Your Weekly Tune Up
Alberta begins phase out of public health measures
Alberta began a three-step plan to phase out public health measures. On Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m., Alberta moved to step one, which includes the removal of the Restrictions Exemption Program and capacity limits on venues under 500 capacity, including libraries and places of worship, and allows for food and beverage consumption in seated audience settings for large events and entertainment venues. Mandatory masking for children and youth in schools, and for youth aged 12 and under in any setting will end Feb. 13 at 11:59 p.m. Further details of the steps and various guidelines can be located online.
City accepting proposals for Carbon Capture project for the Power Generation Plan
With this Request for Proposal, the City is seeking an Engineering Contractor to support them in conducting a Pre-FEED study focused in completing a licensor/vendor technology section process. As part of the services provided, the Engineering Contractor will evaluate reputable technology providers and proven commercial experience for carbon capture and assess the feasibility for the project.
The City of Medicine Hat is now accepting proposals for Conceptual Design and Cost Estimation for the Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) project for the Power Generation Plant. Read more.
Cypress County Draft Land Use Bylaw
Cypress County is pleased to announce that the most recent draft of the Land Use Bylaw and is now available for viewing on the Cypress County website www.cypress.ab.ca under the heading of ‘Government’. Please note that the County is also in the process of scheduling feedback engagement sessions, which will be held prior to bringing the document forward in the form of a Bylaw in March 2022. Further information in this regard is available on the website.
Quick Check Up
OHS Resource Portal
Visit the OHS Resource Portal for bulletins, infographics and webinars supporting workplace health and safety in Alberta.
Health and safety eNews
Receive a monthly e-newsletter with the latest Occupational Health and Safety news and events. Subscribe to eNews to receive bulletins with important OHS information, in addition to the monthly newsletter.
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
Big Marble Go Centre hosts Family Day Fest
Big Marble Go Centre will host an array of fun, family activities from 12 noon to 5 pm on Family Day, Monday, February 21
Admission to the Family Day Fest is free, courtesy of the Big Marble Farms naming sponsorship.
The following activities occur for the duration of the event:
Swimming & Wibit Sports Aqua Track, Public Skating Sponsored by Cash n Carry, Family Nerf Wars, Inflatable Alley, Tot Time, Floor Hockey, Yard Games, Puzzles, Games and Play Doh
Enriching Your Business
**Exclusive Offer Only Available for a Limited Time!**
This exclusive offer is only available for Chamber Members and you will not want to miss out! We are offering a 1 Month Banner Advertisement on our most viewed webpage!
For further information Email communications@medicinehatchamber.com or Call (403)5275214 ext. 225
Limited spots available, secure yours now!
Free Local Digital Supports Now Available!
No matter where you are in your digital transformation journey, our local Digital Service Squad Team is available,
and will work with you to find the right TOOLS & PRACTICES that will help you REACH & ENGAGE your customers.
For more information call us at (403) 528-2824 or visit us at https://entre-corp.albertacf.com/dep
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Get Connected with the Digital Economy Program (DEP)
This program is designed to help small businesses take their businesses online. This program, a partnership between Business Link and Digital Main Street, will help small businesses in Alberta undergo digital transformations and adopt eCommerce practices. DEP is open to home-based or commercial small businesses registered in Alberta with less than 50 employees.
The program consists of 2 parts: Digital Service Squads guiding businesses through digital transformation and ShopHERE powered by Google guiding businesses through launching and managing their online stores. Small businesses can apply to participate in one or both programs, free of charge. Find out which program is right for you.
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit and Local Lockdown Program Extended to March 12
Two key support programs will be extended by one month.
The Local Lockdown Program provides eligible employers affected by capacity restrictions of 50% or more with wage and rent supports of between 25-75% depending on the degree of revenue loss.
The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit provides $300 a week and is available to eligible workers affected by capacity restrictions of 50% or more. Read more.
Advocacy in Action
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce Policy Council
The Council works with and on behalf of our members to identify issues or barriers to growth for our business community and develops strategies and recommendations to resolve those challenges. In our continued effort to gain insight and input, we request your assistance in clearly defining issues or barriers that affect businesses in our region. Issues can be municipal, provincial or federal in nature.
Please take a moment to check out our existing key priorities: https://www.medicinehatchamber.com/our-voice/ and if you have anything new that we should be aware of you can also fill out the form on our website to submit an issue for consideration: https://chamber.medicinehatchamber.com/business-advocacy-submission.
Our Policy Council will be reconvening for 2022 to look at how we enhance our policy efforts moving forward. If you have interest in being involved in our efforts at a committee level, email us at policy@medicinehatchamber.com.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force
We have a long-standing commitment to upholding the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our team, our members and our Board of Directors are people from countless different backgrounds, working together with the goal of building our community to be as vibrant and prosperous as it can be. Our team values and highlights the importance of underrepresented groups, especially in the business sector of Southeastern Alberta.
This year we are proud to announce that we are taking an even more active stance on promoting these principles in our community, by the creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.
The goal of this task force is to create a united front of business owners, Chamber members and staff, as well as active citizens in order to promote the values and benefits of a diverse and fair workplace. The group will be dedicated to promoting action and change through the application of crowdsourcing ideas, political advocacy, and public engagement. The path towards addressing workplace prejudice is one that needs participation from everyone, and the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to be addressing these issues directly.
If you have any questions about our efforts please email policy@medicinehatchamber.com
Next Level Events
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!
The global supply chain: Turning crisis into opportunity
Expert insights on how to protect your business against disruptions now and in the future.
Live Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET to learn about:
- How supply chain disruptions and labour shortages have impacted Canada’s global business
- How to mitigate supply chain risks and manage future crises, including novel virus variants
- How to minimize risks and challenges through supply chain diversification
- How to use your existing supply chain to give your business a competitive edge
- What the future of supply chains looks like—and how you can be ready for it
Other News
Other Government of Alberta News including statements on the Coutts Border Blockade and Keystone XL
After an inflationary surge, will commodity prices stabilize in 2022?
Canadian economy surpassed its pre-pandemic level in November
CNN Business Fun Fact: Why every Costco product is called 'Kirkland Signature'
Other Resources
- What you need to know for the 2022 tax-filing season
- Weekly Economic Review
- Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
- How to Build the Best Business Plan Ever: Step-by-Step Guide, from RBC
- Understanding How Your Small Business Insurance Premiums are Tax Deductible
- On July 1, 2021, new Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) measures relating to the digital economy came into effect. As a result of these measures, many non-resident businesses and platform operators (both Canadian resident and non-resident) are having to revisit their GST / HST obligations, as well as the processes required to meet these obligations. Find out more.
Other Events
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
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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