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Your Weekly Tune Up

Albertans are encouraged to nominate remarkable citizens, leaders and innovators for membership in the Alberta Order of Excellence

Up to 10 individuals will be inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence this year in recognition of remarkable contributions to their community, the province and beyond. Nominations are accepted year-round but must be received by Feb. 15 to be considered for investiture this year. Nominations not selected in 2022 will be considered for up to three years.

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Federal Government extends loan forgiveness repayment deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account

The Federal Government announced the repayment deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans to qualify for partial debt forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023.Repayment on or before the new December 31, 2023 deadline will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the loan value (up to $20,000). Outstanding loans would then convert to two-year term loans starting January 1, 2024 and due on December 31, 2025, with interest of five percent per annum.

The Government also announced the repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is extended to December 31, 2023. Click here for more information.

Carbon tax: Is your business compliant?

As a small business or organization, you might be required to register and report on Canada’s carbon tax – or face substantial penalties. Any business that owns a large commercial vehicle which crosses into multiple provincial jurisdictions might have carbon tax registration and filing obligations (see our insight What is a carbon tax). This includes construction companies hauling equipment across a territorial border, and sports teams bussing their members from one province to another. Smaller businesses or other organizations which travel across provincial or territorial borders might not be aware of their obligations – and could face substantial penalties for non-compliance.

Find out more.

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Accelerated Tech immigration pathway

The Accelerated Tech Pathway will provide a fast track to permanent residence for highly skilled tech professionals who want to live and work in Alberta. It is part of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, a federal-provincial program that nominates individuals for permanent residence in Alberta if they have skills to fill job shortages or are planning to buy or start a business in Alberta.

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Changes to COVID-19 testing eligibility

Due to rising demand for PCR tests, testing eligibility will now be focused on those who have clinical risk factors for severe outcomes and those who live and work in high-risk settings. View the Covid 19 Self-Care Guide for more information.

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How to Issue ROEs for COVID-related Employment Interruptions 

If you have employees who stopped working because of a lockdown as a result of COVID-19, you must issue their records of employment (ROEs) as soon as possible. If you have already issued their ROEs, you do not need to issue a new one. You can use ROE Web to issue ROEs online rather than completing paper forms. This can speed up the processing of your employees’ EI benefits.

When you complete the employee’s ROE, indicate why the employee stopped working in block 16 (reason for issuing this ROE). When the employee:

  • is no longer working due to a shortage of work because the business has closed or decreased operations due to COVID-19, use code A (shortage of work). Do not add comments;
  • is sick or quarantined, use code D (illness or injury). Do not add comments;
  • refuses to come to work but is not sick or quarantined, use code E (quit) or code N (leave of absence), as appropriate. Avoid adding comments unless absolutely necessary.

Find out more on How to complete the record of employment (ROE) form

Fuelling Our Business Community

2022 Home & Leisure Tradeshow

Each year the Chamber invests time and resources into creating a quality trade show for our community, and we are proud to host not only the longest-running, but the largest trade show in Medicine Hat. With thousands of consumers visiting the shows over the course of three days these trade shows give an incredible opportunity to gain exposure for your business, demonstrate and sell products, and showcase your services. And as an added bonus, Chamber members receive 10% off the price of trade show booths!

Friday, March 4, 2022 12:00 PM - Sunday, March 6, 2022 4:00 PM

View Event Details

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Enriching Your Business

Exclusive Insurance Discounts with BrokerLink Insurance

BrokerLink Insurance offers Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce members exclusive discounts on your personal home and auto insurance. Through this group insurance plan, MHCC members benefit from comprehensive coverage, competitive rates, and insurance that is customized to fit your needs.

Who are we? We live and work in the same communities as you. Our kids go to the same schools, and we drive on the same roads. We know what kind of insurance you need because your needs are just like ours. Since 1991, we have had a vision: to build a network of trusted insurance brokers across the country, working directly in the communities we serve including Medicine Hat.

BrokerLink is one of Canada’s largest and most reliable insurance brokerages. In addition, we’re not tied down to just one provider, giving you access to the right coverage at the best rates from the most reputable insurance companies in the industry.

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As a valued member of the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce, we are happy to provide you with a free, no-obligation insurance quote. Our experienced insurance advisors will take the time to answer your questions and make sure you’re prepared for any situation.

Also, ask about commercial insurance. We are proud to offer customized insurance packages to fit all your business needs.

Rest Assured, BrokerLink Has You Covered*

To learn more and for your free, no-obligation quote, call us at 403-527-4444 or visit  BrokerLink.ca/MHCC

* Subject to policy conditions and exclusions. ©2021 Brokerlink Inc. ™BrokerLink & Design is a trademark of Brokerlink Inc. All rights reserved.

Apex_TechAccelerators

Accelerate Innovation

Transform your business faster with the Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program. Accelerators intensify learning experiences by compressing years of experiential learning into a few months: access coaching, community, capital and globally tested scaleup and pitch practices. Test, iterate and validate your product.

Ideal applicants are early-stage or growing companies engaged in innovation and novel technology development. Learn more about the Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program at www.apexalberta.ca/tech-accelerators. Transform your product or service faster with the Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program, funded by Alberta Innovates.

The Rise OF Investment in Agrifood Tech WEBINAR – January 27, 10:00 AM

Expert panel comprised of Laura Kilcrease, CEO of Alberta Innovates, Alison Sunstrum, General Partner, Food & Agtech Fund at The 51 and Rebbecca Clarke, Vice President & Treasurer at Farm Credit Canada will chat with THRIVE CEO, John Hartnett to discuss recent trends, future opportunities, and emerging developments in Canadian AgriFood Tech investments.

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See all our Value Added Benefits!

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Mentoring newcomers for success in Alberta’s workforce

  • Funding of $1 million is available through the Alberta Immigrant Mentorship Innovation Grant, which will support organizations in delivering career mentorship programs that help newcomers find meaningful employment based on their work experience, education and skills. Eligible organizations can apply until Feb. 14. Grant funding will be provided for up to three years, from April 2022 to March 2025.

CanExport SME

  • 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. Opening Jan 10, 2022

Support for businesses implementing REP

  • Eligible organizations participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) can now apply for a $2,000 grant to help offset some of the implementation costs

Tourism Relief Fund

  • Product development/Development and enhancement of tourism experiences to help tourism businesses adapt to the ‘new normal’, to modernize tourism offerings and to help the sector adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.

Women Innovators Southeast (WISE)

  • The APEX Regional Innovation Network partnership is now accepting applications for female entrepreneurs, or those who identify as female, who want to start or scale up a technology, or knowledge-based business.

Innovation Canada – Accelerated Growth Service (Attached)

  • Innovation Canada’s programs and services, including the AGS, are designed to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada’s economy. They work with colleagues and partners across the innovation and investment ecosystems to help businesses develop effective strategies and growth plans by connecting them with the right partners, programs and services they need to grow. In the AGS program they are looking for incorporated Canadian companies with year-over-year revenue growth, especially over the past three years, who are export and innovation-focused, generating at least $3-5 million annually and have the capacity and willingness to grow.   

Advocacy in Action

A Snapshot of Canada’s Tax Competitiveness

The Canadian Chamber’s newest report explores how Canada’s tax policies affect our ability to compete with the United States, specifically when it comes to attracting investment for projects like vaccine production, EV battery manufacturing and critical mineral extraction. Want to see how it all plays out?

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Check out what the Canadian Chamber has been up to

This snapshot in time provides a wide-ranging indication of what happened over the last quarter of 2021 and includes various communication campaigns and advocacy initiatives, including highlighting topics on taxation, transportation and infrastructure, the regulatory environment, agriculture and workforce strategies, amongst other issues.

Have Your Say: The Exemptions from and Modifications to Hours of Work Provisions Regulations for federally regulated sectors

The Government of Canada is updating labour standards for federally-regulated sectors including road transportation, postal and courier, marine and grain sectors. The published document from September 1, 2021 will come into force on February 1, 2022. The proposed regulations for the remaining sectors – air and rail transportation, banking and telecommunications and broadcasting – are now published in Part I of the Canada Gazette for a 60‑day comment period. You have until February 23, 2022 to provide feedback.

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Next Level Events

2022 State of the City Save the Date

2022 State of the City

The annual State of the City event is where you can learn about the City's progress over the past year and get informed about what's in store for the community in 2022. Join us as we reflect on the accomplishments of our community during a tumultuous 2021, and be the first to hear what the City of Medicine Hat has in store for the coming year including exciting new projects, opportunities for development, and vision for the future.

This event will be held at the Medicine Hat Lodge February 22nd, 2022. Doors will open at 11:15am followed by lunch and the event from 12:00-1:30pm. Tickets for this event are $56 + gst which include your meal and registration. If you are a Chamber Member please remember to log in during registration to take advantage of your discount!

Register Now!

Connect to Innovation in Southeast Alberta

Our dependency on digital communication and information access has increased exponentially over the last 18-months. And many of our new-formed habits and expectations are here to stay—especially our expectations around online and on-demand options for meeting together, learning and acquiring information.

The Connector project is one of the ways that APEX Alberta, together with their project partners and collaborators is seeking to answer this need. It's an opportunity to tell our stories and connect entrepreneurs, students, and industry to our region's programs, advisors, and networks.

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Whenever we've asked the question, "how do we better support entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship?" We hear similar feedback and comments.  Provide services, training, and mentorship.  Provide programming tailored toward specific industry groups and stages of business.  Provide networking opportunities.

And these are not unique sentiments when we look at the broader research on supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Connector is one project that contributes toward achieving a more connected entrepreneurship ecosystem.  The Connector is an open, virtual tool intended to connect our region's innovators, entrepreneurs, and students with our economic development and innovation assets. This virtual space showcases the innovation in our region and the industry, advisors and supports that make it possible to bring business ideas to life.

Join us for the launch of The Community Innovation Connector on Tuesday, February 1st from 12 – 1 PM, where we will take you through the virtual space and introduce you to this new virtual tool.

For more information and register, visit https://theconnector.eventbrite.ca

The Community Innovation Connector is brought to you in partnership by the following organizations.

Our APEX Alberta Core Partners, Alberta Innovates, Community Futures Entre-Corp Business Development, and Medicine Hat College.

And our Project Partners, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) – Suffield Research Centre, City of Medicine Hat, and Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce.

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