Your Weekly Tune Up
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) provided guidance on COVID-19
OH&S recently provided guidance that employers are required to treat COVID-19 as a workplace hazard. Similar to other workplace hazards, employers are obligated to “eliminate a hazard wherever possible”. The guidance from OH&S identifies vaccinations as an effective control of the hazard and a first choice in addressing the hazard. If vaccinations are not used as a control, employers must implement other controls such as a combination of alternative work arrangements, physical barriers, enhanced ventilation, physical distancing and use of PPE.
Full vaccination required for Restrictions Exemption Program starting October 25
Anyone accessing a business, venue and service participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program will need to provide government-issued proof of having received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days earlier. Those who are not fully vaccinated can still choose to provide a privately paid negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours or valid proof of medical exemption. Read more. Find out more:
Official Senate and referendum results update
Municipalities are required to report their Senate nominee and referendum election results to Elections Alberta by Oct. 25. Elections Alberta will then publish the official provincial results at 11 a.m. on Oct. 26.
Public inquiry into anti-Alberta energy campaigns final report
An independent commissioner was appointed to lead a public inquiry into the foreign-funded campaigns targeting Alberta's oil industry. The government has accepted the commissioner’s recommendations and continues to work on a number of wide-ranging initiatives that align with the commissioner’s recommendations. Read the key finding.
Quick Check Up
Federal COVID-19 business supports update
The government is proposing the following changes to business support programs:
- Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022 and increase the subsidy rate to 50 percent.
- Deliver targeted support to businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges. Support would be available through two streams:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
- Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program
The government is also proposing to:
- Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7, 2022, and increase the maximum duration of benefits by 2 weeks.
- Establish the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit which would provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers should they be unable to work due to a local lockdown anytime between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
Using Canada’s COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel
The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination provides Canadian residents with a reliable way to demonstrate that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 when travelling within and outside Canada. You can find information about this, along with the SMART Health Card, ArriveCan and acceptance of mixed doses online.
Fuelling Our Business Community
Congratulations to our Elected Council Members
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber extends our congratulations to all our newly elected council members in Medicine Hat, Cypress County and the Town of Redcliff.
We look forward to working with each of our Councils in the upcoming term.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to every candidate who put their name forward to run in this year's election, as we know running for office is no easy task and we are grateful so many individuals expressed their passion, dedication and commitment to this community by choosing to run for office.
Thank you to the previous council members for all the hard work and dedication that they provided to the City of Medicine Hat over the previous years. The efforts further developed our municipality; and enhanced the City economically and structurally positioning us for the future ahead. We want to wish the best of luck to all council members that are moving on to their next journey!
We also extend our thanks to CHAT TV and Pattison Media for the opportunity to participate in the live election coverage on Monday, October 18th and to showcase the opportunities that exist for good governance and community leadership.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2021 Chamber Business Award WINNERS!
After a rigorous nomination process, our nominees have been finalized.
This event was held during National Small Business Week, which runs from October 17 – 23. The annual awards provide an opportunity for Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta to recognize the outstanding achievements of our business community. After a rigorous nomination process, our nominees have been finalized.
A total of 14 awards, including the prestigious Award of Excellence, were presented at the 21st annual Business Awards on October 22nd.
The local Chamber aligns many of the categories with the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, so that local nominees can then be submitted by the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce for recognition at this prestigious provincial awards ceremony.
The Power of Community
See the Best of Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat was recently featured in AMA's Member Services newsletter, featuring our amazing community nestled amongst prairie coulees along the South Saskatchewan River, describing us as rich in both resources and history. They highlighted our industrial heritage, sunny weather and vibrant café culture. They also featured our neighbouring community and Etzikom’s Canadian National Historic Windmill Cente, profiling the ghostly windmills of Etzikom if you're looking for somewhere to go in our region for halloween.
Enriching Your Business
Got a Handle on 2021’s Peak (Shipping) Season?
With online shopping growing at an exponential rate, the peak season is now upon us! Typically, peak season is the period between early August and mid-December. During this time, manufacturers are preparing their products for back-to-school, the holiday rush and everything in between. The sudden uptick in demand for freight services causes pressure across the entire supply chain as a result.
The high-demand, low-supply nature of peak season means that you need to account for longer than standard shipping times. Recent news reports indicate that this peak season will like no other. Our Shipping partner, Freightcom can help you get your head around what you can do to prepare for this year’s version of peak season.
Want to find out more about how you can save on your shipping costs through the Medicine Hat & District Chamber? Click here.
New programs! Micro-credentials are now part of the program mix at Medicine Hat College (MHC), providing learners quick, flexible and quality-assured courses that will help accelerate their career and respond to industry needs. Newly launched micro-credentials include Tourism and Hospitality Management and Permaculture Design. In early 2022, Rainwater Harvesting and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Advanced Pilot Training will also be available. Read more…
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Student Work Placement Funding
You could get up to $7,500 in funding for a student hire. Winter 2022 (Jan - Apr) applications are now open through Technation and you can still apply for the fall work term through our Work Integrated Learning portal with Magnet.
Funding that helps your company grow into global markets
Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. We cover up to 50% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales. Deadline to apply is October 29, 2021.
Advocacy in Action
Business Association Consultation with Minister Schweitzer
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, along with other Chambers and industry associations from across Alberta met with Minister Schweitzer, Associate Minister Long, as well as other Government officials on October 21st. We were able to ask some key questions we have been receiving about the Restriction Exemption program, particularly pertaining to events, the timelines for the announced funding and training, along with treatment of multi-purpose venues and facilities. We also asked for consideration to extend SMERG and highlighted challenges within certain sectors, as well as the challenges in recognizing vaccine passports from other provinces. The success of these consultations has already been demonstrated in the recent announcements of the REP funding for businesses to implement the REP program, as well as funding for training programs. We were also pleased to see some changes to certain industries to participate in the REP program, such as Mall Food Courts who were being unfairly excluded from the program. From what we heard, the funding application portal and training programs should be ready in November. We hope these ongoing consultations will continue to provide Government with insight into the challenges businesses face on the ground and the opportunity to adjust based on the feedback received. If you have questions, please email policy@medicinehatchamber.com.
Listening to rural communities
Associate Minister Nate Horner will hold online meetings with rural businesses across various sectors, including business associations, chambers of commerce, Indigenous- and Métis-owned businesses, and industry and community leaders, to hear their ideas on how to ensure Albertans from every corner of the province benefit from Alberta’s Recovery Plan. As your local Chamber of Commerce, we look forward to engaging in these discussions and providing updates, survey links and information to you as they become available. You can find out more here.
Alberta business innovation and growth study
In collaboration with McLeod Law LLP, Growth Compass and Mount Royal University are launching a business innovation and growth study to uncover the innovative practices that businesses across Alberta are deploying to achieve growth. Share the steps you are taking to strengthen your business and gather new insights from your peers while being entered to win prizes!
Survey link: https://mtroyalbusiness.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9HV9CrxJwKXwHsO
In return for 15 of your time, you will:
- Be entered into a prize draw (see prizes below)
- Receive a copy of the final report detailing innovation and growth best practices
- Receive a personal invitation to the results launch, where you will network with like-minded founders and business leaders
- Have your voice heard on the enablers and inhibitors of innovation and growth
YOU could win one of these AMAZING prizes!
- A Mountain Getaway - a national park weekend for two in beautiful Banff.
- Hockey Tickets - a set of 4 hockey tickets to a Calgary Flames game of your choice.
- Apple Watch - a brand new Apple Watch series 5.
Alberta Perspectives: Municipal Red Tape Reduction Survey
Sharing your insights will take approximately 6 minutes and will help our provincial Chamber network advocate on behalf of your business with local and provincial governments. Take the survey now
Next Level Events
2021 Leadership Lunch-In (Virtual)
Join us for our annual Leadership Lunch-In bringing together representatives from all levels of government in our region. Connect with us, and our elected leaders, in an open dialogue and capitalize on the chance to influence the conversation. Evolving from the annual Mayor’s Breakfast, we will bring together our MP, MLA’s, Mayors from Medicine Hat, Redcliff and the CAO of Cypress County and Base Commander from CFB Suffield for a town hall style event that will offer our members an opportunity to connect with their elected representatives and gain insight into their activities. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions on issues that are of importance to them. This event provides an avenue to have an open dialogue with those that are in decision making positions.
Tuesday, November 9th 2021
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Other Events
October 26 | Understanding Canada’s Anti-spam Legislation (CASL)
October 28 | BBB: Cyber Risk Demystified
ICYMI: StartUp Canada Small Business Week - On Demand Video Series
Useful Links
Find more updates on our social media
