(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Chamber Names Interim Chair

P.A. Chamber of Commerce names interim chair

Sep 22, 2021 | 12:03 PM

A new individual will be temporarily taking the helm for the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

The business advocacy organization held their annual general meeting on Tuesday where they named Phil Hounjet as interim chair.

He’s been a part of the board for a couple of years now, serving as treasurer.

Hounjet said he wasn’t expecting to be in this position; however, he is still prepared, nonetheless.

“It was a role I was expected to be in at some point, just fast-tracked a little bit. It was something I was prepared to be a part of.”

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Early on, the board will be focusing on the new federal government.

Justin Trudeau will remain Prime Minister after the Liberal Party was able to secure a third term with a second-straight minority government through Monday’s election.

Randy Hoback was re-elected for a fifth term as Prince Albert’s Member of Parliament.

“We will see what kind of policies are going to come out from the government that will affect the local businesses and will work with them as they come about,” Hounjet said.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous Liberal government brought in different programs, services, and loans to help small businesses weather the storm.

This included the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, loans for millions of dollars, and direct support to different industries.

Despite this, Hounjet said the chamber continues to hear about many of the same problems.

“It could be supply chain issues, sourcing products on time, and even the costs going up. Depending on whether it’s retail, restaurant manufacturing, even agriculture… we’ve had a drought so that’s going to impact people as well.”

One of the more common issues is labour, however, Hounjet notes they haven’t heard about too many businesses struggling to fill positions.

“A little bit of talk. It’s making headlines in other areas.”

According to Statistics Canada, Prince Albert and Northern Saskatchewan have added around 4,500 jobs in the past four months.

After losing more than 8,000 positions in the first few months of the pandemic, the area is at its highest total of employed individuals since January 2020.

Hounjet also stated there have been some rumblings of different organizations and businesses trying to hire back employees, though, at this time nothing has been announced.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow