Roger Geisinger, AMBA Executive Director

Well, we certainly live in interesting times! Just when COVID numbers were trending down along with hospitalizations, ICU patient numbers and the arrival of vaccines, a curve ball arrives in the new variants and numbers start to spike. In spite of the pathetic efforts of our federal government, Alberta is about 15% vaccinated and the arrival of new vaccines is supposed to spike. On the plus side, we are seeing positive numbers being forecast on economic growth. With the largesse of the federal government, Canadians have the highest level of savings in some time. Who thought paying 15- 17 year-olds living at home $10,000 in CERB was a good idea?

We are not far off from seeing an unprecedented demand for consumer goods as people start spending. Have you tried picking up recreation equipment these days? The result will be that certain companies will be expanding and should provide a demand in new retail and warehouse facilities. There has been talk of a "Roaring 20's" type bounce back. The federal government still has unspent billions destined for infrastructure building. Higher energy prices have the resource sector increasing their spending this year. Hard to believe but some companies are already experiencing difficulties hiring staff!

As difficult as the past year has been, we should see a significant recovery this year. All companies have had to tighten their belts and many have had to do major layoffs. Is your company ready to adjust to our economic rebound? What effect will inflation have this year? Will manpower be hard to find this year? No doubt we are still in for many potential speed bumps and challenges in the next year but there certainly is room for optimism!