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Presentation to the Critical Transmission Review
Committee
Richard Truscott Director of Provincial Affairs, Alberta
January 11, 2012
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About CFIB: Non-partisan, not-for-profit political advocacy
organization Founded in 1971 108,000 independently owned and operated
business members across Canada, including 10,000 in Alberta
Every sector of the economy, every region of the country
Lobby federal, provincial, and municipal governments on behalf of members
www.cfib.ca
What makes CFIB unique?
Meet with hundreds of small business owners in-person each and every month
Research-based organization; dozens of member surveys each year
1 member = 1 vote We don’t take a position on a major new policy
unless we first consult our members In addition to lobbying work, we provide
business counselling services, and access to member-only “privilege programs”
www.cfib.ca
Small biz is backbone of economy
More than 98% of all businesses are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
SMEs employ more than 60% of all Canadians and produce almost half of economic output (GDP
99% of small business owners say they contribute to local charitable or community causes
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Heart & soul of our communities
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Heart & soul of our communities
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CFIB’s Business Barometer™
Small biz confidence remains relatively strong in Alberta
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Cost pressures for small businessEnergy/fuel is one of the main cost pressures for small business
Taxes, regulation
Insurance
Occupancy
Capital equipment, technology
Product inputs
Foreign currencies
Banking
Borrowing
Wages
Fuel, energy
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
54%
43%
34%
21%
23%
9%
40%
19%
56%
51%
Source: CFIB Monthly Business Barometer, Alberta data
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Concern about energy/fuel costs
9Mar
-09
May
-09
Jul-0
9
Sep-
09
Nov-0
9
Jan-
10
Mar
-10
May
-10
Jul-1
0
Sep-
10
Nov-1
0
Jan-
11
Mar
-11
May
-11
Jul-1
1
Sep-
11
Nov-1
10
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Percentage of small businesses identifying energy/fuel as a main cost pressure
Source: CFIB Monthly Business Barometer, Alberta data
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Response to Request for Info
Request #1: Reasonableness of the AESO load and generation
forecast for the north-south reinforcement
Ability of the north-south transmission reinforcement plan to serve existing and new generators and load
Response: Not in a position to properly assess
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Response to Request for Info
Request #2: Reasonableness of the use of HVDC technology for
the north-south transmission reinforcement
Response: Not in a position to properly assess
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Response to Request for Info
Request #3: Reasonableness of the timing of both north-south
transmission lines
Response: Not in a position to properly assess
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Response to Request for Info
Request #4: Recommendations for any proposed changes to the
cabinet powers and the north-south critical transmission projects detailed in the Electric Statutes Amendment Act
Response: Return to an independent regulatory process for all
electricity transmission projects
Develop better estimates of the cost/impact of all proposed projects on small and medium-sized businesses
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