The Research
Methodology
The research was conducted through the Alberta Perspectives platform, where the ACC distributed an online survey invitation to all member chambers across the province and additional non-chamber member businesses. A total of 513 participants completed the survey, with 205 providing further responses on supply chain issues. Additionally, an online panel of 800 public members in Alberta participated in return for an incentive.
The research period for businesses ran from May 22nd to June 18th, 2024, and for the public from June 13th to 20th, 2024.
Purpose of the research
- Broaden and deepen the evidence the ACC and local chambers can bring forward to articulate the perspectives of the province’s business community
- Compare and contrast the viewpoints of the public and business communities
- Make the research available to individual chambers for their own use with local municipalities
Key Findings
- Positive attitudes about the province’s long term future increased in 2024 among both business
and the public. - The public and business continue to be aligned in that the health care system is the most important issue to deal with.
- Perceptions regarding Alberta’s finances continue to be positive with 85% of businesses and 74% of the public describing the province’s financial situation as ‘excellent/good/fair’.
- There is continued support for extracting as much oil and gas as possible in order to realize the economic benefits, as opposed to reducing oil and gas extraction.
- With an increase in 2024, reducing the regulatory burden on business (55%) is now the top priority of businesses, while nearly half (46%) also emphasize the importance of tax reductions.
- Among the public, 54% rate reducing taxes as their foremost concern, reaching the highest level since surveys began.
- While supply chain disruption is lessening, half (54%) of businesses continue to report this
issue is still impacting their business. - Businesses believe that the Alberta business community (49%) is the most likely to contribute to emerging new businesses that can grow Alberta’s economy.