CHESTERMERE – For anyone not familiar with the function of a Chamber of Commerce, it is a group established to give voice to the businesses of any community.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s most influential business association, and establishes a vital connection between business and the federal government. It impacts public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families.
The Chestermere Chamber of Commerce (CCC) hopes to do the same, said local business owner and CCC president Robin Impey.
“The CCC will help businesses by providing exposure for local business, lobbying government, organizing workshops and networking,” said Impey, who owns Chestermere’s M&M Meat Shops. “These are just a few items that have been discussed so far.
“The board has only met once since it’s formation, and there’s still some work to do to get organized, and then we will begin working on some of these initiatives.”
Impey said that when he and his wife first opened M&M Meat Shops a year-and-a-half ago, he asked Mayor Patricia Matthews if there was a chamber of commerce in the community, as he was hoping to join.
“I found out that one didn’t exist, so I mentioned that if one was ever to start that I would be interested in helping,” he said. “Our mayor was supportive of having a chamber to support local businesses, and suggested that maybe I could get the ball rolling.
“At first I said no, as we had just opened the new store and had plenty to do, but as more conversations were had with the mayor and the economic development officer, we decided we should gauge if there was any interest, which there was.”
Impey said that through September and October, they met and talked with other local business members, which led to them deciding to proceed with forming the CCC.
The group currently consists mostly of the board, as they are not ready to invite additional members as of yet. It is made up by Impey (president), Greg Whitely of Asset Insurance Brokers (vice-president), Riz Jetha of Mo’s Liquor (treasurer), Mona Webset of Asset Insurance Brokers (secretary), Dr. Shannon Farnel of Optimum Wellness Centre, Dr. Bikramjit Singh Sahi of Fauna Animal Hospital, Marjorie McKay of Remax and Darren McCagherty of Scotiabank.
“I think may residents look forward to the day when all of the services they desire are in Chestermere, and they are no longer required to drive to Strathmore or Calgary,” Impey said.
“The CCC, along with the Town of Chestermere, will help existing businesses grow stronger, and will help attract new businesses to the community.
“We’re looking forward to being an integral part of the town of Chestermere.”
Anyone interested in the Chestermere Chamber of Commerce can e-mail them at
HYPERLINK “mailto:chestermerechamber@googlegroups.com”chestermerechamber@googlegroups.com.
