Your Weekly Tune Up
City of Medicine Hat - MHS-11 Substation: Preferred and Alternate Site
The City of Medicine Hat has determined a preferred and alternate site for the proposed MHS-11 Substation to support the growing electrical needs of the southwest area of the City and distribution area. The City of Medicine Hat has identified two possible locations for the project, one preferred and one alternate. Both will be presented for regulatory review and, if approved, only one will be constructed. Find out more.
Federal pre-budget consultations
The Government of Canada launched pre-budget consultations.
Pre-budget consultations are a way for Canadians from across the country to share their ideas and priorities. Canada wants to hear from people on how to create new jobs and build a greener, more competitive, more innovative, more inclusive, and more resilient Canada.
Join the conversation by answering their questionnaire or by uploading a submission.
Improving client experiences and modernizing Canada’s immigration system
The Government of Canada proposed $85 million in new funding to reduce application inventories and welcome people who can help address Canada’s labour shortages and support our recovery. Read more. Also, the 2021 consultation period of the 2022-24 Immigration Levels Plan and Responsive Economic Immigration is now closed. The 2021 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration will be released in February 2022.
There is also new online engagement platform, Let’s Talk Immigration. You can familiarize yourself with the platform and find key insights and important immigration data captured from public opinion research from all across the country. You can also check out the #ImmigrationMatters toolkit.
Do you have feedback on immigration issues? The Chamber will be meeting with Minister Shandro on February 8th. Minister Shandro would like feedback from the business community in order to inform the upcoming Premier's summit on fairness for newcomers and we would love to hear from you.
Quick Check Up
Fuelling Our Business Community
Celebrating Local Business!
Would you like to be recognized on the provincial stage? Was your business part of our 2021 business awards celebration of nominees and award winners?
We have good news, for our Chamber members, we automatically nominate you for the provincial awards through your submission to us. However, for any businesses that weren't part of the 2021 local Business Awards, there's still time until February 14. You can submit nominations for the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction in 14 award categories, including two new awards and help us recognize remarkable local businesses on the provincial stage.
Nominations are also open for the 30th Annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards! This year’s nomination campaign marks 30 years for the awards that provide national recognition for Canada’s most accomplished and impactful women entrepreneurs, whose successful businesses contribute significantly to the local, national and global economy. Nominate someone now.
Stay tuned...
and start making your list of amazing local business nominees for our local business awards nominations too so that we can celebrate once again in October 2022.
The Power of Community
February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day
Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities with this year's theme focused on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. If you have a story you would like to share with us, be sure to share it on social media and tag us. We always love hearing about the stories that have shaped our community and our history.
Enriching Your Business
Contact JoAnne Letkeman, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor, 403-504-2166 ext 1.
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Expansion of Eligibility for the Local Lockdown Program
As COVID-19 continues to spread and new regional public health restrictions were put in place to limit capacity, the government has temporarily expanded the Local Lockdown Program for periods 24 and 25. Under previous rules, employers must have faced a lockdown to be eligible for the lockdown program. This requirement has been temporarily expanded so employers can now also qualify for the program if they are subject to a qualifying partial (capacity-limiting) public health restriction. Businesses can qualify under the temporary expansion for periods 24 and 25 if:
• one or more of its locations is subject to a public health order that has the effect of reducing the entity's capacity at the location by 50 per cent or more, and
• activities limited by the public health order accounted for at least 50 per cent of the entity's total qualifying revenues during the prior reference period.
In addition, the current-month revenue loss threshold has decreased from 40 per cent to 25 per cent. The subsidy rate starts at 25 per cent for eligible organizations with a 25 per cent current-month revenue decline, increasing thereafter in proportion to current-month revenue loss up to a maximum rate of 75 per cent for those with a current-month revenue decline of 75 per cent or higher. These temporary changes will only be in effect from December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022 (Periods 24 and 25). The application portals for Period 24 of the business subsidy programs open on February 7, 2022, at 6:00 am EST.
Resources for the Local Lockdown Program
You’re Invited: An Overview of ERA’s Expanded Technologies Pilot
Join APEX and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at 12 pm MT for an introduction to ERA’s Expanded Technologies Pilot (ETP).
An extension of ERA’s Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program, ETP offers a new pathway for Alberta businesses to propose effective, commercially available technologies not currently supported through ESB that could offer high returns on investment.
During the webinar, members of the ESB support team and ERA staff will provide an overview of the program, walk through the program’s eligibility requirements and process, and answer questions during the Q&A session. Please pass the information along to any clients you have who may be interested in this new Pilot Program offered by ERA. Thank you!
Register today to learn how to empower your business with energy-efficient technologies.
Venture for Canada (VCF) Summer Interns
VCF is accepting applications for employers looking to hire summer interns. Each summer intern comes with an up to $7,000 wage subsidy, and applications will be accepted until April 1st, 2022. Learn more about program changes and hiring a Summer Intern.
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Other Resources
Check out last week's post for a full suite of funding along with our business resource page to fill up on funding.
Advocacy in Action
Upcoming Meetings with Government
We'll be meeting with the Honourable Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, as well as the Honourable Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children's Services within the next couple of weeks. While these are intended to be smaller, focused meetings to discuss our recent letters to the Ministers, we are open to hearing from you. If you have any business-related issues we should be aware of email us to let us know.
Open Letter: Ottawa Needs to Get Serious about Cybersecurity. Right. Now.
Falling victim to a cyber-attack is one of the things Canadians worry about most. Yet, our businesses, communities and infrastructure remain ill-prepared to meet the growing threat of cyber-attacks. In an open letter published this week, the Cyber.Right.Now campaign has called on the Government of Canada to seize the opportunity and make investments in cybersecurity innovation and resilience in Budget 2022.
Next Level Events
2022 Chambers Group Insurance Plan Lunch & Learn: Thursday, February 10th from 12:00-1:00pm.
Is your small or medium-sized business currently looking into a Group Health & Dental Benefit program? Or perhaps you are already enrolled in one but would like to research all of your options? Over 190 of your fellow members are already enjoying the benefits! Experiencing rate fluctuations? We will explain why and how it's done. Here is what you will learn: The difference between the Non Profit Chamber Plan and other insurers, most importantly how they calculate their renewals. How Pooling provides rate stability. Guaranteed Issue Plans. (No medical questions. Everyone approved). Types of coverage available: Long Term/Short Term Disability, Critical Illness, Business Overhead Coverage, Cost Plus, Employee Assistance Program and of course Health and Dental. We'll have you in and out in an hour! Register Here
Hosted by: JoAnne Letkeman Your Exclusive Medicine Hat Chamber Plan Advisor: Brightan Financial Strategies Inc.
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!
Other News
- Crestwood Rec Centre to reopen on February 7
- Nominations are now open to recognize the dedicated and energetic efforts of Albertans who serve seniors with a 2022 Minister’s Seniors Service Award. Deadline to apply is May 2, 2022.
- Rural Education Supplement and Integrated Doctor Experience (RESIDE) Program now open
- Candice Bergen voted interim Conservative leader after caucus ousts O'Toole
- Solving the Municipal Budget Mystery: Fiscal Accountability in Canada's Cities, 2021
- January Labour Force Survey: Minister Schweitzer
Other Resources
Canada Business App
New features on the Canada Business App to make it even easier to find government programs and services!
- Easy navigation to government programs and services
- Recommendations tailored to your business
- Personalized notifications straight to your phone
- Easy access to COVID-19 support and other programs and services
- Answers to help you start up, scale up and access new markets
Avoid last-minute delays and waiting on the phone at tax time
Tourism’s Big Shift: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry | Webinar on Demand and full report
Help Rebuild the Tourism Workforce: Join a New Working Group
Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
Labour Market Notes – Alberta labour market resilient
Other Events
Canada 360° Economic Summit | Feb 9 | Register
How to Think Like A Marketer | Feb 9 https://chinook-thinklikeamarketer.eventbrite.ca
Destination Canada’s plans for reengaging international visitor travel | Feb 10
Building a Canadian Strategy for Early COVID-19 Treatments | Feb 15
How to Write Copy for Your Website | Feb 16 https://chinook-writecopyforyourwebsite.eventbrite.ca
LinkedIn Inspiration: Marketing Solutions 101 | Feb 16
Join Postmedia Solutions and Jeff Lancaster from LinkedIn Canada on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 11:00AM MST to learn how to leverage LinkedIn Marketing Solutions to reach your target audience and grow your business. Register here
A Snapshot of Canada through the Pandemic and What to Expect Moving Forward | Feb 17
Budget Debrief for tech leaders | Feb 25
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is hosting a post-budget debrief for tech leaders with Minister Doug Schweitzer on Friday, February 25 at 8:30 a.m. The event will cover what this year's budget will mean for high-growth companies in Alberta. Registration is required
Moving the Dial on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Mining Industry | March 2
How to Create A Landing Page that Converts | Mar 2 https://chinook-createalandingpage.eventbrite.ca
Medicine Hat Tourism Town Hall | March 7 | Register
How to Setup Your Google Ads Account | Mar 9 https://chinook-setupgoogleads.eventbrite.ca
Google Ads: How to Use Keywords Efficiently | March 16 https://chinook-howtousekeywords.eventbrite.ca
How to Create Content with Canva | Mar 23 https://chinook-createwithcanva.eventbrite.ca
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