(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Searching for solutions

Business community searching for supply chain solutions

Jul 25, 2022 | 5:00 AM

The strain on supply chains continues to impact local economies in Saskatchewan.

A recent piece from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce focuses on potential partnership dialogue between the government and private sector, to find solutions to current struggles. One of the groups for this focus is the Chamber’s recently convened Food Supply Council.

Battlefords Chamber of Commerce CEO Linda Machniak said this will be key in helping solve all issues affecting the economy.

“There needs to be cooperation at all levels, because they all have regulation that impact business,” she said. “There are many sectors that could be impacted at various levels.

(Canadian Chamber of Commerce)

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In the latest quarterly report on Canadian business conditions, there are several concerning numbers, including 50 per cent of businesses expecting the rising costs of inputs to be an obstacle in the next three months. As a result, businesses affected in various supply chains are looking at new partners.

Machniak noted another number, which said 26 per cent of surveyed businesses from across each sector intend to substitute supplies with alternate inputs or supplies, which could bring unexpected results.

“Are the prices going to be the same, are you going to get the same quality of product,” she said. “So, it will be really interesting to see how that rolls out.

Another way businesses are trying to adjust to rely less on getting shipments of products and materials from overseas. The report states that 15 per cent of affected businesses are planning to shift to local suppliers.

While Machniak acknowledges this is a key shift moving forward in Canada, it’s a bit more difficult to accomplish in locations like the Battlefords, who don’t have the same industrial base as larger centres. Still, being able to do so would give some relief from supply chain shortages.

“If they’re shifting to local suppliers, even provincial and national, that could be a unique opportunity for businesses for sure,” Machniak said.

Of the sectors highlighted, food and agriculture were particularly noteworthy. Machniak said one thing the Chamber network has continued to stress to Ottawa is facilitating an environment to prioritize economic competitiveness.

“Regulatory work, modernization is paramount in creating a competitive environment for business owners,” she said.

The Canadian Chamber’s Western Executive Council has been particularly busy in meeting with industry leaders and high ranking members in the federal government, including a sit down earlier this month with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. One of the main topics discussed with the Minister was trade infrastructure to ensure the delivery of goods.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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