Calgary’s Progressive Group for Independent Business exemplifies strong community standards

The Progressive Group for Independent Business is a small business advocacy organization known for its staunch support for less government, lower taxes and fiscal accountability. With support from hundreds of local businesses, PGIB has recently embarked on a campaign to help those in need, garnering little mainstream attention amidst the ongoing pandemic.

“The Progressive Group for Independent Business, PGIB has been operating in Calgary for the last twenty-five years,” says its Communications Director, Austin Caron. “In that time, we’ve helped thousands grow their businesses, engaged in philanthropy to inspire togetherness, and elect strong Conservatives at every level of government that keep Alberta and her interests protected.” 

Detractors have argued that its Take Back City Hall initiative is equivalent to a slate, a claim which Caron rejects in its entirety. “First off, Take Back City Hall is not a slate,” says Caron. “I can’t stress that point enough.” 

“Take Back City Hall is a project of PGIB with the singular goal of getting those who have signed not only the backs of paychecks but the front of them elected. We need to get our fiscal house in order and more than anything that means getting people with the real world, and more so business experience into City Hall. To that end, our intention isn’t to run a slate but to endorse candidates in each ward who pass the extremely high bar set by our executive council.”

With the backing of several city councillors, Peter Demong, the councillor for Ward 14, took this time to set the record straight. “Any organization that puts forward the concept of small business, and advocates for small business is always going to be good in my books.”

He continues, “PGIB is important to the Calgary business community because of its networking opportunities and social media presence. There’s only so much social media that a small business can manage to put forward on their own. When you are part of a business support group, one’s ability to market their business increases significantly.”

With the pandemic set to peak by mid-May, according to probable government projections, PGIB has not let that deter the organization from making a difference across Calgary, earning praise from Demong.

“Small businesses have always strived on being able to support and be supported by their local community. When an organization like PGIB can reinforce that by making grocery deliveries and provide other services as strong, community stewards, that does nothing but expand their brand and help local small businesses.”

With prior entrepreneurial experience as a florist, Demong relayed support for and urged support for those struggling to keep their doors open.

“As we come out of this pandemic, I believe there will be a large, pent up demand for products and services that our small businesses provide,” says Demong.

“I realize what it takes for a small business to hang on through two to three months of disastrous fiscal conditions. I’ve gone through a couple of recessions, myself, but those that do manage to hang on generally thrive and get stronger.”

“I had to look at my costs and cut them to the bone as much as possible. Cutting unnecessary expenditures, where required, while increasing sales is no small feat.”

In a statement from PGIB’s Executive Director, Craig Chandler, he writes:

“We need to stop the rhetoric, stop the panic, stop living in fear and look at the situation and address it differently because what we’re going to have is a major economic crisis. We’re starting to see that families and businesses are unable to put food on the table and keep their doors open. We promise to help the families that can’t work through our campaign and to encourage those who can continue working to do so.”