Communities are the heart and soul of Alberta, but their prosperity and livability are slipping. Turning this around will take strong leadership and clear priorities from local leaders. Without it, we risk losing the very qualities that draw people here.
The message from Alberta business is clear: to thrive, we must get the basics right. Big projects may make headlines, but lasting success comes from safe, attractive communities, strong governance, and a focus on the core elements that help people and businesses succeed.
Overall, this report calls for a fundamental change in mindset: one that sees business as a partner in creating prosperity, and recognizes economic growth as essential to long-term success.
Strategic Pillars
BCA’s Task Force of business leaders from across the province came together with a shared goal: to identify the most pressing challenges facing local governments in Alberta and chart a path forward.
01
Safe & Vibrant
Communities
02
Efficient Growth &
Development
03
Economic Strength &
Financial Stewardship
01. Safe & Vibrant Communities
When main streets, downtowns, and public spaces are safe, clean, and vibrant, communities thrive. These are not “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential for attracting talent, supporting businesses, and building lasting prosperity.
Ensuring Safety and Well-Being
- Establish a standing safety table to regularly connect businesses, community partners, and residents to identify issues.
- Collaborate with businesses to identify barriers to reporting crime.
- Develop and implement local mental wellness and addictions strategies.
- Partner with provincial and federal governments to help deliver non-market housing and wraparound services.
- Improve public safety by increasing police and uniform presence and enforcement.
Strengthening Community Vibrancy
- Improve maintenance of downtown and public spaces by increasing cleaning frequency and responsiveness.
- Rural communities should encourage greater regional collaboration on shared infrastructure that supports wellness and enhances residents’ quality of life.
“Public safety directly impacts business success and community prosperity. In the hospitality industry, creating a safe, welcoming atmosphere is essential to our operations. Many of our team members work and commute during non-traditional hours, and too often they feel unsafe taking certain routes or using specific modes of transportation.
Our task force understands the complexity of this challenge and the range of public safety and community revitalization initiatives already underway. We want to work alongside community partners to help create safer, more vibrant spaces where people can live, work, and gather.”
-Mike Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer, The Canadian Brewhouse
02. Efficient Growth & Development
Local governments must plan and build for the future. Whether it’s housing, roads, or space for new businesses and facilities, how communities enable growth directly affects affordability and quality of life.
Streamlining Permitting and Approvals
- Collaborate with businesses to create a local red tape reduction plan.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing regulations.
- Develop an online business feedback portal.
- Benchmark timelines for permitting and approvals against comparable jurisdictions.
- Adopt technology to streamline planning and permitting.
- Align building code and permitting requirements with neighbouring and regional communities.
Building for the Future
- Reduce both direct and indirect government-imposed costs on new housing developments.
- Strengthen business engagement in long-term land use and infrastructure planning.
“Solving Canada’s housing crisis requires public administrations and private enterprise to work together. At Akash Homes, we want to be at the table with municipalities more often to share practical insights on building housing faster and more affordably. By working together, we can unlock opportunity, cut red tape and unnecessary costs, and create economic regions with long-term development plans and efficient regulatory systems that make municipalities prime locations to build and invest.”
-Dhruv Gupta, President, Akash Group of Companies
03. Economic Strength & Financial Stewardship
Strong leadership and sound fiscal management are essential to building prosperous communities. Local governments shape the foundation for growth—through the way they manage public finances, make investment decisions, and support long-term economic potential.
Enhancing Fiscal Sustainability and Growing the Tax Base
- Report annually on budget performance and broader success metrics.
- Conduct regular spending reviews to identify inefficiencies.
- Refocus local government funding on core priorities, including community safety.
- Benchmark local business and property taxes, along with other key fees, against comparable jurisdictions.
- Ensure a balanced tax system to support growth.
- Collaborate with municipalities to improve budget forecasting and planning.
Fostering Economic Growth
- Support new and returning mayors and councillors in deepening their understanding of governance and economic development.
- Enhance economic development capacity and make it a priority in municipal planning and budgeting.
“We work across Alberta and over the last 10 years have experienced project approval timeframes 2x to 5x longer — much of what appears to be 0.01% risk reductions to the municipality. Businesses are trying to expand and are taking 10% and 20% risks doing so. These businesses keep main street open, fund local social programs, support sports teams, provide local jobs — and pay about half of municipal taxes. Make it easier for your businesses to thrive and your community will thrive.”
-Murray Cunningham, President & Chief Executive Officer, Scott Builders Inc.
Strong communities are built on strong businesses.
When businesses succeed, everyone benefits. They create jobs, attract talent, support local charities and culture, and provide stable incomes—among the most effective tools to reduce poverty, prevent homelessness, and address social challenges. They also generate significant local revenues while demanding little from public services, helping sustain amenities from parks to emergency response.
But when businesses struggle or are neglected, communities decline. Jobs and services disappear, storefronts sit empty, tax dollars shrink, and people lose both opportunity and pride. Over time, those who can leave will, and towns risk losing the very economic engines that sustain them.
That’s why a thriving business sector is essential to the long-term health and prosperity of Alberta’s communities.
This October, Alberta’s local leaders have an opportunity to set a new course. Rather than responding to issues in isolation, they can embrace a framework for building strong, resilient communities—one rooted in fundamentals, shaped by business insight, and focused on long-term success.
This report offers that framework.
Podcast episode: Rethinking Local Leadership in Alberta
In this special episode of The Brief, Murray Cunningham, President & CEO of Scott Builders, and Michael (Mike) Brown, President & CEO of Trico Homes sit down to discuss BCA’s newest report, Municipal Matters, focusing on bold recommendations for the future of our cities, towns, and communities.
Together, Murray and Mike co-chair the Business Council of Alberta’s Task Force on Business Priorities for Alberta’s Local Governments, which developed the foundation for the report’s recommendations.
Task Force on Business Priorities for Alberta’s Local Governments
Murray Cunningham
President & CEO, Scott Builders Inc.
Mike Brown
President & CEO, Trico Homes Inc.
Colette Miller
Corporate Director
Cameron Naqvi
President, Cameron Development Corporation
Corey Smith
President & CEO, RAM Elevators and Lifts Inc.
Dhruv Gupta
President, Akash Group of Companies
Henry Edgar
President, Autograph
Jason Herle
CEO, Fountain Tire
Mike Wheeler
Chief Operating Officer, The Canadian Brewhouse
Rohit Gupta
President, Rohit Group
Rob Blackwell
Chief Operating Officer, Aspen Properties
Spencer Forgo
Vice President, Government Relations & Corporate Affairs
ATCO Ltd.