The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce is taking a stand on issues ranging from hogs to health.

The Chamber announced on Friday that its board of directors has adopted nine policy positions, four of which relate to agriculture.

One urges the provincial and federal governments to oppose the protectionist aspects of United States country-of-origin-labelling (COOL) legislation. Another calls for regulatory changes that would promote equity market investment in farmland to help producers grow their operations.

In the case of the hog industry, the Chamber is seeking a number of federal and provincial reforms to support long-term sustainability. And it’s continuing to press for the elimination of the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly powers with respect to the marketing of Western Canadian wheat and barley.

In another policy position, the Chamber is pressing the province to encourage development of technologies that minimize the environmental impact of energy production and consumption, and to promote the use of renewable sources of energy. It also wants the Alberta government to adopt a “zero waste” strategy that would reduce waste materials and seek uses for those that remain.

The federal government should encourage Canadians to save by “refining and redefining” registered savings plans like registered retirement savings plans, the Chamber says in another policy position. It also wants changes to the Canada Health Act and a review of alternate funding and delivery models for health care.

Finally, the Chamber thinks the province should provide small- and medium-sized businesses with training and support related to requirements under the national Agreement on Internal Trade and the B.C.-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement.

Danielle Klooster, the Chamber’s manager of policy, advocacy and communications, said the policy positions were developed by standing committees and discussed at a general member forum before going to the board. Two were rejected and another referred back to its committee for revision.

“They probably will adopt that policy when it comes back,” said Klooster, adding that this 10th policy relates to investment advisers qualifying for professional corporation status.

The policies adopted will be presented as resolutions for consideration at the upcoming Alberta Chambers of Commerce and/or the Canadian Chamber of Commerce annual general meetings and policy conferences.

They will also be publicized locally and raised with representatives from all three levels of government, said Klooster. Sometimes, Chamber policies are presented directly to the provincial and federal governments, and shared with other chambers, she added.

Several of the newly adopted policy positions are updates of previous policy, said Klooster. But the number of issues being taken on by the Chamber this year is exceptionally high.

“The interest in policy and the momentum to generate policy and be a leader in policy development certainly is something that’s been building at the Red Deer Chamber over the last number of years,” she said.

Chamber policy committees, which were struck several years ago, are hitting their stride, said Klooster, and the economic slowdown may have allowed some committee members to devote more time to the process.

There have also been a number of issues arise that deserve consideration, she said.

“I think people just have an interest in making sure that the voice of business is heard in all the change and transition that’s happening.”

hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com