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 401 participants completed the survey through this approach. As part of the survey, those affected by crime or had undertaken a renovation or expansion project were also asked to complete a few additional questions related to these issues.
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
-
Use the findings to broaden and deepen the evidence the ACC and local chambers can bring forward to articulate the perspectives of the province’s business community;
-
To reinforce ongoing advocacy efforts by undertaking regular province-wide efforts to gather, prioritize, and articulate perspectives of the business community on core economic and policy issues of relevance to municipal and provincial government leaders; and
-
Make the research available to individual Chambers for their own use with local municipalities.
Key Findings
-
Seven-in-ten businesses report being affected by some type of crime in the past 12 months.
-
This year 24% of businesses report undertaking a renovation or expansion project that required a permit.
-
Cost of utilities (44%), business attraction and retention (40%), and business taxes (38%) are cited as the top priorities for candidates in
the 2025 Alberta municipal elections.
- Four-in-ten businesses report there have been increases for municipal franchise fees on electricity (42%) and natural gas (40%).
- The Net Promoter Score for recommending their municipality remains low (-41) and well below the -32 recorded in 2019 (prior to COVID-19).
- Contact by elected officials continued to decline in 2024, but, businesses report more contact with government agencies.