Advocacy

The Lloydminster Chamber is your Voice for Business. Backed by hundreds of local members, we advocate on the issues that matter most to your business and our community. By working alongside Chambers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Canada, we amplify that voice to create meaningful, positive change. Advocacy is at the heart of what we do – and one of the most important ways we support our members.

Advocacy Process

POLICY DIRECTION

Each year, members help shape the Chamber’s policy priorities. Local issues are presented tot he City of Lloydminster, provincial matters at the Alberta & Saskatchewan Chambers AGM, and federal concerns through the Canadian Chamber. Many of our resolutions have led to real legislative and policy changes.

THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

This committee scans the community to identify pressing business issues and develops formal policy resolutions. Whether municipal, provincial, or national, our voice is stronger when joined with other Chambers across Canada.

GET INVOLVED

Members are invited annually to take part in this important work. If you’d like to join the political Action Committee, contact the Chamber office at 780-875-9013.

OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Even if you can’t commit to a committee, your input still matters. Share your ideas with the Chamber office or join our annual Policy Roundtable to make your voice heard.

CHAMBER ACCREDITATION

The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the Chamber’s application for re-accreditation has passed the Council’s examination and the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce has been accredited for a period of three years from 2024-2026.

Active Policies

We champion local business through connection, collaboration, and advocacy. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, the Lloydminster Chamber is your springboard – supporting growth, sparking innovation, and strengthening our region’s economic heartbeat.

MUNICIPAL

Local Business Preference in Procurement and Purchasing Policy

Giving local businesses a fair shot at local contracts.

Lloydminster’s current procurement policy often awards contracts to non-local suppliers based solely on marginal price differences, overlooking the broader economic benefits of local sourcing. While the policy allows solicitation from local businesses for contracts under NWPTA thresholds, there’s no incentive—such as favoring bids within a 5% price range—to support the local economy. Introducing a formal local‑preference criterion could foster economic reinvestment, job growth, and stronger community engagement.

Public Infrastructure to Support Community Growth (Public Transportation)

A small bus program could make a big difference in how people get around.

With over 31,000 residents—including students, seniors, low-income individuals, and newcomers—Lloydminster lacks safe, reliable public transit despite similar-sized cities in Alberta and Saskatchewan having such systems. A pilot program using two to three used 24-passenger buses is proposed to fill this gap, supported by available federal grants and aligned with the city’s 2024 Transportation Master Plan. The Chamber recommends launching this initiative to evaluate feasibility and its impact on residents’ access to education and employment.

Reinstating and Expanding Air Service at Lloydminster Airport (CYLL)

Bringing back flights to connect Lloydminster with key cities and opportunities.

Lloydminster Airport currently lacks scheduled passenger service, despite previously operating nearly full-capacity flights to Calgary, which supported local business, connectivity, and regional development. A recent plan underscores the airport’s broad reach—serving up to 200,000 residents within a 150‑km radius—highlighting an untapped $44.3 million travel market that’s being missed. With 94% of surveyed community members expressing willingness to fly from CYLL and demand for diverse destinations like Edmonton, Vancouver, and Toronto, the Chamber advocates for reinstatement of service and infrastructure enhancements to revive connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

provincial

Saskatchewan Funding for Policing in Lloydminster

Currently Saskatchewan does not provide targeted funding for policing services in Lloydminster.

The City of Lloydminster straddles the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan with slightly over 30% of the population or 11,8431 people living in Saskatchewan.

The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce has a membership of 500 businesses with approximately one-third of the businesses located in Saskatchewan providing tax revenue to the province. In addition, the oil, gas, manufacturing, and agricultural industries in the Lloydminster region have provided royalties and revenues to the Saskatchewan government through times of economic prosperity and during the years of challenging times.

Fair and Equitable Funding for and Timely Implementation of Health Care

Services in Lloydminster

Fixing Funding Gaps and Delays in Lloydminster’s Health Care

Lloydminster, a city spanning Alberta and Saskatchewan, faces ongoing challenges due to inadequate and inequitable health care funding from both provinces despite its recognition as a bi-provincial health care service area. Current funding models fail to account for the full regional population, resulting in delayed implementation of essential services and limiting community growth. The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce is calling for both provincial governments to uphold existing agreements, correct funding disparities, and ensure accountable, timely health care delivery for the region.

PST on Lodging

Leveling the playing field for hotels on both sides of the city.

As a bi‑provincial city, Lloydminster faces a competitive imbalance: hotels on the Saskatchewan side must charge PST, whereas Alberta hotels do not, causing Saskatchewan businesses to lose bookings—especially from commercial and group clients. Although Saskatchewan offers some import exemptions, lodging remains excluded, placing Saskatchewan hotels at a disadvantage. The Chamber recommends that the Government of Saskatchewan extend the PST exemption to include lodging within Lloydminster to restore fair competition.

Access to Net Care in Alberta by Saskatchewan Clinics in Lloydminster

Renewed 2025

Helping doctors access the records they need—no matter what side of the border they’re on.

The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce is renewing advocacy in 2025 to ensure clinics on the Saskatchewan side of the border—and Saskatchewan‑licensed doctors treating Alberta patients—gain access to Alberta’s NET Care system. Currently, only the hospital has access, resulting in care delays, repeated tests, and potential patient safety risks. The Chamber calls on both provincial governments and health authorities to swiftly finalize the pending administrative implementation of Alberta Bill 46.

federal

Commercial Border Crossing Access – Renewal

Alberta Needs More Commercial Border Crossings to Match Trade Demand

Alberta, despite its strong trade relationship with the U.S., has only one Designated Commercial Office (DCO), limiting efficient cross-border trade compared to other provinces. This bottleneck restricts economic growth, creates congestion, and puts strain on key sectors like energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. To support increasing trade flows and economic development, the federal government must expand commercial border access, improve infrastructure, and align border operations with U.S. counterparts.