Your Weekly Tune Up
Mid-year update: Strong economic recovery continues
According to the mid-year update, the province continues to see strong improvements in the economy, confirming that Alberta’s Recovery Plan to support job creation and broaden the economy is working.
Alberta has gained more than 103,000 jobs since the start of the year. According to the October jobs report, the unemployment rate fell to 7.6 per cent. Overall, it is forecast to average 8.8 per cent this year, down from 11.4 per cent in 2020. It is forecast to drop to 5.7 per cent in 2024.
Tightening rules on photo radar
Alberta’s government is restricting the use of automated traffic enforcement (ATE), putting the onus on municipalities to justify each location where photo radar is deployed.
Changes coming into effect in 2022 that will help everyday Albertans include:
- restrictions on photo radar use in transition zones and on residential roads with less than 50 km/h speed limits
- restrictions do not apply to school, playground or construction zones
- eliminating double ticketing within five minutes
- mandating all photo radar enforcement vehicles be clearly visible
- requiring rationale and data for sites to justify the use of photo radar
Updated workplace health, safety laws: Minister Shandro
Minister of Labour and Immigration Tyler Shandro issued the following statement on the updated Occupational Health and Safety Act and revised regulations taking effect on Dec. 1:
“Hard-working Albertans go to their jobs every day expecting to come home safely at the end of their shifts. That is why Alberta revised its OHS laws so they are easy to understand, follow and involve everyone." - Minister Shandro
Quick Check Up
Boosting vaccine development in Alberta
Alberta’s government is growing the province’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector by funding four COVID-19 vaccine proposals.
As part of the government’s commitment to grow Alberta’s and Canada’s vaccine capacity, government is providing up to $81.2 million to fund four proposals for vaccine development and manufacturing. This will help in the fight against COVID-19 and future infectious disease outbreaks while growing Alberta’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Read more
Expanded availability of third doses of COVID-19 vaccine will help Albertans increase their protection against COVID-19.
Starting Dec. 2, all Albertans aged 60 and older can book appointments for a booster dose of mRNA vaccine six months after receiving their second dose. First appointments will be available beginning Dec. 6.
All other Albertans aged 18-plus will be notified when the next age group is able to book appointments. Additional age groups will be announced as quickly as possible.
Fuelling Our Business Community
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!!
Starting on December 9th Santa will be going local for 12 Business Days of Giveaways!
Our goal with this giveaway campaign is to encourage people to shop local this Christmas season! #Santagoeslocal Each giveaway is donated by an amazing local business and will be different each day! Participants can be entered by commenting on our daily Facebook posts up until Christmas. You can also be entered by posting a photo of your local purchase and using hashtag #santagoeslocal and tagging us.
When you win!!! Claim your prize by presenting a receipt from a purchase made at a local business!
We look forward to spreading some holiday cheer and makes sure you are shopping local this Christmas season!
The Power of Community
Expanding access to inclusive post-secondary education
As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the government is honouring its $2-million platform commitment to help more students with developmental disabilities pursue post-secondary education. The expansion of the Inclusive Post-Secondary Education and Transitional Vocational programs will help more Albertans with developmental disabilities reach their educational goals and prepare for the workforce. Alberta’s government currently supports more than 248 post-secondary students with developmental disabilities. Read More
Enriching Your Business
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Advocacy in Action
Promoting Alberta’s energy industry in the U.S.
Energy Minister Sonya Savage will travel to the United States to promote Alberta’s energy sector to international decision-makers, investors and state legislators from Dec. 5-12.
Participation at both the WPC and Energy Council Conference provides opportunities to promote Alberta as a supplier of responsible, secure, reliable and affordable energy. Minister Savage will meet with U.S. and other government officials, as well as energy industry executives. The minister will encourage conference delegates to attend the 24th World Petroleum Congress, scheduled to take place in Calgary in 2023. Read More
Have your say about Budget 2022
Alberta’s government is asking Albertans to help set the direction of the upcoming budget. After more than a year of historic economic challenges, Alberta is once again poised to lead the nation in economic growth. Budget 2022 is an opportunity to continue improving the province’s finances. Albertans can share their views and ideas for the next budget by filling out an online survey and joining telephone town halls with Finance Minister Travis Toews. Read More
Next Level Events
You’re Invited: Boost your Business With the Energy Savings for Business Program
Looking to make your business more cost-and energy-efficient?
Join APEX and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) on Wednesday December 8, 2021, at 12 pm MST for a roundtable session on ERA’s Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program.
ESB is helping Alberta’s businesses decrease operating costs, grow their operations, and become more competitive, while reducing emissions, creating skilled jobs and boosting economic recovery. Businesses can receive fast access to up to $1 million in incentives for a wide range of high efficiency technologies like lighting and HVAC, thanks to the program’s streamlined application process.
Members of the ESB support team and ERA staff will walk through the program requirements, provide an overview of eligible technologies, and answer questions during the roundtable. Then, in the New Year, we’ll host another session to discuss how businesses looking to install or working on high-efficiency technologies that are not on the Eligible Measures List can get involved in the program.
Register today to learn how to empower your business with energy-efficient technologies. We hope you’re able to join us!
Other News
- The City of Medicine Hat is looking for volunteers for the Adopt-a-Rink program
- MLA Neudorf to promote trade with U.S. legislators
- Alberta adds Zolgensma to drug coverage program
- Alberta is expanding its presence in the United States by opening international offices in Chicago, Ill., Denver, Colo. and Seattle, Wash.
Other Resources
- ACC & Government of Alberta on a second hiring intentions survey.
- Mini-guide to help employees’ mental health through winter
- Avoid last minute delays at tax time by setting up My Account
- Key performance indicators (KPIs): How to set the right metrics for your business
- 7 deadly sins in borrowing money for your business
- Tourism’s Big Shift: New Report Identifies Key Trends Shaping Canada’s Tourism Sector
Other Events
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