Associations
FROM: MAR-APR 2006 ISSUE
Alberta's 20/20 Vision
These days, the sentiment of uncertainty seems to be prevalent in all orders of government. There's the uncertainty on Parliament Hill as our nation elected its second minority government in a row. And while Alberta's economy is booming, the province faces the uncertainty of not having a plan for its non-renewable resource wealth.
By drilling a little further, it becomes evident that Alberta's municipal governments, like many across Canada, are faced with the uncertainty of not having a sustainable revenue stream to address their fiscal challenges. In all this disorder, one thing becomes apparent — there is a clear disconnect between some provincial governments and the municipalities within their jurisdictions.
This disconnect was highlighted in phase two of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and CGA Alberta's Vision 2020 research series titled Population and Fiscal Stresses in Alberta Municipalities. Vision 2020 is a broad-based research project aimed at understanding Alberta's and Canada's social and economic policy options. To gain better insight into what those options might look like, the research identifies the trends that will form the foundation for the future.
The report outlines demographic changes, under-funding of infrastructure, and large decreases in federal and provincial transfers in the 1990s as contributors to today's municipal unsustainability.
Among the recommendations of the report, it calls on the post-debt provincial government to create a sustainable revenue stream for municipalities — hence no new taxes.
Strong communities and a strong Alberta benefit the entire nation. Stay tuned for the next report, focusing on savings, to be released later this spring. The Alberta Vision 2020 series is accessible at www.albertavision2020.ca.
Ken Kobly, FCGA, is the CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. He served on the municipal council of the Town of Beaumont, Alberta, from 1984-1995 and 1998-2004, serving two terms as a councillor and four terms as Mayor.
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P.E.I.'s Future Focus
CGA-PEI is capitalizing on the proclamation earlier this year of the province's Public Accounting and Auditing Act to move the Association into the future, says the new president for 2005-06.
"We recently were granted public practice rights through provincial legislation, and we have placed a lot of emphasis on ensuring our by-laws, guidelines, and policies are revised and updated," says Paula Gallant, CGA.
Gallant and her colleagues also want to focus on providing members with more professional development opportunities, and to revisit the Association's strategic plan to ensure it is on track for the future.
Gallant, who holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Mount Allison University, has for the past 15 years worked for the Canada Revenue Agency, both in Halifax and in Charlottetown. She credits her family for her decision to become an accountant.
"My mother was a bookkeeper for most of her career. When she finished high school, even though she had received an award to go to university, she was not encouraged to do so because she was a woman, as was common for her generation. My own mother and father encouraged me to continue my education and get a degree."
After volunteering to sit on the Marketing Committee at her first AGM in 2000, Gallant was quickly drawn into greater service to the Association. At the 2003 AGM, she was named vice-president of CGA-PEI, and she is currently chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, as well as a member of the Marketing, Member Services, and Education committees. At the national level, she has served as the Maritime Region representative and a National Education Committee representative for CGA-Canada.
"My reason for getting involved is directly related to the way I was brought up," says Gallant. "My parents taught us that we need to be part of our communities, our unions, and our associations. Without involvement of many people, things will not get done...I need to do my part."
Gallant and her husband, Todd, have been married for 16 years, and have two sons: Paul, 12, and nine-year-old Matthew. The family has lived in Cornwall, P.E.I., since 1992. When she has spare time, Gallant dazzles family and friends with her home renovation projects, a hobby she says she has a natural talent for.
Serving with Gallant on the CGA-PEI executive are Sherry Spence, CGA, vice-president; Jason Macdonald, CGA, secretary; Evelyn Younker, CGA, treasurer; and Derek Huestis, past president.
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The Pride of Manitoba
Arlene Egnell, FCGA, the president of CGA Manitoba for 2005-06, is excited about the year ahead, and wants CGAs to become involved in the Association's new marketing campaign. "I believe that every member should assume a leadership role and they should do so with pride," says Egnell.
Egnell is the senior manager of Central Distribution Accounting for Loblaw Companies Ltd., with her department responsible for the accounting for distribution facilities from coast to coast.
A CGA since 1994, Egnell became involved with the Association because she was proud of what she had accomplished and didn't want her involvement with the Association to end with attaining the designation.
Egnell was first nominated to the CGA Manitoba Board of Governors in 1999, where she served as chair of the Industry/Commerce committee. In 2002 she was nominated to the Executive committee, and she has also sat on the Education, Finance/Audit, Planning, Professional Affairs, and Public Affairs committees. She was named an FCGA in 2005.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, the city she and her family still call home, Egnell says when she's not working, she enjoys golfing and working on her house. "I'm an avid Winnipeg Blue Bombers football fan and have had season's tickets for more than 10 years," she says. She also raises money for the MS Society each year by participating in the MS Super Cities Walk, and this past spring was the top fundraiser for the St.Vital Park walk, raising $3,000.
Serving with Egnell on the CGA Manitoba board are Stephen Rosenfield, B.Comm. (Hons.), FCGA, first vice-president; Ray Tetrault, B.Comm. (Hons.), FCGA, second vice-president; Deborah Mortimer, B. Comm. (Hons.), M. Acct, CGA, treasurer; Len Hampson, FCGA, secretary; and Michael Geiger-Wolfe, MBA, FCGA, past president.
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