Premier Jason Kenney and the UCP caucus will meet with local chamber members on February 10 in Grande Prairie (Canadian Press File Photo)

By Shaun Penner

UCP Visit GP

Local Chamber to host Premier Kenney, caucus in Grande Prairie

Jan 30, 2020 | 12:37 PM

The Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce is eager for their opportunity to share their concerns and priorities with the provincial government, as Premier Jason Kenney will be bringing his caucus to the Swan City on February 10 to meet with the local chamber

In a rare trip to Grande Prairie for the entire governing party’s caucus, Kenney, his cabinet ministers and MLAs will sit down for a networking and information event to discuss concerns and priorities for local businesses.

Chamber Chair Larry Gibson says the Chamber has been working on organizing a meeting, either here in Grande Prairie or in Edmonton since the United Conservatives were elected back in the spring of 2019.

“We’ve planted the seeds, but in the end, they took it upon themselves to come up and get out of their comfort zones of Edmonton and Calgary and come out to our smaller communities,” said Gibson. “We’re very pleased they did that.”

Gibson also spoke about the importance of the provincial government coming to gain local perspective in a firsthand way.

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“We have a thriving community up here, we’re innovative in our businesses and trying to find those efficiencies,” said Gibson. “Coming out here and giving our local businesses and members of the community a bit of an opportunity to chat with them firsthand and build those relationships, and start giving their perspective on the area, some of the challenges they are having and opportunities that they see as well is incredible.”

Gibson expects the continued push for the twinning of Highway 40 to be at the top of most member’s agendas ahead of the meeting. Some other key topics Gibson expects to be addressed include the struggles in local agriculture, transportation, as well as recruitment challenges some local businesses have faced.

“With our economy the way it is, you would think we would be able to attract labour into the area. But we hear from quite a few of our businesses that it’s hard to attract qualified individuals, especially some of the trades areas.”

The event is exclusive for Chamber members only and goes at the Royal Canadian Legion from 2:15 to 4 p.m. that day.

Those interested need to register as space is limited. The Chamber asks that member businesses only send two individuals to the meeting.

The full itinerary for the Premier’s visit to the Swan City has not been released.