commitment to a low-carbon energy transition, the future of energy no longer looks like it once did. But present within that changing reality is a new opportunity to be a global leader in the energy space, and it is now up to each country to decide how best to respond. On this episode, we’re joined by energy expert, Jackie Forrest, Executive Director at ARC Energy Research Institute and co-host of the ARC Energy Ideas Podcast. We speak with Jackie about the future of Canada’s energy systems, the opportunities and realities present in Canada’s energy transition ahead of our 2030 and 2050 goals, and the challenges we must overcome to be successful. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

At the start of 2023, things were looking up for the province of Alberta. In fact, Alberta was experiencing one of the most dramatic fiscal turnarounds in history. At the same time, Albertans and Canadians were struggling with the rising cost of living, a challenge the Bank of Canada sought to address by hiking interest rates. Now, as we get near the end of the first quarter of 2023, how have those realities held? In this episode, BCAs Economist, Alicia Planincic, joins to discuss economic expectations for the remainder of the year, the latest GDP forecast for Canada, the outlook from Alberta’s business leaders and the economic lessons we can take from Alberta’s Budget 2023. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

When we think about the ways poverty presents itself, many of us are guilty of envisioning the visibly poor and unhoused. But the realities of poverty are a layered, complex experience, and one that casts a wide net on who fits the description. On this episode, we’re joined by Executive Directors Meaghon Reid of Vibrant Communities Calgary and Erick Ambtman of End Poverty Edmonton to discuss Alberta’s poverty landscape. We discuss the myths and realities around how poverty presents itself; paths into and out of poverty; the challenges of the rising cost of living for the most vulnerable communities; and address some tough questions within the poverty space. We also reflect on how poverty in Alberta has changed over the pandemic, the crippling cost of loneliness, and real solutions that we can adopt today to combat poverty one person at a time. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

The rise of globalization has given much to our world: we have been able to feed billions of people and lift millions out of poverty; try new foods from countries across continents and oceans; buy anything we could ever want at the click of a button and have it delivered within hours or days. But this system is vulnerable, and on the brink of collapse. On this episode, we are joined by author and renowned geopolitical strategist, Peter Zeihan, author of The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization. Peter takes us on a journey through the rise of globalization; why America is the heart and soul of the system; and why it is on the brink of collapse. We also discuss how demographics are changing around the world; how the devolution of globalization will affect regions around the world, including Alberta; and how Alberta can win in this new potential world. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

Alberta's opportunity to contribute to global solutions in agriculture, energy, and health is immense. Seizing this opportunity will take big ideas, lots of collaboration, and a little “can do” attitude. In the special series of The Brief, called Missions & Moonshots, we are talking to leading experts, business leaders, innovators, and thought leaders across Alberta and Canada exploring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in energy, agriculture, and health. Our guest is Brent Lakeman, Director of the Hydrogen Initiative at Edmonton Global, and he will be sharing his insights on Alberta's big opportunity in hydrogen including: the size of the hydrogen market globally why Alberta is the best place to produce and export hydrogen Alberta's progress in developing hydrogen and technologies key opportunities to scale hydrogen production in Alberta what is required to scale up the industry The full paper can be read here: http://bit.ly/3h5Lb0k About Brent Lakeman Brent has been leading clean energy initiatives within Alberta for over three decades. His knowledge of Alberta’s innovation ecosystem and experience in forging industry-government partnerships will help position the Edmonton Metropolitan Region as Canada’s preeminent net zero hydrogen hub. Brent runs, bikes, and skis on Edmonton’s extensive trail network in his free time. About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

It’s a new year, and that means we’re back with a fresh look at what is happening in the economy, both here in Alberta and Canada, but also around the world. Coming into 2023, things are a bit in flux: people are concerned about rising inflation, rising cost of living, the cost of healthcare, and a looming global economic slowdown. But despite these hardships, Alberta’s job market is hot, people are moving to Alberta, and wage growth is expected to accelerate.  In this episode, we're joined by BCA’s economics team, Mike Holden and Alicia Planincic, to discuss the latest economic update from the Business Council: what's going on in the labour force, consumer sentiment, potential for a global recession, and expectations for the coming year. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

2023 has just begun, but already there is much in flux within the province. Rising inflation and concerns around affordability plague many, and questions around healthcare and a looming global recession weigh heavily on the minds of Albertans. While Albertans are happy to leave the pandemic behind them, many Albertans are still looking to find their footing heading into 2023. To help illuminate some of these issues and provide insight into the key priorities of Albertans to start the year, we invited renowned Alberta pollster, Janet Brown from Janet Brown Opinion Research, to the show. In this episode, Janet helps us dig into the ideas and priorities of Albertans, check in on what’s keeping them up at night, and discuss expectations and implications for the upcoming provincial election in May. ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV

2022 brought us what can only be described as world-changing moments: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth the Second, overturning of Roe v Wade, protests in Iran. 2022 was also a big year for Alberta: we are experiencing the most dramatic fiscal turnaround in our history. Premier Danielle Smith was elected leader of the UCP and became the 19th Premier of Alberta. Albertans were really challenged with the rise in inflation. And much more. In this episode, BCA’s President Adam Legge reminisces and recaps the major stories of 2022, how Alberta’s economy has fared, the big challenges Albertans faced, and the major policy wins. We also provide a sneak peek into what we’re cooking up for 2023 and what is keeping us up at night as we turn the page on 2022.   ------------ About The Business Council of Alberta The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta’s largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home. Check out more of our recent work: https://bit.ly/3JG9ifS Check out recent episodes of AlbertaBETTER: https://bit.ly/3bHlfFB Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BPxDhv Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3P7pgB0 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qx6B2J LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QaetHE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QswqAV