Business
Local business community frustrated with the economy, taxes and red tape
Chamber survey shows frustration with economy, taxes, and regulations
On September 6th, the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce published a survey asking about the state of business conditions in Central Alberta. Respondents were asked how their business is affected by government policy, crime, and the economy. Also included were questions regarding management of the city, and future expectations for economic growth.
Chamber CEO Rick More commented on the results, “we’re grateful to all those that took the time to complete the survey and share their insights. These results strongly verify what we’ve suspected and heard anecdotally from the business community. While the economy is clearly the largest impediment to business growth, the City of Red Deer must remain focused on allowing our businesses to be competitive and grow. We’ll continue to work with Council and the City Manager on solutions that allow the city to utilize the levers it has available to alleviate the financial and regulatory strain affecting the success of our business community and our ability to retain and attract new businesses.”
The overall state of the economy was identified as having the largest impact on businesses growth followed closely by red tape and regulations, taxation, and crime. Compared to one year ago, 74% said business conditions in Red Deer have gotten worse and looking ahead a year, only 15% are expecting business conditions to improve with 35% expecting them to remain about the same and 40% think they’ll get worse. Finally, when asked whether they expect their own business over the next 12 months 21% expect to grow, 58% think it’ll stay about the same and 20% think their business will contract.
The results strongly demonstrated frustrations with the cost and regulatory burden of doing business. 69% of respondents think businesses outside the City of Red Deer have a competitive advantage due to less regulatory burden and red tape and just 26% think that business permits are approved by the city in a timely fashion. On the topic of budgeting and taxation, 26% felt businesses within the city get good value for the property taxes they pay and 27% approve of how the city manages it’s budget.
For a full breakdown of survey results, see the infographic here.
The Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan, collaborative leader in building a vibrant community and fosters an environment where businesses can lead, be innovative, sustainable, and grow. Learn more about the Chamber here.
MxM News
Quick Hit:
Elon Musk made a dramatic appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, wielding a chromed-out chainsaw gifted by Argentina’s President Javier Milei. The prop symbolized Musk’s commitment to slashing bureaucratic red tape through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Key Details:
- Musk received the chainsaw from Milei before his sit-down interview at CPAC in Maryland.
- The chainsaw was engraved with Milei’s catchphrase, “Viva la libertad carajo!” which translates to “Long live freedom, Goddammit!”
- Musk brandished the chainsaw on stage, declaring it the “chainsaw for bureaucracy” to a cheering conservative crowd.
Diving Deeper:
Argentina’s President Javier Milei presented the symbolic chainsaw to Elon Musk ahead of his interview at CPAC, reinforcing their shared vision of reducing governmental influence. The chainsaw, emblazoned with Milei’s signature slogan, was meant to represent Musk’s mission with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut waste, fraud, and abuse within federal agencies.
Musk enthusiastically accepted the gift and held it aloft, declaring it the “chainsaw for bureaucracy.” The bold gesture was well-received by the conservative audience, with Musk adding a simple yet effective rallying cry: “Chainsaw!” The theatrics were in line with his commitment to DOGE’s mission of downsizing federal bureaucracy, drawing inspiration from Milei’s aggressive government-cutting measures in Argentina.
Milei’s fiscal conservatism has gained international attention, influencing Musk’s approach to DOGE. The Argentine president’s radical budget cuts and advocacy for limited government resonate with Musk’s goals for the United States. By symbolically passing the chainsaw to Musk, Milei reinforced a partnership rooted in economic freedom and governmental reform.
Musk later posted a photo of himself with the chainsaw on his social media platform, X, captioning it, “This is a real picture,” underscoring his commitment to his bureaucratic overhaul agenda. The image quickly went viral, amplifying the message of aggressive government reform.
The bold display at CPAC not only solidified Musk’s role as a disruptor within the political landscape but also strengthened the ideological bond between Musk and Milei, signaling an international alliance against government inefficiency.
Business
Federal Heritage Minister recommends nearly doubling CBC funding and reducing accountability
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling for the CBC to be completely defunded in the wake of the federal Liberal government’s recommendation to nearly double the state broadcaster’s cost to taxpayers and hide its budget reporting.
“It is outrageous for the government to try to hide the cost of the CBC from the taxpayers who are paying its bills,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “This government is totally out touch if it thinks it can nearly double CBC’s cost to taxpayers and try to hide its costs.”
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said the government should nearly double the amount of money the CBC takes from taxpayers every year.
The CBC will cost taxpayers about $1.4 billion this year.
“The average funding for public broadcasters in G7 countries is $62 per person, per year,” St-Onge said. “We need to aim closer to the middle ground, which is $62 per year per person.”
Canada’s population is about 41.5 million people. If the government funded the CBC the way the minister is recommending, the CBC would cost taxpayers about $2.5 billion per year.
That amount would cover the annual grocery bill of about 152,854 Canadian families.
St-Onge also recommended the annual taxpayer funding for the CBC be removed from the government budget report and instead be entrenched in government statutory appropriations.
“I propose that it be financed directly in the legislation instead of in the budget through statutory appropriation,” St-Onge said.
“Canadians have told this government that the CBC costs them too much money, that it is not accountable to taxpayers and they don’t watch it, and now the government wants to double down on all those problems,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director. “The CBC is an enormous waste of money and journalists should not be paid by the government.
“The CBC must be defunded.”
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