Through the use of news releases, news conferences and presentations to all levels of government, the Chamber acts as your representative for constructive change.  The Political Action committee is responsible for community scans to determine what the most pressing issues are facing businesses in Lloydminster and then bringing those issues to the table for discussion and possible action in the form of a formal policy resolution. The issues might be municipal, provincial or national in nature. Our Chamber has been quite successful when our voice is joined with other Chambers across the provinces and the nation in having governments listen to our suggestions and recommendatons. If you are a member but do not have time to work on a committee, you can still make your voice heard by calling the Chamber office.

Policy Development Round Table

The advocacy work that the Chamber does on behalf of it’s members is some of the most important work that the Chamber does. Each year, members are invited to participate with the board of directors to determine the policy direction for the year. Local resolutions are taken to the City of Lloydminster, Provincial Issues are presented at the Alberta & Saskatchewan Chambers AGM in May and federal issues are presented through the Canadian Chamber in September. The Lloydminster Chamber has authored and taken forward many policy resolutions that have seen changes made in legislation or actions at all levels of government.

Annually you are invited to participate in this important work of your Chamber to consider what policies issues we will work on for the next year.  If you are interested in the Political Action Committee call the Chamber office at 780-875-9013.

• Chamber begins policy discussions & Community leaders meet in Edmonton - Lloydminster Source Article Jan 22, 2012
• Chamber takes on border issues - Meridian Booster Article January 22, 2012
• POLICY DEVELOPMENT ROUND TABLE WELL ATTENDED JANUARY 17, 2012
• Meeting held with Alberta Deputy Ministers and the Chamber lead Lloydminster Community Leaders Jan 18, 2012
• Lloydminster Political Action Committee Selected Issues for 2010 & 2011 - New Policies sponsored by Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce on International and Intergovernmental Relations - (The Proposals, Recommendations and Resolutions)

This, PAC Selected Issues Report, includes the following:

• Enforcement of Restricted (Blue Zone) Parking Bylaw
• The Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor Alliance
• Enhance domestic markets and recapture closed international markets for agricultural products
• Creating a Safer Community
• Improvements to the Lloydminster Airport
• Access to Primary Health Care
• LABOUR FORCE ENHANCEMENT AND QUALITY PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMMES

• Polices Presented at the 2011 Saskatchewan and Alberta Chambers AGM and Policy Sessions
  Pat Tenney attends the Saskatchewan & Alberta Policy Session Conferences in May 2011
• CHAMBER EXECUTIVE BLOG - DECEMBER 15, 2010 - ABOUT THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE DIRECTORS, THEIR DUTIES AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Polices Presented at the 2010 Canadian Chambers AGM and Policy Session.

  Policy presented by Pat Tenney at the Canadian Chambers of Commerce Policy Session and AGM in Gatineau, Quebec.

  News Release from Grain News about the 2010 Canadian Chambers of Commerce Resolutions

• Policies Presented at the Alberta Chambers AGM May 2010

  Policy Resolutions Presented by Pat Tenney at the Alberta Chamber Conference

• Annual Policy Session February 13 - Three Resolutions Adopted

• Enhanced Domestic Markets for Agricultural Products
• Enforcement of Restricted Parking Bylaw
• Continuing Membership in Ports to Plains Alliance

• Another resolution was given to the Chamber to facilitate and that was:

A vision for downtown development & revitalization.  The Chamber was given the task of coordinating the City of Lloydminster, Streetscapes and Communities in Bloom to develop a vision for the downtown.

• News Article - How does the Lloydminster Chamber Political Action Committee affect change?

  The Lloydminster Chamber holds a policy development roundtable each year to hear from members about what the issues are that are affecting business in our community. In addition, Chamber board members have their ear to the ground and are interested to hear from members and non-members alike about any concerns you may have.
  Read the complete article.

• Policy Development Roundtable held on December 1, 2009

  Read the items discussed

• Chamber Policy Session Resolutions 2009

  The Lloydminster Chamber held their Policy Session on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 Community Services Centre, Workshop Room.
  

  Resolutions that were adopted are as follows:

  ADOPTED
  Dedicated position to coordinate Block Parents, Citizens on Patrol and Neighborhood Watch as well as adding in to the resolution the need for a universal dial out service to alert the community about committed and potential crimes.

  ADOPTED
  Sidewalk policy that calls on the City of Lloydminster to design and construct sidewalks along highway 17 south of Highway 16 as well as ensuring a review of all major roadways and identifying other thoroughfares that should be upgraded to provide for pedestrian traffic.

  ADOPTED
  Speed photo radar enforcement that calls on the Saskatchewan Government to change their legislation so that municipalities can adopt programs for speed enforcement by photo radar.

  ADOPTED
  Hospital Study Endorsement Policy. This resolution would be presented to both Alberta & Sask Governments to show the Chamber’s support for the Functional Planning Study conducted in 2006 and asking the MLA’s to represent Lloydminster in a way that funding would be forthcoming in a timely manner.
  

  ADOPTED
  Businesses in Lloydminster want to provide suitable parking spaces for persons with disabilities.
  Resolution: The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce recommends that the City of Lloydminster make the following changes at their earliest council date: 1) That the identified parking bylaw be amended to state that the penalty to violators will be no less than $250.00 and no more than $350.00. 2) New signage to be posted to reflect the ‘penalty’ to violators who park in a restricted zone without having a properly displayed and visible permit. These signs must be visible to the public eye in all weather. 3) The City administration will notify the public and business community of the change by direct letter and / or media campaign and /or any other method that will reach the most people. 4) The bylaw to be reviewed after a five year time frame and council members consider a higher deterrent fine depending on the violation trend.

  THIS RESOLUTION WAS REFERED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER REVIEW
  Sask Food Inspection Policy that calls for the Saskatchewan Government to ensure proper and safe food inspection regulations are in place.

• 2009 Goals set by the Policial Action Committee and board approved:

  The Chamber Political Action committee will:

  1. Build relationships with County and RM’s.
  2. Help to let the community know about the positive work being done by the City.
  3. Continue to become fully informed and encourage our members to become informed about nuclear energy.
  4. Continue to seek information about our communities input to the North Sask River Watershed Alliance.
  5. Continue to encourage the City to develop a plan for public transportation.
  6. Provide some educational workshops on “Thriving in Lean Times”.
  7. Promote our community and provide alternative positive messaging to the doom and gloom messaging about the economy.
     
  8. Work with the RCMP towards a safer community.
  9. Provide to our members and the community information about the important work that the Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee does.
  10. Work with our MLA & the Saskatchewan Government towards the goal of getting them more involved and invested in the Lloydminster community.

"Our collective voice speaks louder than one." - Ross Ulmer